At the end of the show, join in the singing
of popular and favourite songs. Board your
motor coach and continue your sightseeing
by night before returning back to the ship. |
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Highlights
of Istanbul (lunch on board) |
.jpg) Begin
the excursion with a sightseeing drive through
the business centre of the modern city, across
the Galata Bridge , along the banks of the
Golden Horn and under the Byzantine Aqueduct
of Valens .
On the way, you can see the Suleymaniye Mosque,
dedicated to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
Continue around the mighty city walls, which
once protected Constantinople from the many
invasions and attacks it suffered over the
centuries.
In the Old City , the first visit will be
to the Byzantine Hippodrome, which was once
one of the largest chariot race arenas in
the Byzantine Empire .
Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque, where large
groups of pilgrims start their pilgrimage
to Mecca .
It is decorated with 21,000 blue Iznik tiles
from where it gets its name, the “Blue Mosque”.
Walk to the world famous monument of Hagia
Sophia , the Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom,
where you can see the superb mosaics and the
marble decorations. Return to the ship for
lunch on board.
After lunch continue the tour with a visit
to the Topkapi Palace , the official residence
of the Ottoman Sultans.
See the famous treasury and the “ Spoonmaker's
Diamond”, the 7th biggest diamond in the world.
Visit the kitchen buildings , displaying the
third richest collection in the world of Chinese
and Japanese porcelain. |
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Highlights
of Istanbul with lunch |
 Begin
the excursion with a drive through the business
centre of the modern city, across the Galata
Bridge , along the banks of the Golden Horn
and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens
.
On the way, you can see the Suleymaniye Mosque,
dedicated to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
Continue around the mighty city walls, which
once protected Constantinople from the many
invasions and attacks it suffered over the
centuries.
In the Old City , the first visit will be
to the Byzantine Hippodrome, which was once
one of the largest chariot race arenas in
the Byzantine Empire .
Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque, where large
groups of pilgrims start their pilgrimage
to Mecca .
It is decorated with 21,000 blue Iznik tiles
from where it gets its name, the “Blue Mosque”.
Walk to the famous Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine
Church of Divine Wisdom, where you can admire
the superb mosaics and the marble decorations.
Walk through the large gardens to Konyali
Restaurant and experience typical Turkish
cuisine . After lunch , the tour continues
with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace
, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
See the famous treasury and the “ Spoonmaker's
Diamond”, the 7th biggest diamond in the world.
Visit the kitchen buildings, displaying the
third richest collection in the world of Chinese
and Japanese porcelain. |
|
|
Scenic
Bosphorus Cruise |
 Start
the tour with a short drive through the modern
city of Istanbul , crossing the Galata Bridge
en route to the Golden Horn .
The impressive Suleymaniye Mosque, built by
Turkish architect Sinan and dedicated to Sultan
Suleyman The Magnificent, can be seen on the
way.
At the Golden Horn , take a short walk to
the Cruise Boat Station where your private
boat will be waiting for your exciting trip
on the Bosphorus .
You will sail past Dolmabahce and Ciragan
Palaces built on the European shore, glide
under the Bosphorus Bridge and past Beylerbeyi
Palace , Anatolian Fortress and Kanlica on
the Asian shore.
You will have the chance to take amazing photographs
sailing between these two continents.. |
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|
Secret
Treasures of Istanbul with lunch |
 This
tour is designed to give you a glimpse of
the best and the most famous monuments in
Istanbul remaining from the Byzantine Empire
era.
Depart from the pier for an interesting tour
of Istanbul with a city sight seeing drive
through the business centre of the modern
city, across the Galata Bridge , along the
banks of the Golden Horn and under the Byzantine
Aqueduct of Valens . On the way, you can see
the Suleymaniye Mosque dedicated to Sultan
Suleyman the magnificent, built by the famous
Turkish Architect, Sinan .
Arrive at Chora Museum . This 11th century
church of St. Savior in Chora is the most
important Byzantine monument in Istanbul after
St. Sophia museum. There is a collection of
fourteenth century frescoes, gold-inlaid mosaics
and some of the World's finest Byzantine paintings.
Continue with a drive along the ancient Byzantine
city walls to the Byzantine Hippodrome where
the chariot races and celebrations in honour
of the emperors, once took place during the
Byzantine era.
Visit the ancient church of St.Sergius and
Bachus which belonged to the monastery of
Hormisdas and was built as the result of a
vow made by Justinian when he was on the point
of being executed for conspiring against his
predecessor.
The tour continues with a visit to an Underground
Cistern, consisting of a network of waterways
built as far back as the third century BC,
to protect the city against long sieges.
Continue to Balat area, another historical
part of Istanbul , for lunch at Fener Kosku
, an old historical Greek building.
After lunch, visit The Patriarchate which
is located just 50 meters away from the restaurant
or just relax strolling along the Golden Horn
.
Drive to Rustem Pasha Mosque, located at Eminonu
close to the Spice Market.
This Mosque was built by Sinan in 1550 for
Rustem Pasha, a grand vizier who married one
of the daughters of Suleyman the Magnificent.
Inside and on the facade you can see some
beautiful Iznik faience.
The mihrab , completely covered with faience
tiles and the mimbar are particularly striking. |
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