Day 2
Istanbul City Tour
Starting the day at 09:00, we will begin our private city tour of Istanbul.
First, we will explore Topkapi Palace, the great palace of Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. In addition to stunning architecture and monuments, the palace complex houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain, historic robes, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, and the Holy Mantle.
After admiring the remarkable Hagia Sophia, originally dating back to the 4th Century A.D., we will explore the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Standing opposite the Hagia Sophia, this impressive mosque was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, and is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
Once outside the Blue Mosque we will proceed to walk through the Hippodrome. Once the scene of chariot races, this beautiful open area is home to three historic monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
After a lunch break we will head to the Egyptian Bazaar, an exciting and atmospheric experience. This bustling market is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other herb and spice. After the day tour you will have the opportunity to experience a relaxing and inspiring Bosphorus Cruise. Enjoy magnificent views of the Bosphorus by sunset, whilst cruising through the passage that connects Asia to Europe. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy in Istanbul as you choose. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.