Destinations & Itinerary
Day1 Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel, remainder of day at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 Ottoman Byzantine Relics Tour – Istanbul
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 3 Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour – Istanbul
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 Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the royal Ottoman family with original furniture and magnificent gardens. After the tour, you will be transferred your hotel.
Day 4 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 5 Departure Transfer
Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Istanbul International Airport.
Please take note of the following:
* The order of visiting sights, may vary slightly from time to time
* Clothing: Entrance to Mosques and Churches visited in our tours is not allowed to gentlemen and ladies with no proper outfit
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time.
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops.
* Optional Dinner and Oriental Belly & Folk Dance Show
What’s Included:
* Airport Return Transfer to hotel
* 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation + 4 Hotel Breakfasts
* Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
* Fully guided tour with the services of an experienced and qualified professional tour guide
* Luxury non-smoking air-conditioned coach
* On ground support and access to True Blue Tour Istanbul offices should you require any further assistance
* All Admission Fees.
* Lunch On Tours
* V.A.T.
