Istanbul
embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to Asia, the other to
Europe. Through the city's heart, the Bosphorus strait, courses the
waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The
former capital of three successive empires - Roman, Byzantine and
Ottoman - today Istanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its past
while looking forward to its modern future. Indeed, it is Istanbul's
variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces,
great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible.
As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating
the red twilight reflected in the windows on the opposite shore, you
understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers
chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these, you feel
that Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
General Note = If your group has a particular area of interest (such
as Cultural, Historical, Religious or Archaeological) then please let us
know and we will do all we can to tailor your tour and guide to this
interest.
Lunch Break Note =
Our private tours do not include lunch but if you would like to and up
to the availability of your time in Port and your chosen tour we are
happy to stop for a lunch break. There are many options for lunch and
you can discuss on the day with your guide as the type of food you would
like to try and your budget and you can pay for lunch and drinks
directly once you are there. You will need to add on at least 30 mins
to the duration of our tours as indicated to include a lunch break.
ISTANBUL TOURS
(P01) ISTANBUL HAGIA (St.) SOPHIA +
BLUE MOSQUE + HIPPODROME
You will be met by
your guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private
Istanbul Tour. First we will visit
"Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the
"Old City" from where the Byzantine and
Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia (St.)
Sophia, 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 Iznik
tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built
in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot
races, athletics) events and political
activities of the old city. Obelisk
of heodosius, Serpentine Column, German
Fountain of Wilhelm II are the
monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Grand Covered Bazaar, Most
attractive shopping center and biggest "souk"
in the world with nearly 4000 shops
selling antiques, jewellery, gold,
carpets, leatherware and souvenirs. Once
the tour has finished you will be
returned to the Port of Istanbul.
INCLUDES =Pick
up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul, A/C
private transportation, Professional
guide, Entrance fees. CLOSED = Grand Covered Bazaar on
Sunday, Hagia Sophia on Monday
DURATION =
approx 4 - 5 Hours
ISTANBUL TOURS (P02)
ISTANBUL BLUE MOSQUE + TOPKAPI PALACE +
UNDERGROUND CISTERN
You will be met by your
guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private Istanbul Tour.
First we will visit the "Sultan Ahmet Center",
the heart of the "Old City" from where the
Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous
with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6
minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
Topkapı Palace The great palace of the
Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th
centuries housing an exquisite collection of
crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes
worn by the sultans and their families, the
famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury,
miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics
of the Prophet Mohammed.
Underground
Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı) In this
historical place one discovers the grandiose
nature of the past when touring through
Istanbul's largest and most magnificent
underground Cistern. Built by Emperor Justinian
in the 6th century to supply water to the near-by
palace complex, the cistern has a total of 336
decorated columns.Grand Covered Bazaar, Most attractive
shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world
with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques,
jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherwear and
souvenirs. Once the tour has finished you will
be returned to the Port of Istanbul.
INCLUDES = Pick up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul,
A/C private transportation, Professional guide,
Entrance fees. CLOSED = Topkapi Palace on Tuesday, Grand
Covered Bazaar on Sunday
DURATION =
approx 4 - 5 Hours
ISTANBUL TOURS(P03)
ISTANBUL UNDERGROUND CISTERN + TURKISH ISLAMIC
ART MUSEUM
You will be met by your
guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private Istanbul Tour.
First we will visit Underground Cistern
(Yerebatan Sarayı) In this historical place
one discovers the grandiose nature of the past
when touring through Istanbul's largest and most
magnificent underground Cistern. Built by
Emperor Justinian in the 6th century to supply
water to the near-by palace complex, the cistern
has a total of 336 decorated columns. Then visit
Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum and
Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot
races, athletics) events and political
activities of the old city. Obelisk of
heodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain
of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating
Hippodrome. Grand Covered Bazaar, Most
attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in
the world with nearly 4000 shops selling
antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherwear
and souvenirs. Once the tour has finished you
will be returned to the Port of Istanbul.
INCLUDES =
Pick up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul, A/C
private transportation, Professional guide,
Entrance fees. CLOSED = Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum on
Monday, Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday
DURATION =
approx 4 - 5 Hours
ISTANBUL TOURS(P04)
ISTANBUL KARIYE MUSEUM + SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE +
TOPKAPI PALACE
You will be met by your
guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private Istanbul Tour.
First we will visit Kariye Museum (Church of
St. Saviour) and the Walls then drive old
city center and visit Suleymaniye Mosque
The mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent was built
between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect
Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of
St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great
size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one
from each corner of the courtyard. Topkapı
Palace The great palace of the Ottoman
sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries
housing an exquisite collection of crystal,
silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the
sultans and their families, the famous jewels of
the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy
Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet
Mohammed. Grand Covered Bazaar, Most
attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in
the world with nearly 4000 shops selling
antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherwear
and souvenirs. Once the tour has finished you
will be returned to the Port of Istanbul.
INCLUDES =
Pick up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul, A/C
private transportation, Professional guide,
Entrance fees. CLOSED = Kariye Museum Wednesday, Topkapi
Palace on Tuesday, Grand Covered Bazaar on
Sunday
DURATION =
approx 4 - 5 Hours
ISTANBUL TOURS(P05)
ISTANBUL DOLMABAHCE PALACE + CAMLICA HILL
You will be met by your
guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private Istanbul Tour.
First we will visit DOLMABAHCE PALACE the
last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365
rooms and 22 saloons. Famous with the great
collection of European antiquity, furniture and
4.5 tons chandelier. BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
unique chance to step from one continent
(Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Caffe -
Tea break at CAMLICA HILL exposing a
panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from
the best point of view. Once the tour has
finished you will be returned to the Port of
Istanbul.
INCLUDES =
Pick up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul, A/C
private transportation, Professional guide,
Entrance fees. CLOSED : Dolmabahce Palace on Monday,
Thursday
DURATION =
approx 4 - 5 Hours
ISTANBUL TOURS (P06)
ISTANBUL HAGIA (St.) SOPHIA + BLUE MOSQUE +
TOPKAPI PALACE
You will be met by your
guide at the Port of Istanbul
where you will begin your Private Istanbul Tour.
First we will visit the "Sultan Ahmet Center",
the heart of the "Old City" from where the
Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Hagia (St.) Sophia, one of the greatest
marvels of architecture, constructed as a
basilica in the 6th century by Emperor
Justinian. Then we will visit Blue Mosque,
facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik
tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the
name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center
of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events
and political activities of the old city.
Obelisk of heodosius, Serpentine Column, German
Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments
decorating Hippodrome. Topkapı Palace The
great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the
15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite
collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese
porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their
families, the famous jewels of the Imperial
Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle;
enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
Grand Covered Bazaar, Most attractive
shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world
with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques,
jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and
souvenirs. Once the tour has finished you will
be returned to the Port of Istanbul.
INCLUDES =
Pick up & drop-off at Port of Istanbul, A/C
private transportation, Professional guide,
Entrance fees.
CLOSED =
Topkapi Palace on Tuesday, Hagia Sophia on
Monday, Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday
DURATION =
approx 7 - 8 Hours
