DAY 1 (D)
Arrive in Istanbul, where your tour manager will meet you and ensure you are comfortably transferred to your hotel.
Before dinner a short stroll around the Hippodrome, once Constantinople’s great arena for chariot races and public entertainment. Welcome dinner at the Ottoman Restaurant by the Golden Horn.
DAY 2 (B, L, D)
A day spent exploring the Byzantine Istanbul, starting with the majestic great church of Divine Wisdom; the Hagia Sophia. Next, to the extraordinary Underground Cistern that reflects the extremes of its periods engineering skills. The Mosaic Museum, with original ornamental pavements from the Great Palace of the Emperors will be our last stop before lunch.
In the afternoon we see the splendid Church of the Pantocrator, now a mosque, then return to our hotel for a short rest. We depart for the Bosphorus strait to board our private motor yacht for an early evening cruise alongside the beautiful mansions, palaces and gardens dressing the banks towards the Black Sea. Disembark on the European bank of the channel for our dinner at a seafood restaurant, very popular among locals.
DAY 3 (B, L)
Following breakfast meet our Byzantine Arts History lecturer Dr. Engin Akyurek. After a brief introduction depart to the Church of the Saviour; Chora, a jewelhouse of late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, all very well preserved. Lunch will be served in the Chora neighborhoods Asitane Restaurant, specialized in Ottoman cuisine.
After being introduced to Ottoman tastes, its time to be introduced to Ottoman Art. We drive to the Topkapi Palace, opulent residence of the Sultans and the political centre of the Empire.
We will be guided through its magnificent collections and treasury. Last stop of our day will be to the world famous Grand Bazaar; known as one of the earliest shopping malls of the history with its over 3000 shops and colorful atmosphere.
Return to the hotel, dinner on our own.
DAY 4 (B, L)
Breakfast and check out from hotel. Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque; also known as the Blue Mosque due to the reputation of its interior tiles. Drive beside the majestic land walls of Constantinople to Yedikule, the ‘ Fortress of the Seven Towers ‘ built by Mehmet the Conqueror and used as a notorious prison. Late lunch will be served on the Marmara Sea front before transfer to the airport for our return flights.
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