Istanbul City Break

Your itinerary

Day 1: UK/Istanbul

Meet your travelling companions in the airport before your scheduled flight to Istanbul. On arrival, get to know your fellow travellers over an included welcome drink. You will also enjoy dinner at your centrally located hotel this evening. Your hotel is your base for the next four nights.

Meals: Dinner

Days 2 - 4: Istanbul

Straddling the strait of the Bosphorus, Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents – the main part standing on the south-eastern tip of Europe and its suburbs in Asia. The European and Asian influences, evident throughout this fascinating city, create a unique and vibrant atmosphere.

Meals: B/L (day 2) Meals: B (days 3 & 4)

City tour

Our full-day included excursion begins with a drive to Sultanahmet Square, in the heart of the Old City. We will also visit the Theodosius Obelisk in the Hippodrome and the civic centre.

We continue to the Blue Mosque which casts its mighty shadow over the square – the mosque is an imposing structure, famous for its 21,000 blue ceramic tiles. We also visit Hagia Sophia which was originally built as a Christian church in the 6th century, later became a mosque and is now a museum. After an included lunch at a typical Turkish restaurant, it’s on to the Roman Underground Cistern, before reaching the famous Grand Bazaar where you can try out your bartering skills. The range of items on offer is extraordinary – you’ll find everything from vibrant fabrics and jewelled slippers to exquisite gold items, sparkling gemstones and luxurious carpets.

The following excursions are optional:

Topkapi Palace & Bosphorus Cruise

Our excursion starts with a morning trip to explore the hidden gardens and courtyards in the Topkapi Palace. The palace is a remarkable structure and it was given UNESCO world heritage status in the mid 1980s. After some time admiring the surroundings of the palace we will head to a local restaurant to enjoy lunch before we step aboard our boat that will take us on a cruise along the Bosphorus strait – the body of water that separates Europe from Asia. At Beylerbeyi we disembark and drive on to one of the highest points of Istanbul. Take time to relax and admire the wonderful views of the city whilst enjoying a traditional Turkish tea or coffee. We then cross the Bosphorus Bridge and re-enter Europe.

Spice bazaar & Golden Horn

Our morning excursion begins with a visit to the Egyptian spice bazaar where you will be amazed by the vibrantly coloured spices and the scents that fill the air. We then drive along the Golden Horn route to the Monastery of Chora to admire the beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in the Kariye Camii church. Next stop is the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, before driving on to the Pierre Loti Café with a fascinating view of the Golden Horn and returning to the hotel around midday to enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Istanbul by Night

Enjoy a drive through the illuminated streets of this majestic city followed by dinner and a Turkish floor show. The show promises to be a fascinating spectacle featuring a colourful and uplifting display involving folk dancers, belly dancers and singers.

Day 5: Istanbul/UK

This morning your adventure in Istanbul comes to an end and you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast