Istanbul Shore Excursion

 Tour Plan:

- Meeting at Istanbul port

- Driving to the Old City (Sultanahmet) by private car

- Meeting with your guide

- Starting the tour

- At the end of the tour, transfer back to the port

Tour Highlights

Hippodrome of Constantinople: The building, open square was once the site of a Roman circus that rivalled the Colosseum and could seat a quarter of a million spectators. Monuments on the site include the Snake Column from Delphi and an Egyptian obelisk was taken from the Temple of Karnak at Luxor.

Hagia (St.) Sophia Museum: It is one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, St. Sophia has been the largest cathedral in the world for a thousand years; it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture; after having been the Patriarchal Basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1935. (Closed on Mondays; will be replaced with Underground Cistern)

Topkapi Palace: This extraordinary and secret palace was the residence of the Imperial Ottoman Sultans and the centre of the Ottoman might for 400 years. The building is a typical example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armours, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery. (Harem sections are not included in the program and are due to extra entry) (Closed on Tuesdays; will be replaced with Underground Cistern)

Grand Bazaar: The largest covered market in the world with more than 60 streets and 4.000 shops, where you may find in an authentic oriental atmosphere all kinds of gifts, leather clothing, rugs and kilims, antiques, jewellery, hand-woven fabrics, etc. It has a quite different atmosphere. It is closed on Sundays and religious holidays.

Underground Cistern: Built by Justinian after 532, the Basilica Cistern stored water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings. Lost to memory, it was rediscovered by PetrusGyllius, who came to Constantinople in search of Byzantine monuments. Gyllius, who noticed that the local people were lowering buckets through holes in the floors of their houses to retrieve water, found an entrance and thus put this mysterious subterranean architectural surprise back on the map. A mesmerizing attraction, sure to please!

Dolmabahce Palace: The site of Dolmabahçe was originally a bay on the Bosporus which was used for the anchorage of the Ottoman fleet. The area was reclaimed gradually during the 18th century to become an imperial garden, much appreciated by the Ottoman sultans; it is from this garden that the name Dolmabahçe Filled-in Garden.

Galata Tower: During the Byzantine period, the emperor Justinian had a tower erected in what was to become Galata. This tower was destroyed during the Fourth Crusade. The famous Galata Tower of today was first built in 1348 in Romanesque style as the Christea Turris during an expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. After the Genoese colony was dismantled and the walls pulled down in 1453, the tower was used as a prison in the 16th century. It was from its roof that, in 1638, Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi strapped on wings and made the first intercontinental flight, landing in the Dogancılar Meydanı in Uskudar on the Asian side of the city, a story of doubtful authenticity recounted by the Ottoman travel writer, Evliya Celebi.

Bosphorus Cruise: You will be speechless in the face of the beauty of Istanbul. If you want to feel privileged and have pleasant moments on the Bosphorus, the symbol of the city, Private Bosphorus Cruise with Luxury Yacht Rental is exactly what you need. You are invited to witness the unique beauty of Istanbul. Do not miss this chance!

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