Istanbul, Turkey

Arrive at the Istanbul Airport. Upon your arrival you will meet our representative and later get transferred to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

Live and breathe all aspects of vibrant Istanbul as you soak up its sights, sounds and aromas on this comprehensive tour of its many highlights. Split between Europe and Asia, this sprawling metropolis is a true melting pot of cultures and is home to over 14 million people. Bisected by the mighty Bosporus and full of history and intrigue at every turn, Istanbul is an unforgettable spectacle to behold.

First stop is the famous Spice Bazaar. With a strong Egyptian influence, exotic aromas of fruits, flowers and, of course, a multitude of spices fill the air and flood the senses. Be sure to purchase some for yourself. Next you will hop on a boat and cruise leisurely down the Bosporus past the marble palaces and ancient wooden villas, which date back to the Ottoman Empire. Glide past the imposing Rumelia Fortress, built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II as he prepared to conquer Constantinople. Do not forget to bring your camera to capture these impressive sights.

Satisfy your hunger after the cruise with a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, sampling all the local delicacies that have made Istanbul famous. After lunch you will drive along the coastline to the majestic Dolmabahce Palace, which is home to the sultans of the powerful Ottoman Empire and featuring an incredible 4.5-ton chandelier. Continue over to the Asian side of Istanbul and place one foot in each continent before climbing the Çamlica Hill for an awe-inspiring panoramic view over the city and the Bosporus.

The car-free Princes’ Islands are only a short ferry ride from Istanbul, and provide a welcome break from the city heat and bustle. The morning begins when you are picked from your hotel at 08:00 and transferred to the ferry terminal for a cruise on the Sea of Marmara heading for Büyükada, the largest of the nine islands making up the archipelago. On the way you’ll be able to enjoy great views of the Topkapi Palace, Leander’s Tower and Üsküdar on Istanbul’s Asian shore. Büyükada is a popular resort for the locals in the summer with its white sandy beaches and fragrant pine forests, but it was once a place of exile for Byzantine Emperors (and Leon Trotsky) as well as a popular retreat for wealthy Istanbulites in the first half of the 20th Century. You’ll be delighted by this small piece which is traffic-free paradise. When you explore some of the islands’ quiet back streets, you’ll feel as if you’ve found your way back to the late 19th century and an Istanbul that no longer exists on the mainland. Tour the island in a horse-drawn carriage before having lunch in one of the island’s many pleasant restaurants. We’ll return to Istanbul in the afternoon arriving back at your hotel at around 17:00.

This full-day tour includes hotel pick up and drop off and transfer to the port, a return boat rides to the island of Büyükada with a guided tour, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, lunch in a local restaurant (drinks are not included, vegetarian option included on request).

After breakfast check out at from the hotel and get transferred to the airport to board your flight back to your home country.