Magical Istanbul

This is a 10 day tour for discriminating travelers who seek the cultures of Istanbul, both ancient and modern. A grand mosaic of East and West, this is the only city in the world built on two continents. It offers Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, monuments, museums, great mosques lifting their minarets to the sky, but best of all, it promises to delight you with the friendly, delicious activity of its streets. Whatever your reason for joining us, you'll find that the city is inexhaustible, has pleasant walks, is full of surprises, and is most hospitable. We will eat, drink, and immerse ourselves in the city, its streets, sights, and sounds, gaining a familiarity which will make it truly ours.

DAY 1-Dinner aboard our scheduled air jet to Istanbul. 

DAY 2-After check-in at our hotel we will have a walk around the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, where native merchants offer carpets, jewelry, brass, leather, and more. Dinner is included.

DAY 3-A short walk and a tram ride bring us to magnificent St. Sophia,  built by Justinian in the 6th century; then across the square to the ethereal Blue Mosque, decorated with thousands of brilliant blue Iznik tiles.  Nearby is the Hippodrome, the most important stadium of ancient times. Then on to the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans. 

DAY 4-This morning we will visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Turkish Ceramics. After lunch, we will travel to the village of Eyup on the Golden Horn to see the small, elegant Mosque of Eyup where sultans were presented with the sword of Osman, their symbol of sovereignty. Upon our return we will walk through the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where we can stroll from place to place following the trail of sandalwood and gum.

DAY 5-A leisurely day of sailing on the Bosphorus, a lovely waterway lined with forests, villages, hills and summer homes, many from the Ottoman era. 

DAY 6-The Museum of the Ancient Orient starts this day with treasures from the Near East. Next we will visit one of the wonders of ancient Byzantium, the huge Basilica Cistern, constructed by Justinian to insure the city's water supply, and featuring 336 columns. This afternoon we travel to Asia to visit the residence of Sultan Abdul Aziz, Beylerbeyi Palace, the most elegant building on the Bosphorus.

DAY 7-Walking past the University of Istanbul, we turn down a narrow street lined with Ottoman houses and reach the 16th century Suleymaniye Mosque,  a jewel built by Suleyman the Magnificent. Next we will go to the Dolmabahce Palace built by Ottoman Sultans to rival Versailles. On to the Naval Museum. 

DAY 8-This morning we visit the Kariye Museum, which contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. The rest of the day we will cruise the Sea of Marmara to the Princes' islands. Famous since Byzantine times, these islands have become the quiet shaded summer retreat of Istanbul.

DAY 9-Today is free for last minute shopping, sightseeing, and idling around the cafes.  Consider a visit to the Mosaic Museum. Tonight we will enjoy an included Turkish dinner. 

Day 10-Our guide will accompany us to the airport for our flight home