Informazioni generali
| Destinazione | Categoria |
|---|
| Istanbul, Turchia | Visite guidate |
Il programma nel dettaglio
FIRST DAY
Broaden your Istanbul savvy and learn more about this city’s amazing history with this tour of some of the most iconic landmarks the area has to offer. Your first stop is a breath-taking Roman Hippodrome, where chariots used to race and clash in the faraway times of the Byzantine Empire.
Then this tour takes you to some of the most impressive constructions not only in Turkey but in the Balkan region. Set eyes upon the magnificence of the Blue Mosque, the only mosque with six minarets, and the Hagia Sophia, also known as the Church of Divine Wisdom. These two wonders are some of the most outstanding examples of Ottoman architecture. Also see the German Fountain, a gazebo-like construction that the Kaiser Wilhelm II gave as a gift to the Ottoman Empire.
After a detour into the Grand Bazaar, where you will see local vendors elaborate Turkish handicrafts, set route for the Topkapi Museum, the most impressive museum in Turkey. Filled with antique art, here you get a great insight into the life of the ruling classes of the Ottoman Empire. The amount of wealth contained in the building is tantalizing and staggering.
Last but not least, follow your guide past the beautiful Hagia Irene Church and wrap up the trip at the Church of Sergius and Bacchus; for friends: the Petite Hagia Sophia Mosque. These two buildings are an excellent finishing touch to a day full of awe-inspiring architecture.
SECOND DAY
This is an alternative Bosphorus cruise for travellers with limited time to spend in Istanbul. On this guided tour you will learn all about the role of this waterway in this magical city's rich history, visiting the Egyptian Bazaar before boarding a river cruiser for an exhilarating cruise along the Bosphorus. Then visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, the residence of the last sultan, and behold the timeless grandeur of this window on Asia.
After meeting your guide you’ll head straight for the 17th century Egyptian Bazaar. This amazing market is the second largest covered shopping complex in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar. The bazaar was (and still is) the centre for spice trade in Istanbul and the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
After a brief visit to Rustem Pasa Mosque, head to the embankment to board a river cruiser and head out into the Bosphorus. Admire the stunning views as you glide past the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces as well as the wooden villas and mansions of the rich and powerful, past and present, and the imposing Rumeli Fortress.
The highlight of this tour is the guided visit to Dolmabahçe Palace. This jewel of Ottoman architecture was built by Sultan Abdulmecid between 1843 and 1856. The sumptuous taste and splendour of the time can be seen in every corner and detail of the lavish furnishings and décor; the Bohemian crystal chandeliers, the Crystal Staircase or the magnificent handmade Hereke carpet in the Great Ceremonial Hall.
Meeting/pick-up point: Pick up from the hotel on both days.
Start/opening time: At 8am – 8:30am both days.
End/closing time: At 5pm – 5:30pm both days.
Languages: English.
Others: Please note: Topkapi Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced with Chora Museum. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with Spice Bazaar. For groups of 10 to 15 pax, headphones will be provided. As mosques are closed on Fridays, there will only be external visits on that day.
English
Русский