4 * Dosso Dossi Golden Horn Hotel (BB) in Taksim area or similar hotel.

* Day 1:

Arrival in Istanbul:

• Arrival at the airport and meet one of our staff at the airport,
• then transfer by private tourist car to the hotel to check in.
• Rest of the day is free time or optional tour
• Overnight at the hotel.

* Day 2: 

City Tour in Istanbul – Full day tour + Lunch: after the breakfast in hotel, we will move to visit:   


Itinerary:

• Tour of  "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
• Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.
• Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
• Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.
• Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenirs. (Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)
• Lunch in a Turkish restaurant.
• Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections.  (Harem is not included in the program rate)
• Overnight in hotel.

* Day 3

PRINCES’ ISLANDS – Full day with lunch: after the breakfast in hotel, we will move to make our tour.
Itinerary:
After meeting your guide at the departure point for your tour, climb aboard your luxury coach and head to the port for your boat tour. Princes’ Islands are nine islands in the Marmara Sea.

• In the Byzantium era they were used as an exile for princes so they were called Princes’ islands. The islands are famous for their beautiful beaches, incredible houses, small villas and peaceful surroundings, especially the pine trees.
• We join the Boat Trip and enjoy Istanbul views from the sea for more than one hour and visit Heybeliada or Burgazada Island the second biggest island that’s famous for its 4 beautiful hills, then the biggest island Buyukada that’s famous for its clean air because of not using vehicles and tour with Electric vehicle from bottom to top of the island passing by all beautiful views and natural forest with ten minute break in the top of the island and finally we visit shopping mall in the city.
•  Open Buffet lunch  on board.

* Day 4

 DOLMABAHÇE PALACE & TWO CONTINENTS (from Europe to Asia) - Full Day Tour + Lunch:

• Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.
• Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
• Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours’ private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.
• Rumeli Fortress (from the boat – no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. (Visit to a leather  showroom if time permits)
• Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.
• Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
• Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
• Çamlıca Hill, famous for its widest bird’s eye panoramic view of İstanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, gives a chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the best point of the highest and most appealing places of the city.

       

Day 5: Free Day or Optional tour
Day 6: Free Day or Optional tour.
Day 7: Free Day or Optional tour.
Day 8: Check out from the hotel + Transfer from hotel to the aiport.