Multifaceted Istanbul
Day 1 - Welcome
Arrival in Istanbul.
Transfer to the hotel for those arriving on the recommended flights. We will live in the old part of the city, close to the main attractions. The tour organizer will meet guests at the hotel.
Accommodation in rooms.
Gathering in the hotel lobby. An evening walking tour of Istanbul, the first acquaintance with the city, we are sure that already at this moment you will appreciate how beautiful it is!
Dinner at a restaurant with stunning views of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Getting to know the group
Return to the hotel, free time.
Day 2 - Ottoman
Breakfast in the hotel.
Meeting in the hotel lobby, meeting with the guide and departure for an excursion to Sultanahmet.
Visits:
Sultanahmet Square, Hippodrome
Around this square are the oldest monuments and the most important sights of Istanbul. Such as Egyptian Column, Serpentine Column, Ibrahim Pasha Palace, German Fountain...
Sultanahmet Mosque
One of the most magnificent architectural monuments of Istanbul in terms of beauty and grandeur. The young Ottoman ruler Sultan Ahmet ordered the construction of this true work of art. Later, the inhabitants of European countries gave the religious shrine another name - the "Blue Mosque" and today on everyone's lips it is even more than the original name.
Saint Sophie Cathedral
The world-famous monument of Byzantine architecture, a symbol of the "golden age" of Byzantium. "St. Sofia" is the first typical example of Byzantine architecture and is considered an architectural marvel.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is the largest and oldest palace in the world that has survived to this day. The palace is located on the site of the first settlement in Istanbul, offering magnificent views of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The palace complex is surrounded by 6 km of walls and occupies an area of 700 thousand square meters on top of the historical peninsula and for 400 years was the political center and the palace of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
Time for relaxation - let's try Turkish coffee on the terrace overlooking Hagia Sophia, feed the seagulls, take great photos.
We will walk through the Gulhane Palace Garden, enjoying the diversity of foliage and the beauty of the alleys, to the historic Sirkeci Station, where the legendary Orient Express arrived. We will see the famous Bridge over the Golden Horn, where hundreds of fishermen gather.
Right on the embankment, we will have a bite to eat, popular since Ottoman times, with Turkish street food “balyk ekmek” - fried freshly caught mackerel in bread, which is cooked right on the boats.
Egyptian market (free time), Rustem Pasha Mosque.
At the end of the day, we will go on a boat trip along the evening Bosphorus.
We will inhale its salty air and enjoy the chic views of the evening city. We will see Istanbul from a completely different angle and enjoy wonderful panoramas: ancient palaces, the Rumelihisar fortress, several bridges across the strait, the pearl of the Bosphorus - the Ortakoy Mosque and one of the symbols of the city - the Maiden Tower.
Return to the hotel, free time.
Day 3 - Original
Breakfast, collection in the hotel lobby and departure for the tour.
Visits:
Sehzade Mehmet Mosque, Valencia Aqueduct, Vefa district - we will taste the unique gastronomic specialty - Boza drink, in an Istanbul cafe that has been operating continuously since the 19th century! Fans of the series Magnificent Century, the next location is for you! After all, we will visit the Suleymaniye Mosque - the burial place of Sultan Suleiman and his wife Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska, an observation deck, a tea party on the roof, with a beautiful view, a photo session in national costumes. Next, we go to the Church of the Keys, make wishes.
Secret corners - Fener and Balat, one of the oldest districts of Istanbul, are still considered non-touristic, and therefore so attractive - with gingerbread, colorful houses, vintage shops, hipster cafes and cool coffee shops. Let's take a look at the steep observation deck inside the old inns (a luxurious place for photo shoots). Great School of Nations, consider the Greek Lyceum - one of the most mysterious buildings in Istanbul, the Iron Church of St. Stephen. Here we will have time to have lunch and drink coffee in a cafe with cats and antiques.
Visit to the Grand Bazaar.
Dinner at a restaurant with a Byzantine Underground.
Return to the hotel, free time.
Day 4 - Asian
Pick up at the hotel, we go to the Karakoy area, start the day with a proper Turkish breakfast in one of the atmospheric cafes where the local bohemia has breakfast. Although breakfasts are included in the program, today you will try something completely unique and impressive: you will be brought 1000 and one plate of goodies for breakfast, we will drink tea and take many photos.
We sail to the Asian coast of Istanbul, feed the seagulls, admire the Maiden's Tower, standing alone in the open sea. We will devote the whole day to acquaintance with the Asian part of Istanbul. The colorful districts of Kadikoy and Uskudar are a concentration of youth places, parties, bars and restaurants. We will walk to the Kuzguncuk district - a bohemian and non-tourist part of the city, we will enjoy real unhurried Istanbul. Chamlydzha hill and a huge mosque of the same name, from where a fantastic view opens. TV tower, observation deck.
The modern Çamlıca Mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. The spring of 2019 was marked by a grandiose event for Istanbul - the opening of a majestic Muslim shrine, called Chamlyca. This is not just a mosque, it is a whole architectural complex that has received the status of the largest in the world among similar structures.
