Imperial & Asia Tour

Visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque
Visit of Blue Mosque
Visit of Hippodrome Square
Visit of German Fountain of Wilhem II
Visit of Serpentine Column
Visit of Column of Constantine
Visit of Grand Bazaar
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Visit of Camlıca Hill
Visit of Beylerbeyi Palace

THIS TOUR WILL BE ONLY ORGANISED ON THE DATES OF :
05 SEPTEMBER 2004

Minimum 10 pax guaranteed registration requested.

Type: Full Day Tour
Meeting Point : Hotel Lobby
Starts at : 07:45 - 08:15 (approx.)
Finishes at : 16:30 - 17:00 (approx.)
Duration: 8 hrs.
Available Languages: English

Additional Information

• Free Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off - from City Center Hotels in European Side
• Cover ups and head scarves are provided at the Blue Mosque
• Ladies should have a scarf with them to visit Hagia Sophia.
(or can buy one from the Mosque)

Notes
*On Sundays, when Grand Bazaar is closed, we visit Nuruosmaniye around Grand Bazaar.
*On Friday morning, The Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia are visioned only from outside because of Friday Prayer.

Tour Price: € 100.- per person / Price is not İnclusive of VAT ( 20 %)

What is included?
• Hotel Pick-up & drop-off
• Entrance fees as per itinerary
• Professional Guide
• Air-conditioned, Disinfected Vehicles
• Professional Drivers
• 4 Course Lunch included. (Vegetarian Menu is available)
(Sample Menu: Soup & Seasonal Appetizers & Salad, Main Course like, Meatball or Chicken, Dessert)

What is NOT included?
• Gratuities / Tip (Optional)
• Drinks during lunch.

We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia Mosque. Built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture.Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is also famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child.
Next we visit the Blue Mosque which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Its courtyard is especially grand.
The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.
The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style.
We begin by driving across the Bosphorus Bridge, for a time the world’s longest suspension bridge, and head for the summit of Çamlıca Hill and its panoramic views of Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes’ Islands.
Our next stop is the Palace of Beylerbeyi on the shore of the Bosphorus. Perhaps the most elegant late Ottoman palace, Beylerbeyi boasts six sumptuously furnished reception halls with Bohemian crystal chandeliers and Sèvres and Chinese vases, including a main salon with an indoor fountain. The sultans’ guests at the palace included Empress Eugénie of France, Shah Nasruddin of Persia and Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia.