LIST OF DAILY OR ROUND TRIP CULTURAL TOURS

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

HAGIA 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 events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, 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.

* HALF DAY MORNING TOURS TERMINATE AT SULTANAHMET CENTER IN FRONT OF HAGIA SOPHIA

TOPKAPI PALACE, imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting treasury section, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. (Harem is not included in the program and visit it due to an extra entrance fee)

RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE, designed by the court architect Sinan for the Grand Vizier of Suleyman The Magnificent. A typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near the Spice Bazaar, famed with its exquisite and colorful tiles set in floral and geometric designs.

HAGIA SOPHIA
BLUE MOSQUE
HIPPODROME
OBELISK OF THEODOSIUS
SERPENTINE COLUMN
GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II
GRAND COVERED BAZAAR (Art Demonstration of Turkish Carpets)
Lunch
TOPKAPI PALACE (Harem section is not included in the program and visit is due to extra an entrance fee)
RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE

also visioned during the tour
GALATA BRIDGE / GOLDEN HORN / LEANDER' S TOWER

CLOSED
Hagia Sophia on Monday
Topkapi Palace on Tuesday
Replaced with Kariye (St. Savior in Chora) Museum
Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday

SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc.

BOSPHORUS CRUISE, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.

RUMELI FORTRESS (from the sea/no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.

* HALF DAY MORNING TOURS TERMINATE AT SULTANAHMET CENTER IN FRONT OF HAGIA SOPHIA

In the afternoon Spice Bazaar maybe substituted with Zindan Han.

ZINDAN HAN, built during the Byzantine Empire. It was the first Women Prison in the world by the Ottomans, restored back to the original style nowadays.

also visioned during the tour:
IMPERIAL GARDENS OF ROYAL YILDIZ PALACE
CIRAGAN PALACE HOTEL KEMPINSKI
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents BEYLERBEYI PALACE
from the sea

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Bosphorus tours are practiced with regular boat if minimum number of attendants is not provided for the private boat

BOSPHORUS BRIDGE, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.

CAMLICA HILL, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view.

also visioned during the tour
IMPERIAL GARDENS OF ROYAL YILDIZ PALACE / CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI HOTEL
DOLMABAHCE PALACE / BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents
BEYLERBEYI PALACE
from the sea

CLOSED
Dolmabahce Palace on Monday and Thursday
Replaced with Kariye (St.Savior in Chora) Museum,
Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar on Sunday
Replaced with Authentic Shops

Cruise in the MARMARA SEA to PRINCES' ISLANDS by Maritime Lines boat. Stop at BUYUKADA, the popular summer resort with sandy beaches and pinewood scenery, once the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes.

Tour of the island with horse-drawn carriages before lunch at a fish restaurant.

Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels.

also visioned during the tour
TOPKAPI PALACE / LEANDER' S TOWER / USKUDAR
from the sea

Dinner with a rich variety of specialities from the Turkish and international cuisine including unlimited local drinks on board of a Bosphorus yacht. Belly dancers... Folklore show...

Cruise through the Bosphorus waterway separating the two continents Europe and Asia, viewing the architectural masterpieces from different times of history; marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman style besides modern residentials.

Tour ends approximately at 24:00.

Dinner at a first class restaurant with limited local drinks included, watching spectacular FLOORSHOW of famous BELLY DANCERS, typical ANATOLIAN FOLK DANCES. Groups featuring popular musical instruments and Turkish singer.

Tour ends approximately at 23:30.

Golden Horn + Historical Peninsula + Bosphorus (approximately 22 minutes)

(Visioned During The Tour)

Golden Horn: Miniaturk, Eyup Sultan, Pierre Loti Cafe, Feshane, Main City Walls, Kariye Museum, Rahmi Koc Museum, Metal Church (St. Stephan of Bulgars), Patriarchate of Fener, Fatih Mosque, Church of Pantocrator, Aqueduct of Valens, Municipality, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge.

Historical Peninsula (Old City): Suleymaniye Mosque, Beyazit Tower, Grand Covered Bazaar, Hippodrome, Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace.

Bosphorus: Haydarpasa Train Station (Asia), Commercial Port of Istanbul (Asia), Touristic Port of Istanbul (Europe), Selimiye Military Headquartes-Florence Nightengale (Asia), Leander' s Tower, Taksim Square (Europe), Dolmabahce Palace (Europe), Bosphorus Bridge, Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski (Europe), Beylerbeyi Palace (Asia), Kuleli Military School (Asia), Bay of Bebek (Europe), Rumeli Castle (Europe), Bosphorus Bridge of Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror, Anatolian Castle (Asia), Bay of Tarabya (Europe), Sariyer (Europe), Mouth of Black Sea.

