Day 1 UK/Istanbul
Meet your travelling companions in the airport before your scheduled flight to Istanbul. On arrival, enjoy an included welcome drink at your centrally located hotel where you will stay for four nights.
Days 2 to 4 Istanbul
Straddling the strait of the Bosphorus, Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents – the main part of the city standing on the south-eastern tip of Europe and its suburbs in Asia. Meals: B/L (day 2) Meals: B (days 3 & 4)
The following excursions are included.
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, famous for its 21,000 blue ceramic tiles, and Hagia Sophia, built as a Christian church in the 6th century, which 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 covered Grand Bazaar to bargain for gold, gem stones and carpets.
The following excursions are optional:
Tokapi Palace, Rumeli Fortress & Bosphorus Cruise - Our excursion starts with a morning trip to explore the hidden gardens and courtyards in the Topkapi Palace. This is followed by a visit to Rumeli Fortress, a museum displaying canons used during the conquest of Istanbul. In the afternoon we take a boat trip along the Bosphorus to Beylerbeyi, then disembark and drive on to Çamlica, the highest point of Istanbul. We admire the wonderful views of the city whilst enjoying a Turkish tea or coffee, before crossing the Bosphorus Bridge back into Europe.
Spice bazaar & Golden Horn - Our morning excursion begins with a visit to the Egyptian spice bazaar, before driving along the Golden Horn 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.
Istanbul by Night - Enjoy a drive through the illuminated streets followed by dinner and a Turkish Floor Show featuring folk dancers, belly dancers and singers.
Day 5 Istanbul/UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.