Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at the airport and transfer to the hotel for your stay. You have rest of day at leisure. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul – Full day city tour with local lunch
Today after breakfast proceed to enjoy a Full day tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents! Your tour includes Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. Continue to St Sophia the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as museum. Enjoy delicious Turkish lunch. Later your tour will take you to Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. Finally visit the Grand Bazaar, world famous shopping arcade with over 4,000 shops under one roof. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul – A Taste of Istanbul: Street Food Tour
After breakfast meet your guide at the Founders Hall Visitor Information Center and proceed to the public ferry for a ride across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul. First stop: the colorful and chaotic Kadikoy Market. Crammed with all manner of delicious edibles, from olives to bread to stuffed grape leaves, the market is bursting with fishmongers, fruit sellers, butchers and gourmet food shops. Snack on lamb-topped Turkish pizza, sugar-coated sweets or kebabs. From there, stroll across the low-lying Galata Bridge where, for generations, fishermen have been pulling in the daily catch. Stalls selling everything from jewelry to simits (Turkish bagels) line the bridge. On the other side, in the Beyoglu district, you’ll encounter Karakoy Gulluoglu, a shop that makes the best baklava in Istanbul. Eat this sweet delight, a Turkish pastry made of several layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey. Walk off your dessert by trekking up the hill to Galatasaray, a neighborhood that is home to Galatasaray S.K., one of Turkey’s most famous soccer teams. Jump on the tram on Istiklal Caddesi, the city’s grand bustling boulevard lined with shops and restaurants. Hop off and explore the street as your guide explains the area’s history and points out landmarks and famous buildings. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul – Day tour to Prince’s Island
After breakfast at the hotel we pick you up from your hotel by our coach and professional guide. We drive to Kabatas Port to embark public ferry boat to the islands. The Prince’s Islands are a combination of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. The Prince name comes from the fact that they were used as a place for exile for the palace members both during Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Princes, Nobles, Priests, Queens, Patriarchs were exiled to these islands. They were kept in the prisons and dungeons here Buyukada is the biggest and the most famous of Islands. There are some nice mansions, summer houses and historical buildings such as Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery from 6th century, Ayios Dimitrios Church, Hristos Church and Monastery, and Hamidiye Mosque built by Sultan Abdulhamit II. Phaetons (horse drawn carriages) and bicycles are used for touring around the island because motor vehicles are not allowed here. You will enjoy this old-fashioned journey! Since you will be on the island, the best meal can be a fish menu of course. You will taste delicious Turkish meals at a sea-side local restaurant by watching out Istanbul far away. In the afternoon we sail back to the city and you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 5: Istanbul – Departure
After breakfast it’s time to check out. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight or back home.
City | Deluxe | Premium |
---|---|---|
Istanbul | Grand Yavuz Hotel or similar | Crown Plaza Istanbul Old City Hotel or similar |
Inclusions
Exclusions
Price Per Person in Indian Rupees
Hotel | Start Date | End Date | Twin | Single |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deluxe | 01 Apr 2019 | 30 Sep 2019 | 36051 | 50011 |
Premium | 01 Apr 2019 | 30 Sep 2019 | 41426 | 60830 |