NEW! Search our site »
Green Istanbul Tour Package
Duration: 08 Days / 06 Nights
Highlights: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum,
Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Golden
Horn, Bosphorus Cruise, Camlica Hill, Dolmabahce Palace, Princess' Islands,
Taksim, Istiklal Avenue, Galata Tower, Pera, Beyoglu, Galata Bridge, Sirkeci
Train Station, Beykoz, Sile, Agva
Departure Dates: Everyday
Note: All Istanbul tour packages are modular and you can
use these itineraries as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries
to accommodate your personal requirements and desires to find your perfect
holiday.
Day 01 Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be met by us and accompanied
during your transfer to your hotel. You have the afternoon and evening free
to relax and/or check out the city.
Day 02 Istanbul City Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
We will leave hotel in the morning to visit the Sultanahmet Square and the
spectacular Blue Mosque decorated with beautiful 17th century Iznik tiles.
Then stroll around the historical Hippodrome where chariot races were once
held. Continue with the Hagia Sophia / St. Sophia and Museum. An early Christian
church, later converted to a mosque under Ottoman rule, this magnificent
temple now serving as a museum with all the artefacts from the Byzantine
era intact, is especially famous for its mosaics. After lunch, we will visit
the Topkapi Palace Museum, the residence of the legendary Ottoman Sultans,
now converted into a museum. It consists of several exhibition halls, such
as the Treasury, the porcelain section, Armoury and Holy Relics. We will
complete this historical day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi)
and return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 03 Bosphorus Cruise & Dolmabahce Palace Tour (Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch)
We will take you to Spice Market, still in use as one of the world’s largest
spice bazaars since 1665. Next, we will board the ferries across the Bosphorus
which will take us to both European and Asian sides of the city. This beautiful
voyage will take you along the shores of Bosphorus and you will see the
Rumeli Fortress from the 15th century as well as the seaside summer palaces
and unique wooden houses of the area, as well as the natural beauty of the
forests above. The last stop on the cruise is the fishing village of Sariyer,
close to the Black Sea. From there on we will drive you by coach via the
world’s only Intercontinental Bridge Bosphorus Bridge to take you to Camlica
Hill on the Asian side. Camlica is the highest tip in Istanbul where you
will enjoy breathtaking views of Istanbul. We will visit the Dolmabahce
Palace, the residence of the royal Ottoman family with original furniture
and magnificent gardens. After the tour, you will be transferred your hotel.
Day 04 Princess' Islands Cruise Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Today you will take a morning ferry ride to Buyukada, the biggest of the
Princess Islands which used to be the summer resort for the wealthy non-Muslim
community. There will be a tour of the Island by horse drawn carriages,
a wonderful patio lunch and free time to do shopping, walking around the
island (where there is no motor vehicles traffic). You will feel as though
you have stepped back into a more leisured and gracious age, almost expecting
grand 19th century ladies and gentlemen to come strolling down to the waterfront
on an afternoon promenade. Or, you may just lie down in the sun and relax.
Lunch will be at one of the many excellent traditional fish-restaurants
on the waterfront, gazing across the water at the Asian shore of Istanbul,
so close though it feels worlds away. A ferry ride in the evening will take
us back to the city and drive to your hotel for overnight.
Day 05 Orients of Istanbul Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Meet the guide and continue to Taksim Square and walk to Istiklal Caddesi
(Independence Avenue). When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople
(Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue
de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi) and its half-European, half-Asian culture. Halfway
along the avenue toward the southwest is Galatasaray Square, easily recognizable
by the grand gates to Galatasaray Lisesi, the first European-style lycée
(high school) erected by the Ottoman government. See the Church of St. Anthony,
established in 1725 to serve transient foreigners and the many families
who stayed on in the Sultan's dominions. Afterwards, walk to the historic
Pera Palas Hotel, built to accommodate the pampered travellers arriving
aboard the Orient Express including Agatha Christie. Afterwards walk to
the Galata district and see the Galata Tower, which has dominated Beyoglu's
skyline since 1348 and still offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
You then take the tram built in 1875, which is Europe's 2nd oldest and perhaps
the world's shortest subway Tunel, 573 meters, the trip takes 1.5 minutes
rather than a 20 minute walk down the steepest streets of Istanbul. From
there we walk back to hotel via Galata Bridge and Sirkeci Train Station.
Day 06 Black Sea - Sile & Agva Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Istanbul is a beautiful city of many sights and sounds. But the Black Sea
coast offers landscapes at least as interesting and spectacular as those
found in the city. They are right there waiting to be discovered. Heading
northeast of Istanbul on the Anatolian side, we will arrive in Sile, a small
Black Sea fishing town situated on rocks. Known for it’s sandy beaches and
famous ‘Sile bezi’, an open-weave cotton fabric, it is the perfect first
stop for our tour. Once a port of call for ships sailing east from the Bosphorus,
enjoy a stroll along the fishing harbor or relax with a tea at the hilltop
cafe overlooking the Sile lighthouse. On the way to Ağva we come across
picturesque traditional Turkish villages like Kabakoz and Suaybli where
time seems to have stood still. So near to Istanbul distance-wise, yet so
far in their way of life. Experience the friendless and curiosity of these
villagers.
Continuing along the coastal route we arrive in Ağva, deep in nature and
situated between the Yeşilçay and Göksu rivers that flow into the Black
Sea. Upon arrival you will find peace in a leisurely a boat ride down the
Göksu river. Set in a landscape so green and rich, bask in the sights of
Ağva. After taking in a magnificent view overlooking the sea and bluffs,
we will break for lunch where you may dine on the local fish. Next you will
have a choice to truly unwind in the beauty of the Black Sea region by either
relaxing along the Göksu river, or on one of Ağva’s sandy beaches. Surrounded
by forest and cliffs, the fresh, blue green waters of the sea are calling
you. Get lost in nature. We will take the forest route on our return trip.
Because of it’s mild, damp climate, this region is heavily forested, and
here is where we make our final stop. Relaxed with a tea as you sway in
a hammock at a forest cafe. A perfect ending to a day rich in nature.
Day 07 Free Day in Istanbul (Meal: Breakfast)
After breakfast at your hotel, remainder of day at your leisure to take
advantage of last minute shopping or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’.
* Dinner at Kumkapi Fish Restaurants
Day 08 Departure transfer (Meal: Breakfast)
Option to extend package with additional night(s) in Istanbul or transfer
directly on to Istanbul Airport for return international flight.