Private Five Day Adventure in Istanbul
City of the Sultans - Five Days
Combine With your Crystal Cruise or other
Mediterranean cruises
This doesn't include any Hotels
If
you have only a short time, this is the perfect getaway. Your five
days are filled with enough exotic sights, sounds, scenes and scents
to make it seem like weeks. We'll even provide you with the Lonely Planet
guide to Istanbul so that you can explore the city on your own, as you
like, in your free time!
Arrive
ANY DAY! This is the perfect add on to your Crystal Cruises or other
Mediterranean cruise.
Extensions are available to Cappadocia for 3 nights /4 days disembarking
. Land tour start in Istanbul then we bring you back to Kusadasi to
board your cruise . Kusadasi
Cruise Shore Excursion
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL
You're met at the airport or seaport by our representative, who sees
you to your hotel ( this edition/ version is for guests who have booked
their own hotel in Istanbul).
Our
staff meets your flight , or
cruise line ( Oceania Cruises , Princess Cruises , Crystal Cruises or
other Mediterranean cruises ), and escorts you to your hotel.
Our
local rep will answer any questions you may have about getting to know
the city. As you ride into the great metropolis from the airport/or
seaport , two thousand years of history are revealed: towering Roman
walls, ancient Byzantine churches, slender minarets framing the bulbous
domes of graceful mosques. These ancient monuments float on the skyline
of a bustling modern metropolis of ten million people.
Please reconfirm locally the time you prefer for tomorrow tour, we suggest
to meet around 8:30 AM or 9 AM
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL (L)
The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point,
framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We
visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge the architectural
primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia. We then walk next door to compare
achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia. Right behind Sancta
Sophia is our next stop, sumptuous Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio
for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels,
golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes. After
lunch in a local restaurant ,we tour the Treasury of the sultans, and
the Costume Gallery , then finish up in the bustling Egyptian Bazaar
and walk through the maze of colors , spices and perfumes. Return to
your hotel with sounds and colors of your first day of touring in Istanbul.
DAY
3 - BOSPHORUS (L)
Istanbul's history was formed by the Bosphorus, the winding strait
that separates Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea
of Marmara. Now, as in ancient times, it is a maritime vital link between
the countries bordering the Black Sea and those in the rest of the world.
Today we take a leisurely cruise northward along this historic waterway.
Along its shores are ranged palaces great and small-Topkapi, Dolmabahçe,
Beylerbeyi, Küçüksu, Hünkar Iskelesi. Four
great fortresses rise on the hills, reminding us that to control the
Bosphorus was to control the destinies of nations. Our afternoon cruise
(morning cruise for Oct-Apr season) of two continents, ends at Tarabya
where we disembark and enjoy lunch
(included) at a charming local seafood restaurant ( if you prefer another
choice for the cuisine please advise us in advance).
After lunch we visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum , with a private collection
of Turkish art. On to Kariye Museum, and the most remarkable mosaic
that survived until today in a Byzantine church. We take a leisurely
stroll through this area of Istanbul to stand at awe in front of the
ancient city walls, we drive on to the Golden Horn shores to see the
former Jewish Quarter , back to your hotel as we drive over the Galata.
Day
4 - "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the
East:" (L)
Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where
the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then
take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish
tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates),
and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the
famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in
the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and
be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon the tour visit
Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz,
and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye
in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).
DAY
5 - ISTANBUL - DEPARTURE (B)
There
are many more things to see and do in this fascinating city, but they
will have to wait for your next visit , our representative escorts you
to the airport / or seaport for your homeward flight--until next time!
If
you have an evening flight / cruise, and have the time for a full day
tour today , please click
here
RATES per
person in USD $
This Doesn't include any hotel accommodation
| Minimum
|
Private
Touring |
| One guest |
US$
790 |
| Two Guests (
Rate is per person) |
US$
520 |
| Three Guests
( Rate is per person) |
US$
470 |
Starts
every day in Istanbul . Rates
are per person and do not include: Hotels, nor any airfare.
For
private tours and transfers , we use the best sedans
We
will provide Mercedes E 200 car for our valued VIP guests
Or Deluxe air-conditioned vehicles
Rate
includes :
- Private
Guided sightseeing including entrance fees.
- Meals
as listed : L : Preset menu , lunch, dinner .
- Roundtrip
transfers in Istanbul
Rate
doesn't include :
- International
air fare.
- Any
hotel accommodation
- Visa
Fee : $20 in cash upon arrival,
for US citizens, or $45 for Canadians,
or from any of the Turkish Consulates
- Trip/travel
insurance, please ask us for the flyer .
Private Cruise ship Shore excursions in Greece & Turkey
The
cruise regular shore excursion are generally a good introduction to
the city, most of the seasoned cruise travelers prefer to go sightseeing
with a private guide.
The
difference between ship organized and private tours is best described
as "package versus tailor-made." Some people may feel all
right joining a large tour group whereas sometimes it is difficult
to hear the guide and the group moves only as fast as its slowest
participant.
Others
may not get their questions answered at all as there may be twenty
other people in the group trying to do the same.
In
contrast, a small tour group with tailor-made program is way more
enjoyable and ensures personal attention for everyone. You will spend
as much time as you want.
Therefore,
if you want to maximize your limited time, the private escorted tour
tailored to your unique wishes and interests is an ideal solution.
All
our private shore excursions tours are carefully designed to give
you the best possible experience. Our knowledgeable, friendly and
qualified tour guide and driver will ensure that your visit ashore
is truly memorable. When you tour with us in Turkey as part of a private
shore excursion , your tour guide will get you into sites without
waiting in lines that is especially valuable given the limited time
you have to spend in Turkey.
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