» Itinerary

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Saint Sophia Church (Church of the holy wisdom):
Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus. Saint Sophia has been the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. After having been the Patriarchal basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II. the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1935. The Saint Sophia is one of mankind's greatest treasures.

Mosque of Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque):
Built in 1609, it is with 6 minarets facing Saint Sophia. The last great imperial mosque of the classical period. Its name comes from the 20,000 marvellous Iznik tiles decorating the interior walls. No one who has been to Istanbul at least once can ever forget the feeling of awe and wonder at seeing the Blue Mosque for the first time. 

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum:
Originally built in 1524 as the palace of Ibrahim Pasha - Grand vizier and brother-in-law of sultan Soliman the Magnificent. It is now a museum presenting notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, rugs as well as ethnographic displays of various cultures in Turkey.

Hippodrome:
It was a horse-racing track and also the sporting and social center of the Byzantine Empire; the German Fountain, the Obelisk of Emperor Theodosius and the Bronze Serpentine Column are the monuments embellishing the Hippodrome. Also known as Meydani or "plaza on the horses" stretches between Saint Sophia and Blue Mosque.

Caferaga Medresesi:
Caferaga Medresesi of foundation for serving Turkish Culture organizes various workshops on handicrafts and music.

Topkapi Palace:

This extraordinary and secret palace was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of Ottoman might for nearly 400 years. The buildings are a typical example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armours, Ottoman minatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery.

Grand Bazaar:
The largest and oldest covered market in the world with more than 60 streets and 4.000 shops, where you may find in an authentic oriental atmosphere all kinds of gifts, leather clothing, rugs and kilims, antiques, jewellery, hand-woven fabrics etc...

Info
This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date. Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking. Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated. In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. This tour is not suitable for infants 4 years and under. Child prices are applicable for children age. Child Discount: 10%

Terms & Conditions Tours
Transportation is provided by mini-buses or buses according to the number of passengers traveling. All tours are escorted by professional bi- or multi-lingual tour and/or driver guides. Depending on the number of passengers booked for a particular departure, tours and/or languages may be combined to operate the tours. Visits, stops and other tour components may be deleted, added and/or substituted from the tour without notice. Meals, or other expenses of personal nature are not included (unless published for a particular tour in Turkey Team Tours brochure).

Responsibility
Turkey Team Travel as an agent for all issued tickets or vouchers and all arrangements for transportation, conveyance or hotel accommodation assumes no liability or responsibility for (1) any injuries, loss, damage, accidents (2) delay, irregularities or inconvenience by any defect in a vehicle (3) traffic conditions, access to sites, additional costs or other conditions beyond its control. Turkey Team Travel reserves the right to cancel or change any tours, schedules, or rates and to cancel or substitute routes and stops on any tour without prior notice & to substitute equipment as needed

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