DAY EXCURSIONS

FD-1 Highlights of Istanbul – Full Day Excursion with Lunch

€ 70.00

Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar

Dates:	Mar 26, 27, 28, 29
Schedule:	08:30-17:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

This morning, we drive to the Hippodrome. Famous for chariot races, this Roman stadium dates back to the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great.
We then see the Blue Mosque, probably the most impressive mosque in the world.

Our tour continues with the visit of Hagia Sophia Museum which was originally built as a church then converted into a mosque after the conquest in the 15th C. One of the oldest ancient buildings on Earth, this is well worth a visit.

We have our lunch at a local restaurant and then continue the day with the tour of Topkapı Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottomans. See the courtyards, a superb porcelain collection, the famous world treasury, calligraphy, Sultan’s costumes and the Holy relics of Prophet Muhammed.

Finish the day at the Grand Bazaar where thousands of small shops are located.

FD-2 Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Istanbul – Full Day Excursion with Lunch

€ 70.00

Spice Bazaar, Boat Trip on the Bosphorus, Asian Side, Camlica Hill, Beylerbeyi Palace

Dates:	Mar 26, 27, 28
Schedule:	08:30-17:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

We drive to the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar where you can find spice shops selling varieties of spices, nuts, fruit and herbal teas and surely Turkish Delight.
We then walk across the road to the pier where we catch the ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. You can admire magnificent views of the Bosphorus where numerous palaces, mansions are located as well as the Rumeli Fortress. This was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer as part of the preparations of his campaign to capture Istanbul.We land on the European side about half way up the Bosphorus and drive to the restaurant for lunch.
We drive across the Bosphorus over the Bosphorus Bridge to Beylerbeyi Palace. Built around 1860s, this was the summer residence of the Imperial family. After the tour we drive up to Camlica Hill from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Istanbul.
Our return journey takes us over the Bosphorus Bridge.

FD-3 Sinan’s Istanbul – Full Day Excursion with Lunch

€ 70.00

Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, Rustempasa Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Uskudar

Dates:	Mar 28
Schedule:	08:30-17:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

The day is dedicated to Mimar (Architect) Sinan. We first drive to the Mosque of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. This is one of the finest examples to the Ottoman religious architecture found in Istanbul. We walk around the 'Kulliye' to see more of this complex which served for as a hospital, medical school, ‘imaret’-soup house for the poor, theological school. We also see the Mausoleum of the Sultan, his wife and Sinan.

We start walking down through the narrow streets and alleys of old Istanbul witnessing the continous commercial activites that have taken place in this city over the centuries.

After reaching down the sea level, we visit the Rustempasa Mosque, another work of Sinan from sixteenth century. This small mosque is famous for its beautiful Iznik tiles.

Our journey brings us to the pier across the street from the mosque. Here, we board on one of the traditional ferries to go to Uskudar on the Asian side. This fifteen minute trip will give us a chance to see the old city from the middle of the Bosphorus. Our lunch will be in Uskudar at one of the famous traditional Turkish restaurants.

Following lunch, we will visit Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, the last one of three mosques built by Sinan in the sixteenth century. We will also see Yeni Valide Mosque which is not a work of Sinan.

Free time to stroll around Uskudar to get a bit more of the local flavor. We finally catch the ferry to go back to the European side.

HD-1 Morning in the Old City – Half Day Excursion

€ 35.00

Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia

Dates:	Mar 26, 27, 28, 29
Schedule:	08:30-12:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

Dates:	Mar 26, 27, 28
Schedule:	08:30-12:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

We drive to the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar where you can find spice shops selling varieties of spices, nuts, fruit and herbal teas and surely Turkish Delight.

We then walk across the road to the pier where we catch the ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. You can admire magnificent views of the Bosphorus where numerous palaces, mansions are located as well as the Rumeli Fortress. This was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer as part of the preparations of his campaign to capture Istanbul.We land on the European side about half way up the Bosphorus.

HD-3 Afternoon at the Golden Horn - Half Day Excursion

€ 35.00

Golden Horn, City Walls, Chora (Kariye) Museum, Eyup, Pierre Loti Cafe

Dates:	Mar 27
Schedule:	08:30-12:30
Meeting Timet:	10 mins before departure
Meeting Point:	Excursions Desk in the Registration Area

We drive to the old city across the Golden Horn. We continue our drive then along the city walls and arrive at the Church of St. Savoir in Chora (Kariye Museum), a unique example of the world famous Byzantine mosaics depicting lifecycles of Mary and Christ.

After that, we drive to Eyup where we will visit the Sanctuary of Eyup Sultan, a Muslim warrior of early Islamic period. After the visit, stop at the famous Cafe Pierre Loti named after the French poet who spent many years in Istanbul. Enjoy a cup of Turkish Coffee and the view of the Golden Horn.

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