Day 1
Arrival In Istanbul
The tour begins with your arrival at the Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Turkey. Meet up with our local representative, who will be responsible for your transfer to the Avantgarde Hotel in Taksim followed by your check-in in the appointed room. The rooms boast of facilities like air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, and more. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. Hence, we recommend you step out and experience the local Turkish hospitality that the area has to offer at the numerous bars, restaurants and cafes that can be found in the city. The day ends with an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2
Full Day Istanbul-Old City Tour with Lunch
Day two begins with an early morning breakfast followed by a meet up with the tour guide and heading out for a full-day tour of the city of Istanbul. The full-day tour will ensure that you will discover some of the most magnificent sites of historical Istanbul, coming in contact with the historical wonders of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires while uncovering the roots of modern-day Turkish culture. Explore the heart of the Old City, the seat of two of history's most notorious empires.
Next, the tour will visit the Hagia Sophia, which is a wonder of ancient architecture, a basilica constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Just across from the Hagia Sophia stands the famous Blue Mosque with its striking blue iconic tiles and its unique 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. The next location will be the Hippodrome, which was a centre for sporting events like chariot races, as well as political activities in the Old City. It is decorated by the Serpentine Column and by the Obelisk of Theodosius with the German Fountain of Wilhelm II in the backdrop.
Making Hippodrome one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions. Post this we stop for a massive Turkish feast in the form of lunch. After which we move on to the Topkapi Palace, which served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. This massive residence is home to imperial treasures, sacred Islamic relics of the prophet Mohammed, Chinese porcelain, weapons and much more. You'll get to visit the Sultan Tombs at the Hagia Sophia, too. After this, the tour comes to an end and the group heads back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
The night will be at your own leisure.
Day 3
Day at Leisure & Evening Bosphorus Cruise with dinner
Post Breakfast, the rest of the day will be at your own leisure. We recommend a stroll across the local market in Taksim and Taksim Square. In the evening the group will be escorted to the Bosphorus river for a cruise and dinner aboard the boat.
Day 4
Day at Leisure or take an optional tour with additional charges
Tour: FULL DAY PRINCES’ ISLAND TOUR ON SHARING IN COACH BASIS (09:00-17:00)
Price: AED 185 per person
After a delicious breakfast, the rest of the day is at your leisure. However, if you choose for the optional full-day tour of Princes Island. Your tour guide will pick you up from the hotel’s main porch. The tour will include a visit to the following sights with an experienced and licensed professional tour guide. The locations would include a visit to Princess Island (Buyuk Ada), where you would cruise the beautiful Marmara Sea via a boat from the Princes' Island.
Next, you would take the ferry to one of the Princes' Islands, Buyukada (Big Island) which is a quiet seafront town and summer holiday escape from the city. Leaving the Golden Horn by ferry, you will round at the Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point), the headland from which the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque can be seen. We will pass four islands with their charming old Ottoman houses on full display and finally reach Buyukada, the largest of the islands. Upon arrival to the island, you will see the lavish lifestyle that the Ottomans used to follow.
There are several mansions and other beautiful Victorian summer villas around the island. You will have free time to explore the elegant old wooden mansions and beautiful natural scenery of the region. Post this you will head on out for a delicious lunch in a cosy sea-side fish restaurant while relaxing on the deck looking back at the domes and minarets among skyscrapers of modern Istanbul's skyline. This is a perfect day for relaxing and enjoying one of Istanbul's residents' favourite summer retreats.
Day 5
Departure
Post breakfast, head for a check-out at the reception. After check-out, the group will be transferred to the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport . Followed by a flight back to your home country while cherishing the memories of the tour that will stay with you for a lifetime.