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Istanbul & Green Bursa Tour by Coach (05 Days)
Duration: 05 Days / 04 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Bursa, Green Mosque, Green
Tomb, Sil Bazaar, Mt Uludag
Run: Everyday
Note: All Mini Turkey 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 to Istanbul
Hosgeldiniz (Welcome to Turkey). Upon clearing customs and immigration,
you will be greeted by company representetive who will arrange for you to
be driven to your hotel. Once check-in to your hotel is completed, you will
be taken for an orientation walk in the surrounding neighborhoods of your
hotel (dependant on your time of arrival). Your first night will be spent
in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Ottoman & Byzantine Relics Tour
Start your day with some sightseeing along the Bosporus, formerly Constantinople
and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. Here you can visit the Hagia Sophia
basilica, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in
the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian. Contine
on to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect
Mehmet under the orders of Sultan Ahmet I, better known as the Blue Mosque.
Follow on to the ancient Hippodrome, scene of many a chariot races and the
centre of Byzantine civic life during the Roman era. Of the ornaments which
once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze
Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Before lunch pay a visit
to Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and
passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After lunch, proceed to Topkapi
Palace, the maze of opulent buildings that was the center of the Ottoman
Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. Finally visit the Rustem Pasha
Mosque, famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles, set in beautiful floral and
geometric designs, which cover not only the facade of the porch but also
the mihrab, minbar, walls, and columns.
DAY 04 – Green Bursa Tour
Your tour today will head to Bursa, the capital of ancient Bithynia, which
sprawls across the verdant slopes af Mysian Olympus (Mt. Uludag). Travel
along the E80, the shortest way to cross the Izmit bay is using ferries
from Yalova to Eskihisar, originally part of the defensive system used to
protect the eastern approaches to Constantinople. You will then visit the
Green Mosque, one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture, which
bears its name for the wonderful green tiles which once covered the dome
and the tops of the minarets. Continue on to the Green Turbe, the tomb of
Memet I who died in 1421, located between cypress trees at the top of a
short flight of steps, it has been decoration inside and out to make it
one of the most beautiful buildings in Turkey. After the cable car which
will take you up to Mt Uludag, finally visit the Ulu Camii (The Great Mosque),
constructed of a golden-hued limestone from Mt Olympus, it measures 56m
by 68m and was the first congregational mosque erected by the Ottomans.
DAY 03 – Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace Tour
Your tour guide will met you and guide you along your tour of the Golden
Horn, the arm of the Bosphorus peninsula which separates the old and new
cities of Istanbul, now the residential area of Byzantines Jews, Italian
traders and other non-muslim minoririties. Follow the traces of history
in Balat at the Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, proceeding on to visit the
Metal Church of St Stephen the Bulgarian, Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan
Mosque and see the 21km long City Walls of Istanbul. Visit the Egyptian
Market (Spice Bazaar) built in 1664, the perfect place to shop for herbal
medicine, Turkish Delight (Lokum), spices, teas, caviar and many other culinary
delights, followed by a cruise along the Bosphorus on one of the iconic
ferries of Istanbul where you will navigable the strait between Europe and
Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. Disembarking the ferry
and enjoy your trip over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge to Camlica
Hill, the highest hill in Asiatic Istanbul and enjoy breathtaking views
of both shores. Head back to Europe with a stop at Dolmabahce Palace which
was the residence of the late royal Ottoman family with 285 rooms, 46 halls,
6 baths and 68 lavatories.
DAY 05 – Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
Following check-out from your hotel, we will arrange for transfer to the
Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.
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