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Istanbul, Turkey

Largest city of Turkey. Approximate population 15 milion people. First settlement dates back to 5000BC. Legendary founder of the city is named as Byzas. Byzas founded the city in 7^th BC and named it as Byzantion. Till 4^th century Byzantion was a minor settlement. In the 4^th century AD Roman Emperor Constantine ordered the expansion the city. He selected the city as the new capital of the Asia Province of Roman Empire. After the split of Roman Empire. Constantinopolis became the capital of Byzantine Empire. In 1453 Ottoman Empire conqured the city. After the foundation of Turkish Rebuplic in 1923 capital moved to Ankara.

Below please find suggested itineraries design for cruise travellers. If you would like to make a combination of the sites just e-mail us.

Istanbul No.1
Half Day Highlights Tour of Istanbul (4 hours)
Meet with your guide in front of the Istanbul port passenger Terminal. Drive along the old city walls and under the ancient Roman aqueduct on the way to St Sophia, the splendid Church of Divine Wisdom built in the 4th century BC. St Sophia's dome was then the largest in the world. After several conquests and pillages, the building was converted into a mosque, but fell into disrepair as the centuries passed. The mosaics were uncovered in the 1900s and the church was dedicated as a Byzantine-Ottoman museum. Your next stop is at the Hipodrome. Nearby is the Blue Mosque, named for its richly adorned interior of magnificent Iznik tiles. Enjoy some time at the Grand Bazaar for some shopping.
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Istanbul No.2
Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Side (8 hours)
After meeting with your guide, proceed through the commercial area passing Ottoman monuments to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar (closed on Sunday) for a short visit. Then take the local ferry to start an unforgetable excursion between two continents, Europe & Asia. The cruise takes you along the latest palaces of Ottomans, The Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi, as well as 19th and 20th century, beautiful wooden Kiosks. Mansions and modern villas which form the elegant section of the city. Enjoy the scenery. After lunch, a pleasant drive to the Asian part of Istanbul through suspension Bosphorus Bridge. Visit Beylerbeyi Palace. The palace was the famous summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its magnificent gardens and breathtaking richness. The Beylerbeyi Palace lying on the beautiful shores of the Bosphorus is fully furnished and it is a perfect example of the late Ottoman architecture. Continue to the highest hill of Istanbul called Camlica where you will enjoy a very impressive panoramic view of Istanbul.
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Istanbul No.3

Half Day Tour - Bosphorus Cruise (4 hours)
Experience a delightful, relaxing sightseeing on this sightseeing tour. After meeting with your guide, proceed through the commercial area passing Ottoman monuments to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar (closed on Sunday) for a short visit. Board the local ferry to start an unforgetable excursion between two continents, Europe & Asia. Take the opportunity to be acquainted with Istanbul`s past Ottoman palaces, wooden 19th century waterfront mansions, modern pleasure palaces and fortresses. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and the perfect opportunity for taking photographs along both shores of this fabled waterway. Cruise will end in Sariyer, a charming fishing village located on the Bosphorus near the Black Sea.
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Istanbul No. 4
Fullday Highlights of Istanbul (8 hours)
Meet with your guide in front of the Istanbul port passenger Terminal. Drive along the old city walls and under the ancient Roman aqueduct on the way to view the best of Istanbul's stunning architecture and attractions. The impressive Hippodrome is your first stop. Then visit the Blue Mosque named for the vivid Iznik tiles which line its interior. Browse the amazing Topkapi Palace-official residence of the Ottoman Sultans-with courts, pavilions, mosques, fountains and a treasury. Finally, you will stop at the jewel in Turkey's Byzantine crown-the Museum of St Sophia. This splendid Church of Divine Wisdom was originally built in the 4th century AD and was lovingly restored in the 1900s, reflecting the true history of the glorious city of Istanbul. Enjoy some time at the Grand Bazaar for some shopping.
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Istanbul No. 5
Church of Chora & Taksim (4 hours)
Cross over Galata Bridge, to visit the Church of Chora. A Byzantine Church dating back to 14th century. Here you will see remarkable mosaics displaying the life of Virgin Mary and Jesus Crist. Most of from apocrefal gospels. The building is breathtaking. Drive through Fener and Balat, neighborhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets full of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects Ottoman architecture. Continue to the famed Spice Market which is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, sample spices and witness the local life. Afterwards drive to Taksim. Walk on the main road of Istiklal Street. See the 19th century buildings, consulates, shops, restaurants, small snack bars, cinemas, etc...End your tour at Pera Palas Hotel, a late 19th century hotel which was built for the use of Orient Express passengers. Pera Palas had been frequented by well-known and highly-placed figures in the world such as: Agatha Christie, Edward V111 of England, Ataturk, Yehudi Menuhin, Marie Bell, Jacqueline Kennedy, Mata Hari Cicero....
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Istanbul No. 6
Halfday Tour of Dolmabahce Palace & Mehter Concert (4hours)
This is an afternoon tour !
Drive to the Dolmabahce Palace, a blend of many European architectural styles. See the famous silk and wool carpets of Hereke, some of the finest examples of the Turkish art of carpet weaving, cover the floors. Rare handmade object d'art from Europe and the Far East decorate every room in the palace. Brilliant crystal chandeliers, candelabras, and fireplaces add to the lavish décor. After a visit to the palace, you will continue to the Military Museum established in 1826 to house the large collection of armor, weapons, tents, paintings, photographs, and a piece of the chain used by the Byzantines in order to protect the Golden Horn. Pieces date from the era of the Conquest of Istanbul to the era of Sultan Ahmet III. After a brief visit inside the museum, you will watch the Performance of the Ottoman Military Band (the performance lasts approximately 20 minutes). During the battles the Mehter (the name given to Ottoman Military Band) would create a tremendous din with mounted timpani, horns, and bagpipes adding to the blunderbuss and cannon as the Ottomans marched through the Balkans into Central Europe. When retreating from the battles, they left many of their instruments behind, and these eventually found their way into the orchestrations of such illustrious composers as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and even John Phillip Sousa.

* For the reservation, kindly advise us the following:
- Your Full Name
- Number of people in your party
- Date of Arrival
- Name of the Cruise Ship
- Time to start the tour
- Tour code or name