Istanbul Special (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport
Private transfer to your hotel; orientation walking tour of the neighborhood with your private guide. Some good local restaurants can be pointed out for dinner this evening.

Ortakoy mosque and Bosphorus bridge - Istanbul

Flower passage - Beyoglu - Istanbul

Tram - Taksim square - Istanbul

Egyptian obelisk - Hippodrome - Sultanahmet

Grand Bazaar

Attend a performance of Whirling Dervishes

Day 2: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.
If you feel energetic enough, we are happy to expand the tour to include other interesting aspects hidden in the less touristy areas of the district. (B)

Day 3: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes Topkapi Palace and The Harem, the Spice Market, a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait for about an hour and a backroads walking tour. (B)

Day 4 & 5: Istanbul
At leisure to enjoy Istanbul on your own or custom optional tours available including visits to some of the places of interest mentioned below. (B)

Day 6: Istanbul - Homebound departure
Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk airport for your homebound flight. (B)

More to Do in Istanbul
Here are some special ideas and suggestions for you other than the highlights of the city. You can do them on your own or we can organize optional tours with some of these ideas for you on your free days.

See / Visit:
• Buyukada, of one of the five Prince's Islands
• The Galata Tower for a bird’s eye view over Istanbul
• The Flower Passage and fresh food market on Istiklal Street
• Leander’s Tower
• The Museum of Zulfaris Synagogue in Karakoy
• The Museum of the Church of St. Savior in Chora
• The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
• The Turkish & Islamic Art Museum
• The Museum of Modern Art at Tophane (Istanbul Modern)
• The seafront neighbourhood of Ortakoy
• Cross under the Galata Bridge by foot to see the fisherman and the lively restaurant scene
• Garden of Green House (Yesil Ev) hotel in Sultanahmet to have tea

Try:
• An authentic Turkish bath (Hamam)
• Shopping at the Spice Market and Antique Bazaar section in Grand Bazaar
• Authentic Nargile (Turkish tobacco water pipe)
• A ride with historical Sultan’s Kayiks (boats) on the Golden Horn

Attend:
• A Whirling Dervish performance
• The daily performance of the Ottoman janissary band at the Military museum
• Authentic handicraft lessons like marbling, calligraphy, embroidery and tile painting at Caferaga Medresesi
• A home hosted lunch with hands-on cooking experience

Taste:
• Traditional Turkish cuisine at Ciya Restaurant in the fresh food market of Kadikoy
• Traditional home cooking at Kanaat restaurant in Uskudar, Haci Abdullah restaurant on Istiklal Street,
   Hunkar restaurant in Nisantasi
• Kebabs and Lahmacun (Turkish pizza) at Seyhmuz Restaurant near the Grand Bazaar and Akcanlar
   restaurant in Taksim
• Sea food at Giritli restaurant or Balikci Sabahattin in Ahirkapi (near Sultanahmet) and Refik Restaurant
   near Istiklal street
• Turkish desserts at Saray Muhallebicisi in Eminonu (near the Spice market) and on Istiklal Street
• Ice cream or sahlep (a hot winter drink) at Mado on Istiklal Street and various locations
• Baklava at Güllüoglu Baklava in Karakoy

1. Accommodation:
   5 nights Istanbul: Hotel Ottoman Imperial (in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood) or similar.

2. Meals as indicated by (B, L, D) - B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
   5 Meals: 5 breakfasts.

3. Services of a private licensed, professional English-speaking guide throughout your trip.

4. All transfers and travel by private, modern, air-conditioned, chauffeur driven vehicles, appropriate to the size of your group.

5. All entrance fees to the sites and museums mentioned in the program.

6. Parking, ferry, and toll road fees. Not applicable if you are driving a rental car.

7. Gratuity at restaurants where a meal is included in the program.

8. Porterage fees at airports when our guide travels with you.

1. Airfare for international flights.

2. Beverages other than water during included meals.

3. Optional gratuities to the tour guide(s), driver(s).

4. Tipping for porters at hotels.

5. Travel insurance.

6. Visas, laundry, and personal items.