A full day with complimentary lunch exploring the Asian side of the city crossing the Bosphorous and visiting Camlica Hill, Beylerbeyi Palace and Baghdad street followed by a cruise of the Bosphorous, a great way to capture the ‘essence’ of this amazing city, passing by many of its’ famous sites.
Beginning with the Bosphorous Bridge, which connects the European and the Asian sides of Istanbul, this was built in built in 1973 and affords a spectacular view of Istanbul’s modern and ancient sites while travelling over 60 metres above sea level.
The highest point in Istanbul is Camlica Hill and we stop here for a panoramic view over the city provided that Istanbul chooses to show its beauties and blesses the visitors with a clear day. Moving on from here we visit Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the largest, lavishly furnished 19th century summer residences of the Ottoman sultans. The rooms are kept with their original furniture and visitors can imagine being house guests to the Imperial family.
Baghdad Street, once the grouping point for the merchants who were set to travel the ancient Silk Road, this popular street on the Asian side of Istanbul has elegant boutiques and shopping alternatives. This will be a perfect chance to see the urban lifestyle of modern Istanbul. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before the tour continues with a cruise of the Bosphorous.
Along this cruise, you will pass by the Rumeli Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror; Ortakoy, a very famous area for handicrafts and nightlife; Bebek, a popular wealthy residential district under the Ottoman rule, and continues to be so today; Besiktas, a commercial district of the new city; Dolmabahce, the magnificent 19th century palace, which was the home to the Ottoman Sultans in the last century of the Empire; Ciragan Palace, a magnificent marble palace built by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed and constructed by the Balyan family between 1863 and 1867; today it serves as luxury suites for the five star Kempinski hotel; Kizkulesi (Maiden’s Tower), an ancient lighthouse which has inspired many legends; Yali (wooden wealthy houses) constructed by the water’s edge of the Bosphorous and usually built with an architectural concept that takes into account the characteristics of the coastal location, mostly dating from the 19th century; Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the largest, lavishly furnished 19th century summer residences of the Ottoman Sultans.
A short visit to the Spice Market is the surprise of the tour. In this oriental shopping area, where you experience the vibrant pulse of Istanbul at its best, rare spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, live animals, flowers are sold. (Aphrodisiacs are available too!)
It is hard to believe that one would ever be willing to escape from Istanbul but the queen of all cities of the world is not a jealous lady, and she enables her lovers to take a short time off. One of the best places to spend this time is the Princes’ Islands, once a solitary place for monks and now a vivid summer attraction.
The small cruise to Buyukada, the largest and most famous amongst the Princes’ Islands, has a short stopover at some of the smaller inhabited ones, so you have a chance to see the unique composition of each island before arriving at Buyukada. Upon arrival you will have a short guided walking tour through the streets decorated with beautiful wooden houses. Lunch is served in a local fish restaurant, with an awesome view of Istanbul’s shores.
In the afternoon guests will have the opportunity to make their own way either by renting a bike, shopping around the local stores or renting a phaeton (a comfortable carriage pulled by two horses) around the island – motor vehicles are not allowed on the island.
From marble palaces to ancient villas, trace the remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires as well as modern day architecture on this full day tour. You’ll drive along the Golden Horn, visit an ancient spice bazaar, travel by boat along the mythological Bosphorous, visit the Dolmabahce Palace and step between Asia and Europe on the Bosporus Bridge.
This full day tour begins with Dolmabahce Palace; this large, lavishly furnished building was the last official post and residence of Ottoman sultans, having 365 rooms and 22 halls. Famous for it’s great European antiquity, furniture and a 4.5 ton chandelier, the rooms are kept with their original furniture and visitors feel like being house guests to the Imperial family.
The tour then moves on to the Bosphorous Bridge, which connects the European and the Asian sides of Istanbul. This was built in built in 1973 and affords a spectacular view of Istanbul’s modern and ancient sites while travelling over 60 metres above sea level. Camlica Hill is the next stop. The highest point in Istanbul, from here we can enjoy a panoramic view over the city provided that Istanbul chooses to show its beauties and blesses the visitors with a clear day.
After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour joins a private motor yacht for a cruise along the Bosphorous. A poet once described the Bosphorous as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires, on a canvas made of emerald”. This straight, separating (and connecting) two continents that form the two faces of a city, takes its name from a mythological love story. Ever since those ancient times, it inspired people with its beauty.