Capacity: 6 guests
Take Off & Landing Point: Miniaturk
Tour Departure Days and Times: Saturday or Sunday between 15:00 - 17:00

PLEASE CONTACT FOR PRICE & DETAILED INFORMATION

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Flight lasts approximately 22 minutes with professionally trained pilots.
Tour operates with minimum 4 guests.
You may book even for one passenger but if the minimum number of passengers (4) is not met, your tour will not run and is subject to rescheduling.
We disclaim any responsibility if/when tours are cancelled if minimum number of passengers is not met.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
Private tours are available every day.
High insurance limits.
Cancellation is not possible in the last 24 hours and there will be no refund, even partially.
We reserve the right to alter, reschedule or cancel the tour without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances or unsuitable weather conditions.

THE STORY OF TURKISH JEWS who were deported from Spain in 1492 living in Turkiye more than 500 years in peace & harmony.

Start after breakfast for a tour in the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood GALATA, with its famous tower built by the Genoese. Visit to NEVE SHALOM SYNAGOGUE or ASHKENAZ SYNAGOGUE (according to availability). Drive to BALAT along the GOLDEN HORN, residential area of the Ottoman Jews where the "Star of David" still appears on the facades of some buildings. Visit to the AHRIDA SYNAGOGUE, built in the 15th century and the JEWISH HOSPITAL (Or-Ahayim) from outside.

Visit to the ZULFARIS JEWISH MUSEUM of the Quincentennial Foundation, and the "Oldies House" at Haskoy. The JEWISH CEMETERY where the martyrs of Neve Shalom are buried. Stop at Ortakoy, first disembark point of the Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain by the religious disturbance of the Spanish King and Queen, desperate on the ships in the middle of the sea, not being accepted by any European country, except the Ottoman Sultan Bayezit Khan II., who welcommed them offering a safe and peaceful life. Last visit to ETZ-AHAYIM SYNAGOGUE.

Photocopy of the pictured, pages of passport / identity card needed for advanced reservation.

Tour Includes:

Round trip transfers, A/C private transportation, professional guidance, entrance fees, lunch in the full day tour and V.A.Tax (18%); excludes drinks. Please let us know for kosher meal or to upgrade your restaurant.

Dedicated to the 2009th birthday of Jesus Christ

The PATRIARCHATE at Fener, by the Golden Horn, is the heart of Orthodox Christianity. After Constantine the Great's declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium. With the conquest (1453) of Ottoman Empire the seat of Patriarchate remained in Istanbul.

METAL CHURCH (St. Stephan of Bulgars)

CHURCH OF PANAGIA BLACHERNAE, the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin located near Golden Horn. Famed with the hagiasma (fountain of holy water), good to cure health problems, and the Hagion Lousma (sacred bath) good to clean the soul, where the emperor also came to purify himself.

ST. SAVIOR IN CHORA (Kariye), originally a Byzantine monastery, dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior, survived with fantastic mosaics and frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible, the life and miracles of Jesus.

Church of ST. MARY PAMMACARISTOS (Fethiye), built in XI. century by John Comnenus, displaying the aesthetic refinement attained to Paleologan age, originally belonged to a convent of nuns. Housed the Patriarchate for a while after the conquest.

ZOODOCHOS PEGE AT BALIKLI, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege, with an underground cistern, full of gold fish related to a well-known miracle and the fountain of holy water, believed to cure many diseases, is one of the most celebrated shrines.

The monastic complex of Christ PANTOCRATOR (Zeyrek) was one of the largest and best organized of the Byzantine period, comprising two churches and a funerary chapel, baths, a hospice for the aged, a hospital and a medical school, a hostel for travellers and a library. -from outside-

ST. SERGIUS & BACCHUS, a landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the "Little Hagia Sophia" because its general plan is a precursor of the Hagia Sophia. -from outside-

HAGIA SOPHIA, for many centuries was the largest church of Christendom, dedicated to Divine Wisdom, an attribute of Christ. Hagia Sophia played an important role as emperors were crowned and many victories were celebrated in this remarkable building.

HAGIA EIRENE, the old patriarchal church with its impressive size stands next to Hagia Sophia. -from outside-

CLOSED
St. Savior in Chora and St. Mary Pammacaristos on Wednesday

Tour Includes:
Round trip transfers, A/C private transportation, professional guidance, entrance fees, lunch in the full day tour and V.A.Tax (18%); excludes drinks. Please let us know if you prefer to upgrade your restaurant.

On our nearly 2 hours long tour, you will be shown the highlights of Istanbul with the best possibilities to take photographs.

City Sightseeing buses are the most original and comprehensive way of discovering the city's main highlights and points of interest. You may hop off at any of the mentioned HO-HO points and hop on to the next bus, on the same day of the tour, with the same ticket.

The latest technical advantages will serve you as multilingual audio-guiding system in original commentary of 8 different languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Turkish) with personal earphones for each guest.

Timetable

Duration: 90 - 100 minutes (approximately)
High Season:
Every hour between 10:00 - 18:00 from Sultanahmet Center
Every hour between 10:30 - 18:30 from Taksim Square
Low Season:
Every hour between 10:00 - 16:00 from Sultanahmet Center
Every hour between 10:30 - 16:30 from Taksim Square

Meeting Points

Starting Point (Main Station): Our Red Kiosk Across St. Sophia at Sultanahmet Center.
Second Point: Our Red Kiosk At Taksim Square.