Private 3 Day Istanbul Tour From Kusadasi or Izmir

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Izmir Province, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean Coast

Day 1 : TRANSFER AND FLIGHTS FROM KUSADASI OR IZMIR TO ISTANBUL
Transfer to Izmir airport and flight to Istanbul Arrive Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Following the passport control and customs, meet and greet at the airport by our representative. Transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.



Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Day 2 : ISTANBUL (Full day Old City Tour of Istanbul and Topkapi Palace) (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel will be followed by a full day tour of Old City Istanbul and Topkapi Palace.

Meet you guide at the hotel reception at 10.00 am and drive to the Sultan Ahmet Center, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantian and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Visits will start with the Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city.

Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.

Then visit The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, displaying art collection from different civilizations of Anatolia. Continue with the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Imperial Mosque), famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and then Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya), primarily a church – turned mosque – turned museum, which takes the breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Exploration of Istanbul's treasures continues with the visit to the bustling Grand Bazaar (Covered bazaar - Kapalicarsi), biggest “souk” in the World with its more than 4000 shops and stalls. Enjoy shopping for almost anything (jewelry, antiques, carpets, textile, garments, spices, souvenirs, etc.).

A light lunch at a Turkish Restaurant then afternoon visits will continue with the spectacular Topkapi Palace, imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands the views of the Sea of Marmara, The Bosporus, and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852). Visit the extravagant Imperial Treasury, Sacred Islamic Relics of Prophet Mohammed, Sultan Portraits, Imperial Kitchen, where up to 800 cooks prepared as many as 6,000 meals a day with valuable collection of golden dining sets, the priceless Chinese and Japanese porcelain, Weapons and Armors Section, Calligraphy Section, and the Imperial Harem (extra) encompassing more than 400 rooms.

The tour will continue with the Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.

Return to hotel for an overnight stay.



Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Day 3 : ISTANBUL (Half Day Tour of Golden Horn, Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise (B L)
Breakfast and checkout from the hotel 10:00 AM Pickup and start with a drive along by Golden Horn, a natural harbor of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines, the residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other minorities.

Continue to your excursions with the Spice Bazaar full of mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers, etc. Tour will proceed by a memorable boat trip on the Bosphorus, the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residents and luxurious apartments. While passing by, vision the Imperial Gardens of Yildiz Palace, Ciragan Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace from the sea. Disembark at Rumeli Fortress (no interior visit)

After a light lunch you will meet the transfer person for your transfer to Airport to the Domestic Flights Terminal for your flight to Izmir. Arrive Izmir you will meet our transfer person at the airport to transfer you to Kusadasi or your accommodation in Izmir with AC minivan. Our services end.



Duration: 8 hours