ISTANBUL CLASSICS I Walking Tour (09:00*-13:00)

A half day walking tour starting with Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations and political activities of the old city where one can also see the “Obelisk of Egypt”, “Serpent Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. Continue to Blue Mosque (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed), famous for its mosaics with some 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and its six minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art. Cross to St. Sophia (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed), one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world, constructed as a basilica in 536 AD by Emperor Justinian, turned into a mosque, takes the breath away with the sheer size of its interior and its magnificent dome. Visit Yerebatan Underground Cistern with its atmospherically lit rows of columns – 336 in total. It was built in 532, with a capacity to store 80,000 cubic metres of water. It has excellent acoustics, and, with its fabulous atmosphere, has been used by famous singers, and for film sets.
*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring on PRIVATE tours

*The Group Tour will commence at 08:30 in Sultanahmet. Pick- up times from the hotels will vary

*The visit order of the sites may change

*Grand Covered Bazaar will be replaced with Arasta Bazaar
on Sundays

ISTANBUL CLASSICS I I Walking Tour (13:30*-16:30)

A half day walking tour. Proceed to to Topkapi Palace - Harem section excluded - (Closed on Tuesdays) through Hagia Irene Church, built in the 4th century as its neighbor to the Hagia Sophia. The name Hagia Irene Church means ‘’Godly’’ or ‘’Holy Wisdom’’ in Greek. After the conquest of Istanbul it was incorporated into the grounds of Topkapı Palace; built in 1468 on one of the seven hills of Istanbul by Mehmet the Conqueror, the seat of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years and a huge complex serving as a museum today facing superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace houses the treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels, and the priceless Chinese porcelain, one of the best collections in the world, weapons, calligraphy section, and more. Thereafter proceed to Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and public holidays), which is the biggest “souk” in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, ceramics and leatherwear.

*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring on PRIVATE tours

*The Group Tour will commence at 13:30 in Sultanahmet. Pick- up times from the hotels will vary

*The visit order of the sites may change

HISTORICAL ISTANBUL Walking Tour (08:30*-16:30)

A full day walking tour starting with Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations and political activities of the old city where one can also see the “Obelisk of Egypt”, “Serpent Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. Continue to Blue Mosque (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed), famous for its mosaics with some 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and its six minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art. Cross to St. Sophia (Closed on Friday mornings and the last minute occasions beyond our control and therefore no responsibility is assumed)), one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world, constructed as a basilica in 536 AD by Emperor Justinian, turned into a mosque, takes the breath away with the sheer size of its interior and its magnificent dome. Thereafter proceed to Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and public holidays), which is the biggest “souk” in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, ceramics and leatherwear.

In the afternoon proceed to Topkapi Palace - Harem section excluded - (Closed on Tuesdays) passing by Hagia Irene Church, from the 4th century and incorporated into the grounds of Topkapı Palace, built in 1468 on one of the seven hills of Istanbul by Mehmet the Conqueror, the seat of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years and a huge complex serving as a museum today facing superb views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The palace houses the treasures of the Sultans including the extravagant Treasury with its magnificent jewels, and the priceless Chinese porcelain, one of the best collections in the world, weapons, calligraphy section, and more.

*The Group Tour will commence at 08:30 in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci hotels. Pick-up times from the hotels will vary

*When stayed at others rather than Sultanahmet/Sirkeci hotels transfer services at the beginning and end will be provided on PRIVATE tours

*The visit order of the sites may change for operational reasons

*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring on PRIVATE tours
 

MORNING BOSPHORUS ON BOAT (08:30-12:30)

A morning tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar (Closed during the religious holidays) from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the shared boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges will be visible from the sea. Disembark the boat and end of our services.
*Depending on the preference of the guests public transportation including taxi, subway, tram or funicular can also be taken whilst touring on PRIVATE tours

*The Group Tour will commence at 08:30 in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci hotels. Pick-up times from the hotels will vary

*When stayed at others rather than Sultanahmet/Sirkeci hotels transfer services at the beginning and end will be provided on PRIVATE tours

*Spice Bazaar can be closed on certain public holidays

BOSPHORUS & ASIA (08:45-16:45)

A full day tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar (Closed during the religious holidays) from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the public boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges as well as Rumelian Fortress, historical armament built by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect Bosphorus, will be visible from the sea. Disembark the boat. In the afternoon, cross to the Asian side to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace (Closed on Mondays), the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its original furniture and magnificent gardens. Then proceed to Camlica Hill (or Nakkastepe) to observe one of the lovely panoramic views of Istanbul. Drive back to the hotel.

*Please note that public transportation (taxi, subway, tram, funicular or ferry) may be used on this tour to avoid the traffic congestion and loss of unnecessary time.
 

FULL DAY GALLIPOLI (ANZAC) (06:30-21:00)

Our driver will pick you and then drive to Eceabat where you will time for lunch and join your guide* to visit Gallipoli, the site of battles involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. After lunch time in Eceabat drive on to visit Kabatepe War Museum, Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemoration Site, Lone Pine-Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish & Allied trenches and tunnels), 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, the Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Drive back to Istanbul with the driver (Dinner en route - at your own expense). Arrive in Istanbul late evening.

*Depending on availability the guide can accompany the guests all the way through

Departure on Group Tours:
From Sultanahmet : 06:30-07:00 
From Taksim/Sisli : 06:00-06:30