ISTANBUL TIME (06 Days)

Topkapi Palce, Istanbul

St Sophia Museum, Istanbul

Taksim, Istiklal Caddesi is one of Istanbul's main commercial thouroughfares. It is bustling with people day and night.

Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus

Highlights: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise, Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Hill, Princess' Islands, Sile, Agva
Operates: All year-around
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Turkish Night Show & Whirling Dervishes Performance
Note: Istanbul Time tour package is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)

DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by Veni Vidi Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and the Hagia Sophia Museum, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 03 – Bosphorus Cruise Tour with Beylerbeyi Palace (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, drive to Golden Horn, the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula seperating the old and new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during Byzantine. Then visit the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar) built in 1664, the perfect place to shop for herbal medicine, Turkish Delight (lokum), spices, teas, caviar and many other flavours. We then walk across the road to Eminonu Harbour to embark the ferry which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul. The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. Alongside million dollar mansions we will see the two bridges linking Europe and Asia by road, as well as the seaside summer palaces and unique wooden houses not to mention the natural beauty of the forests above. Disembarking the ferry and time for lunch a local Turkish restaurant. From there on we will drive you by coach over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge to take you to Camlica Hill on the Asian side. Camlica is the highest hill in Asiatic Istanbul where you will enjoy breathtaking views of two shores. Driving back to Europe within minutes, we stop at Beylerbeyi Palace which was the summer residence of the late royal Ottoman family. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 04 – Princess’ Islands Cruise Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast at hotel, meet with the tour guide and start a full day tour, to escape from the bustle of Istanbul for a day, nothing could be easier. You simply join us aboard a ferry bound for the charming Princes' Islands. Our destination is Buyukkada, the largest of the island chain, but we will pass by four other islands on the way. All are famous for their mild climates, lush vegetation and ornate Ottoman houses, and on all of them cars are banned. The preferred means of transportation is the charming horse-drawn carriage known as the phaeton, which we will use on our circular tour of Buyukada, passing elegant mansions draped in brilliant purple bougainvillea. You will feel as though you have stepped back into a more leisured and gracious age, almost expecting grand 19th century ladies and gentlemen to come strolling down to the waterfront on an afternoon promenade. Lunch will be at one of the many excellent traditional fish-restaurants on the waterfront, gazing across the water at the Asian shore of Istanbul, so close though it feels worlds away. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 05 – Black Sea Tour (Sile & Agva) (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Istanbul is a beautiful city of many sights and sounds. But the Black Sea coast offers landscapes at least as interesting and spectacular as those found in the city. They are right there waiting to be discovered. Heading northeast of Istanbul on the Anatolian side, we will arrive in Sile, a small Black Sea fishing town situated on rocks. Known for it’s sandy beaches and famous ‘Sile bezi’, an open-weave cotton fabric, it is the perfect first stop for our tour. Once a port of call for ships sailing east from the Bosphorus, enjoy a stroll along the fishing harbor or relax with a tea at the hilltop cafe overlooking the Sile lighthouse. On the way to Ağva we come across picturesque traditional Turkish villages like Kabakoz and Suaybli where time seems to have stood still. So near to Istanbul distance-wise, yet so far in their way of life. Experience the friendless and curiosity of these villagers.Continuing along the coastal route we arrive in Ağva, deep in nature and situated between the Yeşilçay and Göksu rivers that flow into the Black Sea. Upon arrival you will find peace in a leisurely a boat ride down the Göksu river. Set in a landscape so green and rich, bask in the sights of Ağva. After taking in a magnificent view overlooking the sea and bluffs, we will break for lunch where you may dine on the local fish. Next you will have a choice to truly unwind in the beauty of the Black Sea region by either relaxing along the Göksu river, or on one of Ağva’s sandy beaches. Surrounded by forest and cliffs, the fresh, blue green waters of the sea are calling you. Get lost in nature. We will take the forest route on our return trip. Because of it’s mild, damp climate, this region is heavily forested, and here is where we make our final stop. Relaxed with a tea as you sway in a hammock at a forest cafe. A perfect ending to a day rich in nature. We will depart from this final destination to return back to Istanbul fully rejuvenated.

DAY 06 – Istanbul / Departure (Meal: Breakfast)
Breakfast, check-out & transfer to Istanbul International Airport as per your onward flight schedule.

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all requests within 24 hrs. We are happy to modify the itinerary upon request
* Smoking is not permitted in our tours but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Local taxes & handling services

What's NOT Included:
* International flights to/from Turkey and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the above included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey (if required), any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.