HIGHLIGHTS OF ISTANBUL - PRIVATE TOUR

Description

Travel back in time as you visit some of Istanbul's gems and discover the history of Roman Byzantium, Byzantine Constantinople and Ottoman Istanbul as you explore the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. An experienced local guide will provide you with a wealth of fascinating information on the history and culture of this ancient city.

The first stop is the Hippodrome. This circus dating from Roman times was originally used for chariot racing and other public events and eventually became the social and cultural heart of Constantinople, the scene of riots, palace intrigues, love affairs and horse races throughout Byzantine history.

Next, visit the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque due to its decoration with more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. This splendid building with its six minarets has dominated the Istanbul skyline ever since its construction by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century. Continue as you head to Hagia Sophia, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Having been used as both a Christian cathedral and a mosque, this vast and intricate building is now a fascinating museum.

From here, make the way to the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of streets and narrow passageways where you will find over 4000 shops and stalls with separate areas for different crafts. This is an ideal place to stock up on traditional Turkish handicrafts such as colourful hand-painted earthenware and hand-burnished copper, brass and onyx.

The tour will end with a visit to the impressive Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. This sumptuous building houses an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewelry, royal thrones, and vestments as well as wonderful Ottoman-style miniatures. At its peak, the palace was a mysterious city within a city, home to as many as 4,000 people, covering a large area with an extensive shoreline along the Bosphorus.

Istanbul Highlights: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar (8 hours)
Itinerary
1. The Hippodrome Square
2. Blue Mosque
3. Hagia Sophia
4. The Grand Bazaar
5. Topkapi Palace
6. Little Hagia Sophia Mosque

What is included?

Entrance to St Sophia

Wifi on board

Guide

Venue

Meeting point: Hotel pick-up from the Old City and the New City areas only // Meeting point instructions: If your hotel is not located in these areas, please make your way to the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus (Hotel reception), Harbiye Mahallesi, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:50, 34367 Şişli/ Istanbul

Instructions

Meeting point: Hotel pick-up from the Old City and the New City areas only // Meeting point instructions: If your hotel is not located in these areas, please make your way to the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus (Hotel reception), Harbiye Mahallesi, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:50, 34367 Şişli/ Istanbul. Please confirm the time and pick-up location 24 hours prior to the activity by calling the following telephone number: +90 212 247 50 44. Please ensure you arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time // Duration: 8 hours // Inclusions: Guide. Lunch in a local restaurant. Transport by A/C non-smoking deluxe vehicle. Hagia Sophia entrance. Topkapi Palace entrance fee. Wifi on board. Pick-up and drop-off available for selected hotels only // Exclusions: Any additional expenses which are not included or detailed in the programme. All personal expenses. Tickets to the Harem at Topkapi Palace. Drinks // Mandatory instructions: Make sure you have answered the mandatory questions during the booking process to ensure correct service provision. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and the visit will be replaced with authentic shops around Grand Bazaar. Mosques are closed on Fridays, there will only be external visits to the Mosques. Remember to bring a valid photo ID with you // Type of voucher: Printed Voucher. Print and bring the voucher to enjoy the activity.

Starting points
A.Turkey
 Pick-up available from both the Old City and the New City areas. If your hotel is not located in these areas, please make your way to the meeting point: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus (Hotel reception), Harbiye Mahallesi, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:50, 34367 Şişli/ Istanbul. Please contact the supplier at least 24 hours in advance to reconfirm the pick-up time.  Please ensure you arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. 

End point
· Same as Starting Point

Others:
As mosques are closed on Fridays, there will only be external visits on that day.
When Hagia Sophia (Mondays) or the Topkapi (Tuesdays) are closed, the underground Basilica Cistern will be visited

Be sure to answer all mandatory questions during the booking process.