During the cruise, it will be possible to view many of Istanbul’s splendid sights as well as passing through different districts such as Tarabya with its’ own bay, Yenikoy famous for its’ luxury wooden houses, Ortakoy and Besiktas, a commercial district in the new part of the city. Additionally, the tour passes Rumeli Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and the Maiden’s Tower, Kizkulesi, an ancient lighthouse which has inspired many legends.
A short visit to the Spice Bazaar is the surprise of the tour. In this oriental shopping area, where you experience the vibrant pulse of Istanbul at its best, rare spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, live animals, flowers are sold. (Aphrodisiacs are available too!) After the short break in Spice Market, we will take a wonderful ride through the Golden Horn, among the walls of ancient Constantinople.
Spend a full day around the old city, visit spectacular Byzantine Churches including Patriarch, Blacharnae, St. Savour-in-Chora, Pammarictos, Pege, St.Sargius & Bacchus and Pantacrator Churches.
The Patriarchate at Fener by the Golden Horn is the heart of the global Orthodox Christian community. After Constantine the Great's declaration of Christianity as a freely practiced religion in the Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium.
Though the city was conquered by Muslim Ottomans in 1453, Sultan Mehmet’s wisdom and vision of coexistence among civilizations and policies of tolerance have encouraged the seat of the Patriarch to remain in the city.
Church of Panagia Blachernae, the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin located near the Golden Horn. Famed for the Hagiasma (fountain of holy water), said to cure health problems and the Hagion Lousma (Sacred Bath) said to clean the soul, where even emperors sought the grace of God to purify themselves.
St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye), originally a Byzantine monastery dedicated to Jesus Christ the Saviour, survived with fantastic mosaics and frescoes portraying scenes from the Holy Bible, the life and miracles of Jesus.
Church of St. Mary Pammacaristos (Fethiye) built in XI century by the Emperor John Comnenus, displaying the aesthetic refinement attained to the age of Paleologanage and originally belonged to a convent of nuns. The abbey housed the Patriarchate for a while after the conquest.
Zoodochos Pege at Balikli, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege, with an underground cistern, full of goldfish related to a well-known miracle and the fountain of holy water, believed to cure many diseases, is one of the most celebrated shrines.
The monastic complex of Christ Pantocrator (Zeyrek) was one of the largest and best organised of the Byzantine period, comprising two churches and a funerary chapel, baths, a hospice for the aged, a hospital and a medical school, a hostel for travellers and a library –this can only be seen from outside.
St. Sergius & Bacchus, a landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the "Little Hagia Sophia" because of its’ general plan as a precursor of the Hagia Sophia -can only be seen from outside.
This tour enables you to experience the Jewish culture in Istanbul. Exiled from Spain in 1492, their descendants have been living in Turkey for more than 500 years in peace & harmony.
The tour starts in Galata, the centuries-old Jewish neighbourhood with its’ famous tower built by the Genoese. We then visit either Neve Shalom Synagogue or Ashkenaz Synagogue (according to availability). This is followed by a drive to Balat along the Golden Horn, a residential area of Ottoman Jews where the “Star of David” still appears on the facades of some buildings. We also visit the Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century by the first generation of Seferad Jews who were granted shelter and asylum by the son and successor of Mehmet the Conqueror, Sultan Bayezid and the Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim) viewed from outside.
The tour then continues with a visit to the Zulfaris Jewish Museum of the Quincentennial Foundation and the “Oldies House” at Hasköy. Moving on we go to the Jewish Cemetery where the martyrs of a terrorist attack to Neve Shalom are resting. The penultimate stop is at Ortakoy on the Bosphorous and the very first point where the Sefarads disembarked to seek shelter from the Spanish Inquisition five centuries ago. Sultan Bayezit of the Ottoman Empire welcomed these exiles to his realm, offering a safe and peaceful life. The day’s last visit will be to the Etz-Ahayim Synagogue.
Edirne is a border city near the countries of Greece and Bulgaria with a population 150,000. The city was founded as Hadrianapolis, named for the Roman Emperor Hadrian today and is still called by the modern version of its Roman name, Edirne. This historic city became the capital of the Ottoman Empire after the city of Bursa and until the conquest of Constantinople when the capital was moved to present-day Istanbul. Edirne remained an important city with logistic and strategic importance especially for the Ottoman army. Since it was the capital for almost one hundred years there are many important historical places from this period remaining.
The renowned Ottoman architect Sinan, completed his masterpiece the Selimiye Mosque (recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which is visited on this tour along with Europe’s 3rd largest synagogue, the clock tower, castle ruins and the fascinating Beyazid II Health Complex which consists of a mosque, hospital building, imaret and madrasah. This award winning Museum of Health exhibits beautiful statutes made of wax and some artifacts from Ottoman medical history.
Before returning to Istanbul there will be time for some shopping, with traditional soaps, brooms, and cheeses making perfect souvenirs to take back home with.
Located on the northern shore of the Golden Horn in the Haskoy area of Beyoglu, this is Turkey’s first major museum dedicated to Transport, Industry & Communications. It lies on three separate parts of around 27,000 square metres.
The Museum is part of the Rahmi M. Koç Museology and Culture Foundation, which is a private non-profit institution dedicated to the collecting, housing, researching, preserving and exhibiting of industrial and engineering objects and their documentation from all countries and periods up to the present day. The Museum uses its collections and resources to inform, inspire and delight the general public, to attract more visitors to museums as well as cultural activities in Turkey, and to support research into industrial history. Collections include a very large number of cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages along with trains, boats & ships. The Museum is reserved for large scale and durable objects such as a submarine, ferry boat and aircraft as well as thousands of smaller items such as gramophone needles.
A “hands-on” gallery is perfect for kids where they can climb all over a vintage car, sit in the cockpit of a real plane and try the controls or try real-life scientific experiments.
If you are looking for something special and extraordinary then look no further. The best package for a short visit to Turkey, including Istanbul – Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara and back to Istanbul. This is an exquisite tour with all the bells and whistles. Incorporating a domestic flight and comfortable coach travel, you will be able to see Istanbul, the Mediterranean Region and Central Anatolia. An ideal tour for those who love history and culture which also includes a visit to the Mediterranean Coast.
On day 1 you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul – overnight. (There are two airports in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk airport is 20 km away from the city centre and Sabiha Gokcen which is 55 km away. The transfer from Ataturk airport to your hotel is included; if you arrive to Sabiha Gokcen airport please contact us for transfer rates).
Day 2 includes a tour of the fascinating city of the major sights of old Istanbul, visiting the ancient basilica of St Sophia built originally in the 4th century AD; the impressive Blue Mosque; Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and finishing with a must-do exploring the labyrinth of streets which make up the Grand Bazaar, which houses more than 4,000 shops. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 there is a magical boat tour along the Bosphorous which separates Europe and Asia followed by a visit to the Spice Bazaar. After lunch the tour departs to Ataturk airport for the domestic flight to Antalya.
Day 4 is spent exploring the delights of this Mediterranean city, visiting the old quarter known as Kaleici and after lunch, Duden waterfalls where the mountain streams from the Taurus Mountains pour off the cliffs into the sea. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 5 at approximately 8.00 the tour departs for Konya, a two and a half hour coach journey. At Konya we visit the green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, founder of the Sufi sect and home of the Whirling Dervishes. In the afternoon, the tour then moves on by coach to the spectacular region of Cappadocia in central Anatolia, arriving around 18.30. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6 is a full day visiting the many wonderful sights in the area, beginning with a trip to Derinkuyu underground city. One of the best preserved, this city is 55m deep and was inhabited by up to 20,000 people and was fully formed during the Byzantine area as protection from invading Arab armies. Also visited is Goreme Open-air Museum where there are religious frescoes from the 10th century AD. The distinctively formed fairy chimneys, now the symbol of Cappadocia are also visited and there are visits to carpet and pottery workshops as well as a chance to taste some of the region’s famous wine. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 departing at 8.00 the tour drives to Turkey’s capital, Ankara (approximately 4 hour journey). On the way there is a stop at Salt Lake, the second biggest lake in the country. After lunch we visit Ataturk Museum at the Mausoleum (Ataturk was the founder of modern day Turkey). In the afternoon, there is a coach journey back to Istanbul arriving around 19.00. Overnight.
Day 8 after breakfast there is the transfer back to Ataturk Airport.
This extensive, special tour by road provides first class service and guided transportation through some of Turkey’s most spectacular sights. Visiting Istanbul, the battlefields of Gallipoli, the Trojan Horse of Troy, Pergamon, the ancient city of Ephesus, the white calcium hot pools of Pamukkale, the beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast in Antalya, the city of Konya and Mausoleum of Mevlana, the underground cities of Cappadocia and the Capital of Turkey, Ankara.
Day 1 you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul – overnight.
Day 2 includes a tour of the major sights of old Istanbul, visiting Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans which boasts exquisite collections of jewels, crystal, the robes of the Sultans’ and their families as well as many other artifacts; the impressive Blue Mosque with its’ magnificent blue Iznik tiles; the Hippodrome, scene of chariot races; lunch, followed by a walk around the Spice Bazaar where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of herbs and spices. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour
07:30am we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. Two hours later there will be a 20 minute comfort stop before arriving at Gallipoli around 12pm. After lunch the tour departs for the battle fields, where we visit Gabatepe Museum, Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove. This is then followed by a visit to the Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. After the tour drive to the hotel and overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 - Troy - Pergamon – Kusadasi Tour
We depart at 08:30am and drive 30 minutes to Troy, the famous archeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse. After Troy there is a 3 hour drive to Pergamon and a lunch break around 1pm. This ancient Greek city was a renowned cultural and political centre and has some impressive ruins including the magnificent Acropolis, impressive temples and a library. It was also famous for its jewellery, precious stones and silver, so on the way, we will visit a jewellery centre. Arrival to Kusadasi around 6pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5 - Kusadasi - Ephesus Tour - Village of Sirince
08:30am departure from hotel for a full guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world and en - route, visiting the site of the Temple of Artemis. Sights to see in Ephesus include Curetes street, the Roman baths, Celsus Library and the impressive amphitheatre. The tour then moves on to the reputed final destination of the Virgin Mary, on the summit of a nearby mountain. Lunch break around 1pm. After lunch, you will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey, a carpet weaving centre and then follow this with a drive into the hills behind the town of Selcuk to the picturesque village of Sirince. Here the houses are built in the style of the Anatolian Greeks who used to inhabit the village. Known for its fruit wines, you will visit some vineyards and learn how to make wine with the local wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way you will also visit a leather production centre, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. Return to Kusadasi and overnight.
This full day tour is a great way to capture some of this city’s landmark sights by cruising along the atmospheric Bosphorous Straits which divides the city of Istanbul between two continents and visiting the splendid Dolmabahce Palace, once the administrative centre of the late Ottoman Empire. During the tour, we pass the Golden Horn, Istanbul’s historic peninsula with the distinctive Suleymaniye Mosque visible against the skyline and the ancient city walls. Lunch is enjoyed in a local restaurant in this area at Galata Bridge.
Dolmabahçe Palace: located on the European shores of the Bosphorous, the palace attracts tourists from all over the world due to its’ unique design and valuable contents. Built in the mid-nineteenth century, it was the home to six Sultans from 1856 and used as a presidential residence by Turkey’s first President of the Republic, Kemal Ataturk. Extensively decorated with gold and crystal, the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier hangs in the ceremonial Hall. (The only way to see the interior of Dolmabahçe is with a guided tour).
Arguably the best way to see this mesmerising city, a cruise along the Bosphorous affords views of the many historical and cultural landmarks and sails along both the European and Asian shores passing the Bosphorous Bridge and Rumeli Fortress, situated at the narrowest point across the Bosphorous at 660 metres.
A great way to spend the evening and experience Istanbul by night! This tour begins with dinner in the Galata Bridge area of the city – the bridge crosses the Golden Horn and is a popular spot for taking photographs with great views of the Bosphorous. Following dinner, the tour joins the bus for a scenic drive around some of the highlights of the city, starting with Sultanahmet Square which is the centre of what is known as the historical peninsula and where the 6-minaret Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and Topkapi Palace are located.
After Sultanahmet, we move on to the district of Besiktas, passing by Dolmabache Palace and driving along the European side of the Bosphorous as far as Ortakoy, which used to be a small village and is now full of bars, cafes and small shops. Ortakoy Mosque, dating originally from the 18th century, is a beautifully ornate building which sits on a jetty bordering the Bosphorous and under the shadow of the Bosphorous Bridge.
From Ortakoy, the tour drives to Taksim Square at the centre of the modern city and then proceeds on foot down the bustling Istiklal Street, lined with shops, cafes and restaurants –the street is pedestrianised except for a tram which runs the length of the street. At the Galata end of the street, the tour re-joins the bus for the transfer back to the hotels.
A unique opportunity to visit one of Turkey’s most important and popular historical sites, the impressive Roman-Hellenic remains of Ephesus, once the commercial centre of the ancient world. The day begins with a transfer to the airport in Istanbul to take a 50 minute flight to Izmir and then a coach journey to Ephesus which is 60 km away.
A visit to Ephesus is a highlight of any visit to Turkey; the city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural programme, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Today, it is one of the best-preserved antique cities. The great theatre with a capacity of 24,000 people and the Celsius Library are just some of the features that draw people here along with Hadrian’s Temple and many other well preserved and restored ruins. It is recorded that St John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus and that she spent her last days in a small house on Mt Koressos nearby. This is now a popular place of pilgrimage and has received official sanctification from the Vatican. The tour includes a visit to this place, known as Meryemana or the House of the Virgin Mary.
The tour will also visit Ephesus Museum in the nearby town of Selcuk, the Seven Sleepers cave which has a number of legends attributed to it and Isa Bey Mosque; constructed in the 14th century, this impressive mosque which was planned on the Great Mosque of Damascus, is situated on the outskirts of Selcuk.
Discover one of Turkey’s natural treasures and take home some incredible pictures and unforgettable memories in this one day tour departing from Istanbul. The day begins with a transfer to the airport in Istanbul to take a little over an hour’s flight to Denizli airport and then a coach journey of 70 km to the wonderful calcium rock pools which form Pamukkale.
On the site of natural hot springs, the area has been in use for centuries and the remains of a Greco-Roman and Byzantine city known as Hierapolis are still visible and include an impressive amphitheatre and large burial ground known as the necropolis. The natural springs at the site have been used as a spa for thousands of years and the amazing landscape which forms Pamukkale (meaning Cotton Castle) was formed by calcium-filled springs pouring down the mountainside, its' glacier-white ridges and pools resembling an Arctic wonderland.
This wonderful phenomenon also includes the natural spring-filled Cleopatra’s pool where it is possible to swim over fallen ancient columns and enjoy the warm, bubbly water (extra charge may apply).
One of the best ways to enjoy this vibrant city on New Year’s Eve has to be from the Bosphorous, the strait of water which flows through Istanbul, splitting the city between the European and Asian continents.
This special evening begins by sailing up the Bosphorous, passing under suspension bridges and viewing Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions and modern villas which line the European and Asian coasts. The panoramic view of Istanbul at night, when the city is alive with celebrations to bring in the New Year, with superior views of fireworks at midnight (we will get you as close as we can) and dinner will be truly memorable.
Additionally, there is traditional entertainment which includes Asuk Masuk, an imitation play of dwarfs which belongs to the Taseli district of Silifke and is performed by 2 male dancers; Naz Eyleme, a traditional Turkish melody musical performance; an Anatolian folk dance group; a henna ceremony; a local Romany dance; Turkish live music and also a DJ playing both Turkish & International music; Gaval Regs - I, Dance of the Tambourine and of course a belly dancer.
This 3 night package is a great opportunity to enjoy the mystical magic of this fascinating city and take part in the New Year celebrations which Istanbul is renowned for.
On the first day, guests are met at the Arrival Hall in their chosen Istanbul airport and taken to their hotel. The rest of the day is free.
After breakfast On New Year’s Eve, guests are picked up from their hotel and taken on a guided tour by bus of Istanbul. The sights included in the tour are Eminonu located on the south side of the Golden Horn and at the southern edge of the Galata Bridge; the Byzantine City Walls, a series of defensive stone walls built initially by Constantine the Great to protect the city from attack; the Bosphorous Bridge which stretches across the Bosphorous Straits joining the continents of Europe and Asia; and then the Asian side of the city. Lunch is included in the tour and the sight-seeing is followed by some retail therapy before the transfer back to the hotel mid-afternoon with time to prepare for the New Year’s Eve party
The evening begins by departing the hotel at 20:00 and being transferred to the local port to join the boat on the Bosphorous on which the party will be held. One of the best locations from which to enjoy Istanbul on this special night, a tasty dinner is served with champagne and unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a full evening of entertainment with live music, national Anatolian dances, belly dancing and a disco to greet in the New Year while watching a spectacular display of fireworks from the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. Return to the hotels will be at approximately 3am.
The next day is one for relaxing before an evening bus tour around the Beyoglu district of the city which includes Taksim Square at the heart of the city; Istiklal Street, which is always busy with shoppers, sight-seers and party-goers; Galata, famous for its’ medieval tower, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks and finally Ortakoy, a popular shore side area located close to the Bosphorous Bridge. Dinner will be enjoyed in a restaurant here overlooking the Bosphorous. Transfer to the hotel. Tour starts at 19:00 and finishes at 22:00.
On the final day, guests check out of their hotel and are taken to their relevant Istanbul Airport.