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(07 Nights / 08 Days) Istanbul |
Day 1: |
Arrival to Istanbul airport & transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Hotel |
Day 2: |
Breakfast at hotel , take a Bosphorus Cruise Sightseeing Boat Trip * (2 hr boat ride) up Istanbul's winding straits for a chance to relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas - you'll see Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman summer mansions and Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge - one of the world's largest suspension bridges, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships and tankers. After a lunch break back on shore, we will visit the interior of the sumptuously decorated Dolmabahce Palace, the 19th century lavish Ottoman residence on the Bosphorus. Finally, the last stop on this Bosphorus river tour will be at the picturesque fishermen's village of Ortakoy, where you can enjoy a coffe |
Day 3: |
Breakfast at Hotel Take the ferry to one of the Princes' Islands, Buyukada (Big Island), which served as a place of exile for disgraced princes in days gone by. Today it is a quiet sea front town and summer holiday escape from the city. Leaving the Golden Horn you will round Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point), the headland on which the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque can be seen. Upon arrival to the island, you will see the lavish Ottoman mansions and other beautiful Victorian summer villas around the island by horse-drawn carriage tour - one of the islands only means of transport, for motor-vehicles are strictly prohibited. There are colorful fruit trees, beautiful gardens, wooded areas and exotic flowers to be seen everywhere. Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy sea-side fish restaurant and relax looking back at the domes and minarets among skyscrapers of modern Istanbul's skyline. This a perfect day for relaxing and enjoying one of Istanbul's residents' favorite summer retreats. Then Drive back to Hotel Overnight in Hotel |
Day 4: |
Breakfast at hotel Set off on the drive to Bursa (about 1.5-2 hours drive) outside of Istanbul. During the journey we stop off at one of Turkey's protected heritage sites under the slopes of Uludag Mountain - the traditional village of Cumalikizik, with idyllic countryside setting. Here you will enjoy a stroll around the charming old village center and see the wooden Ottoman houses of the hospitable locals. Following a lunch break, we continue on to Bursa itself, the first capital of the Ottomans. While exploring this small city you will see the Green Mosque & Tomb, the Grand Mosque, famous for its beautiful Seljuk wall calligraphy, the Silk Market and the Covered Bazaar. The return journey begins and we take a scenic route through the hills of Uludag and Mount Olympos. Then drive back to Istanbul & Overnight in Hotel |
Day 5: |
Breakfast at Hotel Start a City Tour of the old historical quarter starts after breakfast, when you are picked up from the hotel or port by our private guide. Begin with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its jewel encrusted treasury and elegant four courts. After a lunch break, visit the main sights around Sultanahmet Square, including the famous Hagia Sophia Museum, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years, and decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Then visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, take a stroll through the site of the ancient Hippodrome, once the sporting ground of chariots and political riots, and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colorful spices, beautiful jewelry and richly textured fabrics. Then drive back to your hotel ., Overnight in Hotel |
Day 6: |
Breakfast at hotel , Free day at leisure , Overnight in Hotel |
Day 7: |
Breakfast at hotel , Free day at leisure , Overnight in Hotel |
Day 8: |
Breakfast and transfer to Airport for departure |
The Program Includes: |
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The Program Excludes: |
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