Istanbul Special (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport
Arrive at Ataturk airport and enjoy an included transfer to your centrally located hotel. At approximately 5:30pm (based on your arrival schedule) we will meet for a walking tour. Walking itinerary is based on your hotel location; Pera district near Taksim and Istiklal Street or Sultanahmet (old city) district.

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

Choice-1: Along Istiklal (the famous pedestrian walking street) from Taksim to Galatasaray: Some of the noteworthy places we will see include the French & Greek Consulates, the Greek Orthodox Church (Hagia Triada), the Armenian Catholic Church (Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan), The Flower Passage, The Produce & Fish Market as well as Galatasaray High School. While walking, we will stop to taste some of the local “street food” and your guide will point out some restaurants that you may enjoy for dinner.

Choice-2: In Sultanahmet district: Some of the noteworthy places we can see (based on your hotel location) include the Little Hagia Sophia (formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus), Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque, the Hippodrome with Sarpent Column, Obelisk of Thutmosis-3, Walled Obelisk, The Remains of the Sphendone, and The neo-Byzantine German Fountain, Hurrem Sultan Bath, Hagia Sophia, The Million Stone, and The Burnt Column. While walking, we will stop to taste some of the local “street food” and your guide will point out some restaurants that you may enjoy for dinner.

Day 2: Istanbul
Begin the morning with an extensive tour of Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Later we stop at Sirkeci Railway Station (last stop of the Orient Express), before visiting the Spice Market, a wonderful place to buy edible gifts such as nuts, coffee and Turkish Delight.. After some free time for lunch we enjoy a Bosphorus cruise for about an hour along the shores of the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, disembarking at Uskudar, one of the largest towns on the Asian side of the Strait. We will visit the produce & fish market and view the Mihrimah Sultan’s Mosque as well as Maiden’s Tower in Salacak. Return to your hotel with a steamboat ride of twenty minutes, crossing the Bosphorus from Uskudar to Kabatas. (B)

Day 3: Istanbul
This morning, we visit more iconic sites in Istanbul, including the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.
In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Bazaar then drive over the Galata bridge to the Tophane area to see the “Museum of Innocence”, created by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Have a walking tour again late this afternoon: this time from Galatasary to Pera. Noteable buildings along the way include the British Consulate, St. Antoine's Catholic Church, the Consulates of the Netherlands, Russia and Sweden, Galata Whirling Dervish Hall, the Tunel area, The Galata Tower and Neve Shalom Synagogue. We end our walk at The Pera Palace Hotel and have a short drive back to the hotel. Those who wish to stay, may dine on their own at many local restaurants such as Kivahan or Guney (Turkish / Ottoman cuisine), Fureyya small fish restaurant or The Pera Palace Hotel’s Agatha Restaurant and can walk or taxi back to the hotel on their own. (B)

Day 4: 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 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:
• The Princess Islands: Buyukada
• 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 Museum of the Rahmi Koc (especially for families with children)
• 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
• Cukurcuma area with antique stores

Try:
• An authentic Turkish bath (Hamam)
• Shopping at the Spice Market and Antique Bazaar section in Grand Bazaar
• Authentic Nargile (Turkish tobacco water pipe)
• Sultan’s Kayik (boats) ride 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
• Kanaat Restaurant in Uskudar for traditional home cooking
• Haci Abdullah Restaurant on Istiklal Street
• Kebabs and Lahmacun (Turkish pizza) at Seyhmuz Restaurant near the Grand Bazaar
• Akcanlar Restaurant near Taksim
• Sea food at Giritli restaurant or Balikci Sabahattin in Ahirkapi (near Sultanahmet)
• Imroz Restaurant near Istiklal street
• Sevic Restaurant in the Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage) on Istiklal Street
• Turkish desserts at Saray Muhallebicisi in Eminonu (near the Spice market)
• Ice cream or sahlep (a hot winter drink) at Mado on Istakal StreetBaklava 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.