About this experience
This route includes the most interesting monuments of the Turkish 'Eternal City', where the cultures of Europe and Asia are mixed. You will find traces of ancient Greeks and Romans, learn about the heyday of Byzantium, and get acquainted with relics of the Ottoman Empire. During lunch and visits to colorful markets, I will tell you about Turkish cuisine, ancient traditions, and modern city life.
What to expect
Main sights in Istanbul
Excursion will start in one of the oldest corners of the city - the Hippodrome square, where you will meet artifacts from Asia and Europe dating back thousands of years. You will see three ancient obelisks and a monument of European culture. We will stroll to the 16th-century palace, examine the exterior part of the palace, and talk about its amazing history. Leaving the square, we will enjoy the view of the Blue Mosque - I will tell you about the valuable materials used in its construction. After that, we will visit the Basilica Cistern - you will feel the atmosphere of mystery and hear about the secrets of the cistern.
Also on the program:
- The majestic Hagia Sophia, where Princess Olga was baptized: you will admire the building from the outside and learn about the fates of the first Byzantine rulers.
- The Orient Express Station, described in Agatha Christie's famous novel - the impression of its decoration will be complemented by a cup of aromatic eastern coffee in the authentic local cafe.
- The Suleymaniye Mosque - a masterpiece of 16th-century architecture, which we will see from the outside and inside - and the mausoleum of the famous Suleiman the Magnificent and Hurrem-Roxelana, whose love story we will also remember.
Spices and herbs
We will have a break for lunch at one of the authentic restaurants, where you can taste local dishes - I will complement these impressions with a story about our traditions and culture. Then we will head to the labyrinths of the Egyptian Bazaar: the aromas of eastern spices will tempt you to purchase sweets and spices, fragrant tea and coffee. The walk in the city of trade will end at the Grand Bazaar, where amazing things are sold, and you may even find Aladdin's lamp.
Organizational details
- Note: on Mondays, entry to Suleiman's mausoleum is closed
- On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar is closed, instead, we visit the Nuruosmaniye Mosque
- All mosques on the program are viewed from the outside and inside (except Hagia Sophia - only from the outside). Ladies are recommended to have a scarf when visiting mosques.
- The Blue Mosque can only be viewed from the outside on Fridays
- Entrance tickets to the Basilica Cistern (800 lira per person) and lunch, tea, or coffee are additionally paid for (150 lira per person)
- I will conduct the tour for you, or another licensed guide from our team will
