Day 1 : Istanbul
Arrive at any time and spend the day exploring on your own. Later, meet your CEO and the group before heading out for a stroll through the Old Town to enjoy some of Istanbul's most famous street foods for dinner.
Street Food Experience
Istanbul
Roam through the lively streets of Istanbul's Old Town and bring your appetite - there are dozens of street food stalls to choose from! Opt to try the cheese-stuffed börek, minced meat topped lahmacun, bagel-like simit or classic döner.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
1h
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Day 2 : Istanbul
Tour the world-renowned Hagia Sofia. After, explore a lesser-known side of Istanbul's Old Town and visit subterranean Roman and Byzantine ruins, the Hippodrome and the Little Haiga Sofia Mosque. Tonight, opt to visit a hammam (traditional Turkish bath).
Old City Underground Tour
Istanbul
Explore sections of the Basilica Cistern, an ancient subterranean water system, built in the 6th century during Byzantine Emperor Justinian I's reign. Next, check out the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, where you can see mosaics from the Byzantine period, unearthed at the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople.
Hippodrome Visit and Little Hagia Sofia
Istanbul 1h 1km
Walk in the place where the Hippodrome used to be - the Byzantine athletic area used for events such as chariot racing. Spot remains dating from Byzantine times, such as the Obelisk which was brought from Egypt, and the Serpent Coloumn. Later, visit the gorgeous Little Hagia Sofia, built in 536 and with architecture unique among the Old Town buildings.
Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit
Istanbul 1h - 2h
Visit the Hagia Sophia, one of the most important and breathtaking icons of ancient Byzantine architecture. The domes and buttresses of the mosque punctuate the skyline of Turkey's capital and stand tall as a symbol of national pride.
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Optional Activities - Day 2
Take along a towel, soap, and shampoo, and enjoy a scrub like no other. Then experience a traditional foam massage, included in the entrance fee. Get some tips from the friendly locals – they’ll show you the correct protocol. Make sure to check the hours as the bathhouses are strictly segregated, usually being used by men in the morning and evenings, and women in the afternoons.
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 3 : Istanbul
Enjoy a culinary walking tour of the trendiest districts in Istanbul. Wander through Taksim Square and the lively district of Karaköy on a CEO-led culinary walking tour, sampling local specialties such as baklava and Turkish coffee. Enjoy a sumptuous mezze lunch. Catch a ferry to Kadiköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Taksim and Beyoglu Side Streets Walk
Istanbul
Starting in Taksim Square and making our way down to the Golden Horn, explore the side streets of Beyoglu to sample the city's best profiteroles, and learn what makes Turkish coffee special.
Ferry
Istanbul - Kadıköy 0h15m - 0h30m
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Ferry
Kadıköy - Istanbul 0h15m - 0h30m
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Stop by the hip district of Kadiköy, located across the bay on Istanbul's Asian shore, known for its winding alleys of delicatessens, fish and grocery markets.
End the day back in trendy Karaköy, and enjoy Istanbul’s (and maybe even Turkey’s) best baklava.
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Acommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 4 : Istanbul
Depart at any time, or spend another day exploring. Opt to book the "Colourful Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise" full-day excursion and walk Constantinople's old city walls, see Roman mosaics and frescoes, stroll through the city's Jewish district and end the day with a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait for stunning views of the city. For travellers continuing on to another G Adventures tour, your CEO will help facilitate the joining of the new group starting in the evening.
Optional Activities - Day 4
Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise
Istanbul 8h - 10h
Go even deeper into Istanbul, discovering diverse and lesser-visited districts with your CEO, and some of the best photography spots in the city! Today we will walk along the ancient Constantinople city walls; see Tekfur Palace(the Blaherne Palace) which has got thick walls adjacent to the landwalls ; stroll through the photogenic Fener (Greek) and Balat (Jewish) districts, known for their colourful wooden houses; enjoy lunch together; and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for stunning views of Ottoman palaces and the city skyline.
Please note: this is a full day (6+ hours) day excursion. Lunch is included. Your CEO will collect you from the hotel lobby at 9am. Please bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and modest clothing/coverings for shoulders and upper legs for visiting religious sites.
There will be a welcome note at the reception with more details from your CEO, so please check on arrival.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
