Istanbul Highlights tour

Depart from your hotel or cruise ship port in the morning. Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where once chariots ran and thousands of Byzantines cheered them. Some of the important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th century B.C, Serpentine Column from 5th century B.C, and the Stone Obelisk erected in 10th century A.D. Then you visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th century and famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior decoration. It's still in use by the Moslems and is the most important mosque in Istanbul. After that you'll visit Hagia Sophia Church, glory of the Byzantine Empire, built in the 6th century and houses magnificent gold-leafed mosaics. The Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century and then into a museum after the Republic. After a lunch break you'll visit Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans located on a hilltop dominating the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Today the palace is used as a museum where precious displays such as Porcelains, Crystals, Sultan's costumes, Books, Portraits, and Treasury can be visited. At the end you'll visit world famous Grand Bazaar for your shopping of traditional goods. Transfer back to your hotel or pier at the end of the day.

Additional

Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, Topkapi palace on Tuesdays, Grand bazaar on Sundays and religious holidays.

Included in the costs: private tour guide, air conditioned private van with driver, fuel, parking fees, pick-up & drop-off at the pier or hotel in the center.

Not included: entrance fees to museums, meals, beverages.

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.