BOSPHORUS CRUISE & OTTOMAN HERITAGE TOUR

Bosphorus Cruise  & Ottoman Heritage Tour

Daily Full Day Tour  including lunch

Bosphorus Cruise Morning

Pick up from the hotel and join the group. We will first visit Spice Bazaar, second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul after Grand Bazaar. It is well-known for its herbalists; the Egyptian Bazaar offers traditional natural medicines, spices, flower seeds, roots and shells of rare plants along with dried nuts and fruits, deli products and various Turkish Delights.

After the Spice Bazaar we will drive along the shore of Golden Horn which is an inlet of the Bosphorus and it is the natural harbor of Old Istanbul. Then we will embark our boat for an unforgettable Cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait runs through the unique Istanbul that stands up on two different continents between Asia and Europe. During the cruise, we will have a chance to view the peerless sights ornamenting the Asian and European shores such as 19^th century wooden mansions, Rumeli  Fortress built only in 3 months by Mehmet the Conquerer, Anatolian Fortress, fanciful Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and hunting lodges. After the cruise we will drive to the restaurant for our lunch.

Lunch: Traditional Anatolian Lentil Soup , Seasonal Garden Greens Salad , Marinated Chicken Kebab in the Clay Bowl served with rice and boiled seasonal vegetables, Şekerpare Dessert (Şekerpare is one of the many delectable and popular desserts in the Turkish cuisine)

*Vegeterian menu is also available

Topkapi Palace Afternoon

After Lunch we visit the Topkapi Palace, the residence of early and mid-era Ottoman Sultans. It was principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of administration of the Ottoman Empire from 15^th to 19^th century. During our visit we will see the fabulous Imperial Treasury, the Baghdad Kiosk, Holy Relics and the Kitchen Section including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics. The Harem is also located inside the palace which was forbidden to anyone except the Sultan.

Our next stop, Hagia Eirene, the Church of the Holy Peace, is one of the few churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque, as it was used as an arsenal until the 19th century. Hagia Eirene reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple and has the distinction of being the first church built in Byzantium as it was converted into the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Our final visit will be Gülhane Park, once a part of the outer gardens of Topkapı Palace, where the Edict of Gülhane, a declaration of rights and liberties that played an essential role in the modernization of the Ottoman Empire. After the proclaimation of the Republic, Gülhane Park was for many years home to the Istanbul Zoo.  Drive back to the hotel at the end of the tour.

(This tour is not operated on Tuesdays when Topkapi Palace is closed)

Available Days

Sun  Mon  Tue  Wed  Thu  Fri  Sat  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Egyptian Spice Bazaar

• Cruise the European & Asiatic Straits of the Bosphorus

• Golden Horn

• Rumeli Fortress

• Bosphorus Bridge

• Topkapi Palace

• Holy Relics

• Hagia Eirene Church

• Gulhane Park

What's Included 

• Museum entrance fees mentioned on the itinerary

• Cruise on the Bosphorus by boat

• Professional Guidance

• Free pick up and drop off service from your hotel 

• Lunch

• Transportation with A/C vehicles

• TURSAB insurance, which covers the costs of services accepted and committed by the travel agency

What's Not Included 

• Drinks at lunch

• Optional Gratuities

PLEASE NOTE 

• We kindly ask you to be ready in the lobby of your hotel 5 minutes before your definite pick up time.

• Since Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, this tour can not be operated

PAYMENT

• No advance payment

• You can do the payment during the tour with credit card or cash

• Accepted credit cards

VIDEO

REVIEW

• 

• 

• 

•