Beautiful Winter in Turkey

Once you wake up enjoy your breakfast and then our representative will pick you up at around 8:30 am for a tour of Istanbul old city. We will first stop at Topkapi Palace, which according to our guides, many tourists are amazed by its stunning architecture. This palace was home to ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century and there you will see unique collections of silver, crystal and Chinese porcelain and also robes that were worn by the sultans and their families. After there our tour guide will take you to the St Sophia, which is a historical basilica constructed by Constantine the Great during the 4th century. The same building was reconstructed in the 6th century by Justinian and also travellers have testified that the structure is an architectural marvel.

We will also take you to Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque which is right next to St Sophia which is also called the Blue Mosque because of its stunning interior decorations of blue iznik tiles. You will also see the three iconic monuments at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. After there we will break for lunch at around 1300 hours and in the afternoon, we will continue the tour by visiting the Grand covered Bazaar. The bazaar has many streets with over 4,000 retail outlets and each trade has its own area such as the carpet sellers’ streets, goldsmith’s street among others. You will get the opportunity to buy Turkish arts and crafts such as brassware, trays, handhoned copperware, onyx-ware, meerschaum pipes and hand painted ceramic plates among others.

In the evening when you are done with the tour our trusted guide will transfer you back to the hotel so that you can rest for the night.

Enjoy your breakfast and then get picked up from your hotel at around 0830 hours and be taken to the Grand Spice Bazaar. Here you will be welcomed by enticing aroma od herbs and spices like thyme, cinnamon, mint and saffron among others. After there you will go to the departure point of the Bosporus Cruise and go for a traditional boat excursion through the Bosphorus strait which separates Europe and Asia.

You will spot the Dolmabahce Palace, the imperial pavilions of Yildz Palace, small fishing villages and also the Ciragan Palace. you will pass by the neighborhood of Ortakoy where many artists come together on Sundays to display their works along the street.

You will also see the Rumeli Fortress which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the year 1402 to control and also protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is constructed military style thus making it unique from other fortresses. When you arrive at the Bosphorus Bridge our guide will notify you that you are crossing from Asia to Europe. Head to Camlica Hill which is the highest point in Istanbul and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the beautiful gardens.

After the cruise we will take you for a shopping tour across Istanbul where you will see Turkish people working on items like weaving a traditional silk and carpets. Check out the jewelry and handicrafts centers and shop for some to take home with you and also enjoy the modern leatherwear show hosted there. Enjoy a Murtis Tour, where a local and knowledgeable escort will take you to haggle the streets of Istanbul. enjoy the rest of the evening exploring Istanbul and later retire to your hotel for the night.

Enjoy your breakfast in the hotel and then check out and our representative will take you back to Istanbul airport where you will catch your flight back to Dubai.