| Region | Europe |
|---|---|
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Istanbul & Finishing: Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey! If you arrive at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST), you will be met and transferred to your starting hotel. If you arrive at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) airport please make your own way to the hotel (unless you have booked a transfer). Today is an arrival day and you are free to arrive at the joining point hotel at any time before 6pm. Please ask for your welcome note when checking in and be available in the hotel lobby at 6pm for your evening experience. Until then, head out and get your first taste of this continent-straddling metropolis that so many civilisations have called home. In the streets and laneways, discover the cosmopolitan modern world that thrives between the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. This evening you will experience a unique traditional ritual that has been proclaimed as Intangible Cultural Heritage, or Human Treasures, by UNESCO. You will visit the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre and witness a performance of the Sema, the ceremony of the Whirling Dervish. The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony represents the mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love to perfection. The ceremony involves poetry, Turkish classical music, chanting of the Koran and precise twirling that seeks to summon the divine. Dating back over 700 years, it forms an important part of the heritage of Turkish culture. After the ceremony, take the opportunity to try your first taste of local Turkish cuisine.
Day 2 - Starting: Istanbul & Finishing: Istanbul
Meet your local guide early this morning to journey in the footsteps of the city’s most famous ruler and conquer Istanbul in just a day. Head to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople), where ancient empires based themselves and historical sites intertwine with backstreets filled with hidden gems. Here you’ll visit the jaw-dropping giant church/mosque/museum of the Hagia Sofia, whose stunning construction is said to have changed the history of architecture. Don’t miss the excellent mosaics found inside. Gaze upon the beauty of the cascading domes of the Blue Mosque, so called for the blue tiles found on its interior walls, and maybe gain a deeper insight into Islam from your guide. When not erecting splendid buildings the Byzantine Emperors loved a bit of entertainment, and the hippodrome was their stadium. Inspect some of the decorative statues and obelisks that remain from a time when this now tree-lined land would hold thousands of chariot racing fans. Eat a tasty Turkish lunch with locals at a hidden café, and then listen to stories of how generations of sultans lived at the grand Topkapi Palace. The palace consists of four courts, each more lavishly decorated than the last, and the fourth has spectacular views across the Bosphorus Strait. Next, head to the edges of the Grand Bazaar, perhaps peering in to an ancient han – former inns transformed into shops dedicated to a merchant’s particular craft. Finish it all off with a backstreet tour and some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar, packed with over 3,000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books. This evening is free for you to explore more or just sit at a cafe and take in the unique atmosphere.
Day 3 - Starting: Istanbul & Finishing: Istanbul
This morning you will leave the hotel at 9am, joining other travellers to sail between Asia and Europe on a full day cruise down the Bosphorus and in to the Black Sea. Disembark first at Ortakoy, a chic, arty neighbourhood on the European side. Explore the narrow streets of trendy boutiques and take in the view of the Neo-Baroque style mosque. Continue on to Kucuksu Palace, an elaborately decorated Ottoman imperial hunting lodge on the Asian side, before stopping at the impressive Rumeli Hisari Fortress – constructed by Mehmet the Conqueror – for panoramic pictures at the narrowest point of the passage. After a traditional Turkish lunch on-board, continue to the very northern end of the Bosphorus Strait, at the mouth of the Black Sea. Stop at a hidden cove and take a swim or just enjoy the sunshine. End the cruise at the picturesque fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi, with time to stroll the streets or climb the hill to a nearby fort. Return to the port of Kabatas, when you will be dropped back at your hotel. This evening, maybe end your time in Istanbul in ultimate relaxation at a traditional Turkish hamam.
Day 4 - Starting: Istanbul & Finishing: Istanbul
Your independent Istanbul exploration comes to an end after breakfast. Perhaps choose to extend your stay and take your haggling skills back into the Great Bazaar.
View Dates
