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Itinerary: |
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DAY 1 SIGHTSEEING
BUS TOUR
Welcome to our
special Istanbul program.
Since Istanbul is a big city we'd like to introduce this treasure
city deeply. This tour is also recommended by the Ministry of
Tourism for the visitors in Istanbul. Today is dedicated to full day
panoramic bus tour starting from in the heart of city Taksim. Via
Tarlabasi boulevard we'll pass Atatürk Bridge. The
Golden horn is a lovely
place for taking photo, after coastal promenade we'll reach old city
walls. Following Yedikule and Kennedy Avenue we'll pass by Galata
Bridge where you can observe the city rush and colorful landscape.
After lunch we'll pass by Meclis-i Mebusan and Barbaros Avenue. Now
it's time to pass from Europe to Asia via Bogazici (Bosphorus)
Bridge linking two continents. Just take your breath for the
spectacular view of the
Bosphorus from here. Get ready your camera and camcorder. After
Kuzguncuk district we'll reach busy port of Harem via Çarsi Avenue.
Next, via Ankara Boulevard and 1st peripheral highway we'll reach
Çamlica Hill, where you can observe Istanbul. Get ready to take
another deep breath. You'll be charmed when you see this spectacular
view. Time to give a tea break as Turks always do. Before finishing
our sightseeing tour we'll take the 2nd peripheral highway for
Taksim. Just before arriving Taksim, you'll be charmed for the last
time while passing by Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. This time you'll
move from Asia to Europe. Since we consider you should be tired,
please take your time at the hotel. Dinner will be served at the
hotel. [B]
DAY 2
SULTANAHMET DISTRICT
Today we'll explore
famous Topkapi Palace. the
maze of buildings at the center of the Ottoman Empire between the
15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings the sultans
and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden
fills the outer or first court. On the right of the second court,
shaded by cypress and plane trees, stand the palace kitchens, now
galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and
Chinese porcelain. To the left, the Harem, the secluded quarters of
the wives, concubines and children of the sultan, charms visitors
with echoes of the intrigue of centuries. Today the third court
holds the Hall of Audience, the Library of Ahmet III, an exhibition
of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the
famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of
miniatures from medieval manuscripts. You'll certainly admire these
galleries. Get ready your camera and camcorder for the most valuable
Kasikçi diamond in here. The footprint of Prophet Muhammed and
ornamental throne of Ottoman Sultans are simply charming. In the
center of innermost sanctuary, the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle
enshrines the relics of the Prophet Mohammed brought to Istanbul
when the Ottomans assumed the caliphate of Islam. After lunch in
famous Konyali Restaurant we'll pass
Sancta Sophia "The Church of
Divine Wisdom" dominated the skyline of Istanbul. The Basilica of St.
Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the
finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and
reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome
rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters.
You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity
and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. Now it's considered as
Mimar Sinan's Mosque. After Sancta Sophia, we'll move historical
Galata District in order to visit historic Galata Tower, Neve Shalom,
Italian and Askenazy Synagogues, the Kamondo steps that is called
Jewish Lane as well. At night, we'll invite you sound & light show
in front of the Blue Mosque (if available) [B] [L] [D]
DAY 3
SULTANAHMET SQUARE AND BALAT DISTRICT
Today is dedicated
to the major mosques in Istanbul. Upon arrival in
Sultanahmet Square we'll
first visit Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque with its 6 minaret built in
1609. We'll explore these points by the professional guides. After
lunch in Sultanahmet square, we'll pass the museum of Turkish and
Islamic Art having superior collection. Next we'll pass Byzantine
sunken cistern known as the
Yerebatan Sarnici from Justinian era with its 336 marble columns.
The cistern can cater 80.000 cubic metres of water at a time.
Explore the mystic atmosphere given by the instrument “ney” here.
Time to move historical Balat District. We'll explore the Star of
David embossed on the facades of some old buildings in here. Ahrida
and Yanbol Synagogues and the green panoramic view of the park view
on the coast of Golden Horn. Across the coast we'll visit Kamondo
Mansion. Dinner at hotel. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 4
SULTANAHMET DISTRICT
Today's full day
excursion is dedicated to the major places of interest in Istanbul
again. The Archaeological Museum displaying the celebrated Alexander
Sarcophagus among its treasures of antiquity including the Museum of
the Ancient Orient displays artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian,
Assyrian, Haiti and Hittite civilizations will be the first our
visit. The building of the latter museum was built in 19th century.
Upper part have been renovated a project which earned the museum of
the 1993 Council of Europe award for its contribution to European
Culture. Next we'll pass Rüstem Pasha Mosque one of the tiny mosques
in Istanbul built for Süleyman the Magnificent's grand vizier Rüstem
Pasha. The mosque is dated back to 1561 when he died. Here you'll
examine the beautiful Iznik tiles in here. After lunch we'll pass by
Süleymaniye Mosque dominating the skyline on the
Golden Horn's west bank.
Considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul,
it was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the renowned architect
of the Ottoman golden age. On the crest of a hill, the building is
conspicuous by its great size, which the four minarets that rise
from each corner of the courtyard emphasize. Inside, the mihrab (prayer
niche) and the mimber (pulpit) are of finely carved white marble;
fine stained glass windows color the incoming streams of light. It
was in the gardens of this complex that Suleyman and his wife Hürrem
Sultan, Roxelane, had their mausolea built, and near here also that
Sinan built his own tomb. The mosque complex also includes four
medrese, or theological schools, a school of medicine, a
caravanserai, a Turkish bath, and a kitchen and hospice for the poor.
Time to get lost in covered bazaar boasting with over 4000 shops
inside. Just feel free to stroll around the shops. Dinner will be
served at the hotel. Get ready to taste the Ottoman
Imperial cuisine. Rest of
the night is yours in Istanbul [B] [L] [D]
DAY 5 PALACES OF
ISTANBUL
Today we'll explore
the imperial palaces of
Ottoman era. First we'll explore Dolmabahçe Palace. It was built in
the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I. The vast reception
saloon with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier weighing four
and a half tons and lit by 750 lights charm visitors. At one time,
birds from all over the world were kept in the Bird Pavilion for the
delight of the palace's privileged residents. Ataturk, founder of
the Turkish Republic, died in Dolmabahce on the 10th of November,
1938. After luch we'll pass Beylerbeyi Palace built by Sultan
Abdulaziz in the 19th century. This Palace is used as the Sultan's
summer residence, it was offered to the most distinguished with its
white marble amid magnolia-filled gardens, on the Bosphorus Asian
shore. Empress Eugenie of France was among its residents. Next we'll
pass Kuzguncuk District to see the Synagogues and walk through to
Üsküdar. The Harem coast promenade boulevard gives the visitor a
chance to see the skyline of Istanbul. Tonight we'll have a special
farewell dinner in one of the famous restaurants [B] [L] [D]
DAY 6 END OF OUR
SERVICE
Today is the last
day of our service. We'll provide for your service to Atatürk
Airport. End of our service and it's time to have your present in
order to make this trip memorial. It'll be pleasure to host you in
Turkey again as there are so many things to see. Thanks for choosing
the right agency. [B] |
