*Rumeli (European)
Fortress |
1:
Half-day Bosphorus Tour
An excursion the Bosphorus, the strait separating
two continents, by boat with several stopovers on both the
European and Asian sides. |
2:
Half-day Asia Tour
An excursion to
the Asian side of Istanbul via Bosphorus Bridge connecting
the two continents, including a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace,
the summer residence of the last Ottoman Sultans, and to
Çamlica Hill to enjoy a panorama of the magnificent
city at along with a cup of Turkish Coffee. |
*Beylerbeyi
Palace |
*Hagia Sophia,
interior view |
3:
Half-day Byzantine Tour 1
Visit to the Hippodrome
marked by the majestic presence of two obelisks and
the serpent column, where people of Byzantium raced horses
and chariots and occasionally started revolutions and riots,
the Hagia Sophia museum a Byzantine masterpiece
considered to be one of the greatest temples ever built
and the Underground cistern, against reservoir that
supplied the Old city with water for centuries. supplied
the Old City with water for centuries. |
4:
Half day Byzantine Tour II
Visits to the
Chora Church sheltering some of the second Byzantine
Renaissance; the palace of Emperor Constantine the only
Byzantine palace still standing and retaining its grandeur,
and the Museum of Mosaics where an impressive collection
of artwork from various Byzantine palaces are in display. |
*Chora Museum,
Mosaic |
*Blue Mosque
|
5:
Half day Ottoman Tour I
Visit to the Blue
Mosque, an architectural masterpiece with a huge dome
and slender minarets, where the hand-decorated blue tiles
on the interior walls give a special quality to light and
earn the structure its name, and the Topkapi Palace
which, in addition to being the royal residence of the Ottoman
Sultans, was the administrative heart of the empire. |
6:
Half day Ottoman Tour II
Visit to the Egyptian
Bazaar, a typical oriental atmosphere with numerous
spice shops; to the Rüstempasa Mosque, a lovely
example of Ottoman art with wonderful interior tiles; the
Süleymaniye Mosque, a most majestic mosque finished
at the peak of Ottoman splendor during the reign of Sultan
Süleyman the magnificent, a fitting expression
of the glory of the times; and the Grand Bazaar,
built like small and symmetrical city, housing about 4000
shops. |
*Grand Bazaar
|
*Dolmabahçe
Palace |
7:
Half day Ottoman Tour III
Visit to the Dolmabahçe
Palace, the impressive residence of the later Ottoman
Sultans with its vast reception hall supported by 56 columns
and to the Rumeli (European) Fortress built by Sultan
Mehmet The Conquerer in only four months during his campaign
for the conquest of Istanbul. |
8:
Half day Tour of Museums
Visit to the Museum
of Turkish and Islamic Arts where the finest examples
of handicrafts are in display; and the Archaeological
Museum with its very rich collection of antiquities. |
*Archeological
Museum |
*Neve Shalom
Synagogue |
9:
Half day Istanbul Jewish Heritage
Visit Galata
Tower , Neve Shalom Synagogue, The Ashkenazi
Sinagogue. |
10:
Istanbul by Night
Departure from the
hotel for an a la carte dinner at Kervansaray Night Club
or Orient House including ½ bottle of 70 cl.
Wine. Dinner accompanied by famous belly dancers, folk groups
from different regions of Anatolia and Turkish stars
singing Turkish and international songs. |
*Belly Dancer,
performing a show |
