ISTANBUL TOURS - SMALL GROUP FULL-DAY TOUR DEPARTURES (YEAR ROUND)

*See the highlights and the back streets of the “real” Istanbul
*Small Group Tours are limited to 10 passengers (minimum 3 passengers total required for departure)
*Lunches in cozy local restaurants with fresh quality food
*Informative and enthusiastic professional local guides
*Our tours have a more relaxed atmosphere- not a lot of hassle!
*Hotel and tour packages available for Istanbul and other areas of Turkey.


SULTANAHMET TOUR (TOUR CODE: AA01)
DAILY DEPARTURES
Visit the Saint Sophia (Haghia Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets. We continue to the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. We will also visit the Caferaga Medresesi which was a school designed by the famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now used for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We will have lunch and continue with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum originally built as the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 with fine examples of Islamic Calligraphy, tiles and carpets. Then we will explore the Topkapi Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see the Imperial Treasury with the famous Spoonmaker Diamond. Also the Baghdad Kiosk, the Armory with its collection of Ottoman weapons and a fine collection of ceramics. (Harem section is optional and due an extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of treasures Return to your hotel around 17:30. (LUNCH INCLUDED)
*Note that on Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed, on Monday the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum and St Sophia are closed and on Tuesday the Topkapi Palace is closed (All sights except for Grand Bazaar are replaced by a visit to the Yerebatan Underground Cistern)  

BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE PALACE TOUR (TOUR CODE: AB01)
SUN/TUE/WED/FRI
You will first see the “Egyptian” Spice Market, which stands near the mouth of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The market was built in the 17th century A.D. and is still a thriving place with spices and souvenirs of all types. We will also visit the beautiful Iznik tile overed Rustempasa Mosque, which was built by the architect Sinan in 1560 for the grand vizier of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. We embark on our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that divides Europe from Asia and leads to the Black Sea. From the ship you will see beautiful mosques, palaces, new luxury villas, very old Ottoman houses and the Rumeli Fortress. We end our cruise, cross the Bosphorus Bridge then head for the Camlica Hill viewpoint over Istanbul where you can also see the Princes’ Islands and the Marmara Sea. Then we continue to the “Selamlik” chambers of the incredible 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace. The tour ends with a visit to the charming seaside suburb of Ortakoy. Return to your hotel around 17:00.
*Notes: Cruise may be done by regular or private boat - Spice Market is closed Sunday.(LUNCH INCLUDED)

BYZANTINE CITY WALLS AND CHORA TOUR (TOUR CODE: AC01)
MON/THU/SAT
Today we will see Istanbul’s Byzantine City Walls that were for the most part built during the 5th century by Emperor Theodosius and are 8 km long. Built near the walls and the Marmara Sea is the Castle of the Seven Towers which was used as a prison during Byzantine and Ottoman periods and was situated near the famous Golden Gate We continue to the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) with its 14th century mosaics and frescoes with scenes from the Bible and then the Tekfur Palace (view only) built during the 13th century, it is the only Byzantine Palace still standing today. We will also see Hancerli Church, a small Greek Orthodox church which is still functioning. After lunch we continue to Eyup Imperial Mosque (view from outside). It is one of the most holy places in Istanbul and the burial place of Eyub el-Ensari, who was the standard bearer of the Prophet Mohammed. We then take a Cable Car up to Pierre Loti Hill where you will get a beautiful view of the Golden Horn and can enjoy a tea or coffee in the famous Pierre Loti Café. We end the tour with a short cruise on the Golden Horn. Return to your hotel around 17:00 (LUNCH INCLUDED)

GROUP TOURS INCLUDE
*All full-day small group tours include entry fees and lunch
*Pick up and drop off at your hotel, but some tours may be done as a walking tour
*Transportation in A/C non-smoking car or minibus with professional English speaking guide and driver and ferry if needed.

GROUP TOURS DO NOT INCLUDE:
Beverages, tips and items of a personal nature. Please add 6% for any amount paid by credit card.
 

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOURS?
All full-day tours include lunch and entry fees
Pick up and drop off at your hotel, but some tours may be done as a walking tour
Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi bus with professional English speaking guide and professional driver.
NOT INCLUDED: Dinner, drinks, tips and items of a personal nature.

10 Passengers maximum. You may extend your stay in Istanbul before or after a tour.
 

ISTANBUL TOURS
	Regular Group Istanbul Tours
	Private Istanbul Tours
	Istanbul Packages
	Whirling Dervishes
	Turkish Night