MELIOR TRAVEL DAILY CITY TOURS

DEPARTURE:  EVERY DAY

LAST DEPARTURE MARCH 2020

Culture, history, arts, leisure, adventure, whichever is the motto of your trip, you will find such many things in Istanbul.

HIGHLIGHTS

ISTANBUL OF CONSTANTİN

HIGHLIGHTS

Hippodrome Square

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Basilica Cistern

Restaurant ‘Pandeli’

Private Boat Tour on the Bosphporus

Departure from your hotel to Hippodrome Square, once sporting ground of chariots and political riots in Byzantine Empire. We will see 3500 years old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Constantin the Porphyrogenitus and  Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain. Nearby visit the Blue Mosque, designed with six elegant minarets and striking blue tiled interior. Then visit the Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church built by emperror Justinian the Great, atypical masterpiece of byzantine architecture with its magnificient 6th century golden mosaics. Visit the Basilica Cistern ‘Sunken Palace for turks’ wich immerses visitors in a humid and mystique atmosphere then take a stroll through the exotic and colorful Egyptian Bazaar. Lunch at ‘Pandeli Restaurant’ inside the Egyptian Bazaar. Afternoon, boat tour along the european and asiatic shores of Bosphporus where we are going to relax and contemplate the beauty of forests, palaces, mosques, picturesque bosphorus villages, Ottoman summer mansions, fortresses and the famous silhouette of the city. Drop off to your hotel.

TREASURES OF ISTANBUL 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Topkapı Palace (including Harem)

Restaurant ‘Konyalı’

Istanbul Archeological Museum

Grand Bazaar

Departure from your hotel to visit the Topkapı Palace, sumptuous residence of Ottoman sultans from 15th to 19th centuries, and its famous harem. Lunch in ‘Konyalı Restaurant’ inside the Topkapı Palace. Afternoon, visit the Istanbul Arcaheological Museum which houses a rich collection of antiquities including the famous sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and magnificient Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Hittite pieces. Then visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and most attractive covered bazaar in the world where you can shop unusual antiques, beatiful jewelry, carpets and exotic textures. Drop off to your hotel.

ISTANBUL ‘MODERN’

HIGHLIGHTS

Dolmabahçe Palace (including Harem)

Restaurant ‘Vogue’

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Galata Tower

Beyoğlu district (Flower passage, Fish Market, neighbouring streets and Taksim Square)

Departure from your hotel to visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, official residence of the Ottoman Empire during the second half of th 19th century. Baroque – rokoko- neoclassical – ottoman, an eclectic style waterfront palace, decorated with  baccarat and bohemian crystal chandeliers, beatiful goblin tapestries and hereke carpets. A somptuous 285 rooms and 46 halls adorned with gold, lapis lazuli and turquoise. Lunch in the restaurant ‘Vogue’ with a manificient view over the Bosphorus and Asian side of the city. Afternoon, visit the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Former naval warehouse devoted to contemporary turkish paintings from 19th and 20th centuries and temporary exhibitions of international quality. Then visit the Galata Tower, 14th century genoese tower whose upper public balcony offers a splendid 360 degree panoramic view over the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Asian shores and Princes Islands. Then walk through the vibrant streets of Beyoğlu district from ‘Tunnel’ area to Taksim square, discovering, fish market, flower passage, catholic, greek and armenian churches,shops and coffeehouses. Drop off to your hotel.

THE PRINCE ISLANDS AND THE ASIAN COAST

HIGHLIGHTS

The Princes Islands

Restaurant ‘Milto’

Çamlıca Hill

Departure from your hotel to take the ferry to the biggest of the Princes’ Islands (Büyük Ada). During the trip we’ll se all other Princes’ Islands which served as a place of exil for disgraced princes during the byzantine period. Upon arrival, we will tour around the island and we’ll see beatiful gardens with exotic flowers and pine forests, ottoman mansions and victorian summer villas.  Then lunch in ‘Milto’, cozy, seaside seafood and fish restaurant. Afternoon, back to the asian side by ferry and visit the Çamlıca Hill, the highest point of Asian side which offers a magnificient view over Bosphorus and ancient Istanbul. Drop off to your hotel.