DAY 01: ARRIVE ISTANBUL (no meals)Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (or Karakoy Port). Meet AVOTUR's local guide or representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and day at leisure. (Please note check-in time at most hotels is 14:00 but we will do our best to arrange early check-in if necessary.)
DAY 02: ISTANBUL (b, l)
Breakfast at the hotel. Fullday city tour with a visit to the main historical center of Istanbul, Sultanahmet with its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. The monuments to be visited are the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius, serpent column, brick column, Kaiser Wilhelm II fountain), the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with its Treasury and Sacred Trust sections. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit the Grand Covered Bazaar. Shopping for local handicrafts at reputable shops. After the visits return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure.
DAY 03: ISTANBUL (b, l)
Breakfast at the hotel. Fullday city tour covering the Bosphorus area. The almost 30 km long Strait of Bosphorus divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides geographically and gives the city its unique peculiarity of being located on two continents. Our tour today starts with the Spice Market located next to the New Mosque facing the Galata Bridge straddling the Golden Horn. A totally oriental experience with local herbs, spices, Turkish delight, assortments of sweets, dried fruits and souvenirs are on sale. Continue with the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace and visit the men's section with its Hereke carpet covered ceremonial halls. A private cruise on the Bosphorus will introduce us to the rich cultural heritage of the palaces, fortresses, wooden Ottoman villas and lively little fishing villages and famous nightclubs of the city. (For individuals public boat will be used.) Lunch will be served at a local fish restaurant. Intercontinental Bosphorus suspension bridge crossing to the Asian side of Istanbul. For a wide panoramic view of the city we will visit the Camlica Hill. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure.
DAY 04: DEPART ISTANBUL (b)
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. (Please note check-out time at most hotels is 12:00). Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Hotels to be used in:
| ISTAMBUL | |
| 3 STAR | GRAND TAHIR, GRAND MEDYA or similar |
| 4 STAR | MARBLE, GOLDEN AGE, GRAND GULSOY, YIGITALP or similar |
| 5 STAR | TOPKAPI ERESIN, HOLIDAY INN ISTANBUL CITY, CROWNE PLAZA or similar |
