A Shopping Paradise for shopping lovers (6 days)
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Esendal representative meets and assists you. After a short orientation tour, transfer to the hotel for a welcome drink and briefing. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2 ISTANBUL/ Full day sightseeing
After breakfast, full day sightseeing of Istanbul including visit to the St. Sophia (Haghia Sophia) Museum is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. It was the cathedral of Byzantine period for a thousand years, and then for nearly five hundred years after the Turkish (Ottoman) conquest it was one of the most important mosque of Istanbul before was converted into a museum. When it was built in 537 A.D by Justinian was the largest building in the world. Then continue to visit the ancient Hippodrome where the chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. See the Egyptian obelisk; visit Sultan Ahmet Mosque which is also called ''Blue Mosque'' because of its blue tiles. Then visit to Underground Cistern this water reservoir is by far the largest of the many underground cisterns in the city remaining from the Roman times was rebuilt by Justinian after Nika Revolt in 532. Continue to visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, miniatures. Return to hotel for overnight. ( B, L )
DAY 3 ISTANBUL
Following breakfast, full day shopping tour visiting to the Spice Market ( Egyptian Bazaar ) where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme ,you can buy several dried nuts, saffron ,Turkish delight, herbs, and spices. Continue to enjoy your shopping at Grand Bazaar with its more than 4.000 tiny shops, 66 streets, and alleys is said is the oldest largest indoor bazaar in the world. It is also the most fascinating shopping place in the world where you can find all kind of old objects souvenirs, and hand made products. In the afternoon drive along the historical Gulf (the Golden Horn) is inlet of the Marmara Sea some 7,5 kilometers(five miles) long which was the finest harbor of ancient world, played very important role in the history of Istanbul, enjoy your shopping day in Istiklal Street and for shopping of old Drive along Golden Horn and visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, where he and his wife are buried and is considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul. Then visit to the 14th century Church of Savior in Chora, which is the most important Byzantine Monument in Istanbul after the St. Sophia. The walls were decorated with 14th century Biblical mosaics and frescoes on a gold background. Here you will find a quiet, carefully tended garden facing old wooden houses.
Enjoy the walking tour in Istiklal Street. It is the street with all the smart shops, several large consulates and churches, pubs, many impressive residential buildings and a scattering tea shops and restaurants. You'll have a chance to meet local people here. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel for overnight. (B, L) * Optional Turkish Night Show can be arranged
DAY 4 Friday ISTANBUL
After breakfast, depart from hotel for a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace built in the 19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit, it has an impressive six hundred meters frontage on the Bosphorus. The most important part is the vast reception salon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier weighing 4.5 tons with 750 lights. Then enjoy the Bosphorus Trip by private boat or special public boat with an opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman Architecture.
Visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum in Sariyer. It is an old late 19th century Ottoman Yali bought by the richest businessman of Turkey Vehbi Koc. It's founded and opened as a museum by this wife Sadberk Koc in 1980. There are two sections: Old Villa Section, which has exhibits ranging in date from the early Islamic Era, Seljuk and Ottoman period the objects include metal work, imperial monograms in silver, jewelry, Turkish tiles and pottery from Iznik (Nicea), Kutahya and Canakkale. On the upper floor there are traditional Turkish scenes including a bridal shower, a circumcision bed, maternity room, there are also beautiful examples of Ottoman costumes and Turkish embroideries. The archeological section of the museum has some 7000 antiques arranged in chronological order from different part of Anatolia throughout different civilizations. Afterward we will visit one of the most popular shopping malls in Istanbul (Akmerkez ) . Return to hotel. (B, L).
DAY 5 Saturday SHOPPING-ISTANBUL
Today we will visit the modern shopping malls, including Istinya Park Shopping mall,Kanyon Shopping Mall, Cevahir Shopping Mall, Nisantasi Shopping Disrict and Cukur Cuma Antique Shopping district. Return to hotel for overnight.(B)
DAY 6 Sunday DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer from hotel to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your flight back home. (B)
INCLUDED SERVICES:
- 5 Nights BB (Bed and Breakfast) Accommodation at 5 star Top Deluxe or 5 star Deluxe or 4 star superior first class /moderate deluxe or special class old mansion hotels..
- Daily breakfast, 3 Lunches
- Airport- Hotel - Airport Transfers and Ground Transportation by A/C Luxury Mercedes Van
- Private Boat Trip or Boat Trip by aspspecial public boat on the Bosphorus
- All entrance fees to the museums as indicated in the itinerary
- Service of English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the tour
- Tips at the restaurants and hotel.
- Road Tolls and parking
- Service Charge and Local Tax
EXCLUDED SERVICES:
- International Air Fare
- Dinners, Drinks and beverages,
- Hotel extras( extra expenses at hotel)
- Meals not specified it itinerary
- Travel Insurance
