5 Day Private Istanbul in Style Tour

Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul

1. Sultanahmet District
   Pass by
   Upon arrival at the airport/port, you will be met by one of our staff at the exit gate of the arrivals hall & transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Total transportation time will be approximately 1 and a half hours.
   
   Note: Turkey is noted for having one of the three most famous & distinctive traditional cuisines in the world. For this reason, where convenient we have not included dinners or lunches at hotels & your guide(s) will be happy to recommend authentic local restaurants. Dinner is not included.

Day 2: Ottoman & Byzantine Relics Tour

1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h
   After breakfast, start your day with some sightseeing in the old city, formerly Constantinople, and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. Here you can visit the Hagia Sophia basilica, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian.
2. Blue Mosque
   1h
   Continue to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet under the orders of Sultan Ahmet I, better known as the Blue Mosque.
3. Hippodrome
   30m
   Follow on to the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of many chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life during the Roman era.
4. Obelisk of Theodosius
   30m
   Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
5. Grand Bazaar
   1h
   Before lunch pay a visit to Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops.
6. TopkapI Palace
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, proceed to Topkapi Palace, the maze of opulent buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries.
7. Basilica Cistern
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Finally, we will visit Basilica Underground Cistern from the 5th Century which was used as water storage during the Byzantium period. End of the tour. Return to the hotel overnight in Istanbul. Please note that Dinner is not included.

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise – Food Trail in Asian Side & Spice Bazaar Tour

1. Bosphorus Strait
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel. your guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the harbor in Eminönü by tram for embarkation on the cruise. We will start to cruise along the Bosphorus on one of the iconic ferries of Istanbul where you will navigable the strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea.
2. KadIkoy
   1h
   We will disembark the cruise on the Asian Side of Istanbul Kadıköy Area. We will visit the local fish market of Kadıköy. Enjoy the traditional Turkish street food, see the local life, and stop in the bookshops and antique stores.
3. Kuzguncuk Sahili
   1h
   Then we will continue to the Kuzguncuk Area where you will get a bit of a local touch by visiting the little streets that host a mosque, church, and a synagogue as the peace of all religions.
4. Misir Carsisi
   1h
   After lunch, we head back to Europe by the underground metro Marmaray under the Bosphorus to visit Spice Bazaar which is the end of the ancient Silk Road where you can find a variety of local & international spices, Turkish delights, homemade food, and souvenir shops.
5. Rustem Pasha Mosque
   1h
   We will also visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles, set in beautiful floral and geometric designs, which cover not only the facade of the porch but also the mihrab, minbar, walls, and columns. End of the tour we will return to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul. Please note that Dinner is not included.

Day 4: Events Day in Istanbul: Art Galleries, Sport Events, Concerts, Shopping, Turkish Bath or/and Partying

1. Istanbul
   4h
   After breakfast, we'll handle your reservations, tickets, and transportation for Istanbul events based on your preferences. Art enthusiasts may enjoy exclusive exhibitions at Istanbul Modern, Sakip Sabanci Museum, or RMK Museum, with special entrance tickets. For sports fans, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Istanbul Sports offer tickets and transport for various leagues and events. Explore Nişantaşı for luxury brands, the Grand Bazaar for traditional items, or modern malls like Istinye Park and Cevahir for shopping. Consider a traditional Turkish Bath experience at Hürem Sultan Hamamı or witness the Derwish Gallery at Hodja Pasha Culture Center. Join the Whirling Dervish Ceremony in Mevlevihane, recognized by UNESCO, or attend a concert at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall with ticket and transfer assistance. For nightlife, check out Sortie, 360 Istanbul, Oligark Istanbul, or Ruby Istanbul for stunning views. Overnight in Istanbul. Please note that Lunch and Dinner is not included today.

Day 5: Departure from Istanbul

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   Depending on your flight time, check out (noon) from the hotel & remainder of the day will be at leisure till your transfer to the airport or port for your homebound flight. Total transportation time will be approximately 1 and a half hours.

Pickup details

Travelers will be picked up from the Airports, Galataport, or any specific centrally located hotel in Istanbul with a private van.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Car seats suitable for children aged 2-5 are available upon request.
• Tickets for the event on Day 4 will be provided by Tour Good Travel with an additional cost depending on the event calendar and your preferences.