Istanbul TV tower, observation deck, breathtaking 360 degree view of the city.
On the Asian part of the city, in the Çamlıca region, also known for its largest mosque in Istanbul, recently, a TV tower rises, 369 meters long (and all 576.5 m above sea level). It can be seen from almost all points of the city and now it is one of the recognizable objects of the metropolis. The construction of the TV tower in Istanbul began in 2016 - before that, the direction and intensity of the wind in the area was carefully studied in order to carry out the planned project as safely as possible.
Dinner at Deriliye Ottoman restaurant. Cooking class in an Ottoman restaurant. During the master class, the chef of the Magnificent Age, Nijati, tells, shows and cooks three favorite dishes of the Sultans with us. Dishes are different every time, but always uniquely tasty and unusual. An absolute hit - sweet melon stuffed with veal, almonds and currants, by the way, one of Sultan Suleiman's favorite dishes!
Return to the hotel, free time.
Day 5 - European
Breakfast in the hotel.
Meeting in the hotel lobby, meeting with the guide, departure from the hotel for an excursion to the Dolmabahce Palace.
Sultan's palace of the 19th century, built in the styles of Baroque, Rococo and Oriental combination. In the palace there are Bohemian crystal chandeliers, the largest weighing 4.5 tons. A whole art gallery and paintings by Aivazovsky. Silver clock weighing 60 kg, a gift from Nicholas II, Hereke carpets, which were woven on the territory of the palace during its construction, the largest, measuring 126 sq.m. The palace was built by the architect Serkis Balyan in 6 years. Ataturk died in this palace. Located on the Bosphorus.
Further on the program, in my opinion, the most beautiful air-laced, and even recently restored, the Ortakoy Mosque, which stands right on the shore near the famous bridge over the Bosphorus.
We will have lunch in the signature Ortakoy style, you have never had such a satisfying and sweet meal, believe me.
Next, we will go to Taksim Square.в
Previously, the square was the center of water supply, and its name comes from the modified maksem, which means "reservoir" in Turkish. In the center of the square, since 1928, there has been a 12-meter-high “Republic” monument. Numerous figures of liberator heroes are depicted on the pedestal, including marshals Ataturk, Çakmak, İnönü and ordinary people. The Soviet Union played an important role in Turkey's struggle for independence by providing military and financial assistance. In gratitude for this, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ordered to perpetuate Kliment Voroshilov and Semyon Aralov, who is often mistaken for Mikhail Frunze, to the left of his figure. You will see the legendary red retro tram and you will be able to take vivid photos. We will show you the liveliest Istiklal Street, where there is a noisy atmosphere. Istiqlal never sleeps. This is a paradise for shopaholics, as there are many branded boutiques, chain stores and themed shops, as well as restaurants, bars, embassy buildings and churches. Ascent to the observation deck, the most romantic symbol of the city - the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in the middle of the XIV century. Despite its advanced age, the tower has a modern elevator. We will walk around the outskirts of Galata - the Cihangir district (bohemian life), the Chukurjuma district (antiques and vintage).
National Turkish night style dinner where we will have a great time.
Return to the hotel, free time.
Day 6 - Final
Breakfast at the hotel This is our last morning in Istanbul. After breakfast, we will start packing, getting ready for departure, and making wishes...
After all, good dreams made in magical places tend to come true. And Istanbul is without a doubt one of those places!
By the appointed hour, a comfortable transfer will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to the airport of departure. Come again or as the Turks say "yine bekleriz"! See you soon!
Important information
What is included in the price?
Transfer by comfortable transport from the airport/hotel/airport only for our group.
Transport maps and all transport along the route on a comfortable air-conditioned bus - only for our group.
Accommodation in boutique hotels and 4*/5* hotels, 7 nights with breakfast.
Escort by the tour organizer.
Unique author's routes and walks in unexplored Istanbul.
Five excursions with a licensed Russian-speaking guide-historian.
All entrance tickets according to the program.
Cruise on the Bosphorus by ship.
Meals: 4 buffet breakfasts at the hotel, one offsite traditional Turkish breakfast
4 dinners - welcome dinner on the first day of the tour at the view restaurant, Turkish night show and dinner at Nomads restaurant, Ottoman cooking class and dinner at Deraliye restaurant, dinner at the Byzantine underground restaurant.
Tasting of traditional coffee on the sand.
Rooftop tea party
Tasting of the traditional fermented milk product bose in a family shop.
Tea drinking in the caravanserai
Assistance in the selection of air tickets.
***Price per person in a double room. For single occupancy, there will be a difference of EUR 150 per stay.
The price does not include:
Flights from your city to Istanbul and back
Meals outside the program
All drinks
Medical insurance - highly recommended
Additional Excursions
Personal expenses
*** Tips for guides and drivers (5 people and less 10 €/person/day; 6-9 people 8 €/person/day; 10 people and more 5 €/person/day)
Additional services
Excursions for extra charge:
Dervish dance - Sema - 25 euros (per person)
*** When the price changes, the announcement during the trip takes precedence.