On the go tours is a young and dynamic company that has been operating cultural and adventure tours since 1998. They pride Themselves in being able to offer an authentic travel experience and Turkey's true pulse.
|
| Camlica hill view on Istanbul in sunset |
Duration: 4 days (3 nights)
Description:
Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Atatürk International Airport where after you have attended to customs and immigration formalities, you will be welcomed by agency’s representative. Please, look for the sign of the agency. You’ll be transferred to Istanbul from the airport. The first day is designed to be an arrival day for all passengers, so there are no formal arrangements on Day 1. If flying in early enough, you’ll have time to get acquainted with this remarkable city on your own for starters.Istanbul is easy to get around on foot and there are plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes dotted about the city. you may also restfrom a your trip in one of many turkish bath houses or hammams. The pleasures of the Turkish bath (hamam) are famous: soaking in the steamy heat, getting kneaded and pummeled on a marble slab by a masseur, being scrubbed and lathered by an attendant then relaxing in soft white towels with a cupof apple tea. Men and women bathe separately, though baths in tourist areas often accept both sexes for a higher price. A hamam usually costs around GBP 10 – 15. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul (breakfast). After breakfast we embark upon a fully guided tour of the only city in the world which spans across two continents-Europe and Asia. Officially founded by Emperor Constantine in AD 326, it remained a capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires until 1923. It’s illustrious past leaves a rich egacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, complemented by the behemoth Grand Bazaar and colourful street life. Sultanahmet, the compact old city of Istanbul is full of parks, gardens and stunning sights. Before lunch we pay a visit to the Hippodrome area - famed as the centre of Byzantine life for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400. It is here that the Nika riots broke out after one of the chariot races which were the favorite pastime of roman Emperors. Then a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque, famed for its prized blue Iznik tiles and six majestic minarets. the Blue Mosque faces the Hagia Sofia which is or next stop along the way. Hagia Sofia, constructed as a grand basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian was known as the grandest church in Christian world until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 when it became a mosque. Its constructors intended it to be the grandest, finest house of worship in the world. The resulting edifice was for almost 1000 years the largest church in the Christian world before being superseded by St Peter’s in Rome. It is now a national museum. Lunch. A visit to Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans for almost four centuries, overlooking the Sea of Maramara. Suleymaniye Mosque which was built by the greatest, richest and most powerful of Ottoman sultans, Suleymaniye I, better known as Suleymaniye the Magnificent is our next stop. Lunch and a night spent in Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul (breakfast). The tour of the day starts with a visit to Egyptian Spice market. The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu near Istanbul is essentially an adjunct of the Grand Bazaar or a good starting point before heading onto the cavernous Grand Bazaar. Here you can buy a whole plethora of spices at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay back home. Pine Kernels, peppercorns,real Iranian saffron and other precious commodities are hawkered here at knockdown prices. Turkish delight mounds are calling in on every passer by. Following that we enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus - the body of water that separates Istanbul's European from Asian side. En route visit to a Rumeli Fortress - a stronghold whose construction lasted for only four months in 1452 by the order of Mehmet the Conqueror, in his preparation of a planned siege of Byzantine Constantinople. Lunch. Afterwards a visit to Beyerbeyi Palace in all its sultanate splendour and a chance to soak in the stunning views atop the city’s highest point - a hill top of Buyuk Camlica. The rest of the day is off. Recommended visit to the Grand Bazaar for the purchase of exotic souvenirs. Grand Bazaar or Kapali Çarsi situated in Istanbul’s Old City center is humonguous puzzlework of shops (about 4000 of them)which are divided into areas with goldsmith shops, carpet shops, with leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, things made of copper, onyx, tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, and are among top buys at the bazaar.This may be the perfect time to buy an original Turkish carpet.Turkey is justly famous for its carpets and kilims (a napless woven rug) and you’ll be spoilt for choice. To ensure you get a good buy, spend time visiting several shops to compare prices, pattern-types and quality. A good quality, long-lasting carpet should be made of 100% wool. Check the quality of the weave for possible holes. A wool carpet will have fine, frizzy fibres on the back side. Many carpets are made to look like antiques at prices to match, but really are not. If you feel tricked, just turn around and leave. Afterwords enjoy your lunch and a night stay in Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul (breakfast). The end of arrangements after breakfast.
Tips: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, whilst the Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays. Please consider this when booking. Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market are both closed on Sundays. While the experience in hammams is generally pleasant and safe, there has been the odd report from female traveller of unwelcome behaviour from their male masseurs. To avoid this, only accept the services of a female masseur.
Beware of carpet manufacturers who claim they are a government enterprise and that they are a nonprofit making organization. This lie is bigger than the fall of Ottoman Empire, and one that you should not fall for. Proceed with caution and haggle the absolute best price you can for a carpet.
Visit the Ortakoy Flea market Every Sunday, the main square of Ortakoy is filled to the gunnels with stalls selling souvenirs, and as most of the sights are closed on Sunday, you may spend an enchanting day here
Price: Twin/Double £199; Single Supplement £59
Price includes:
Description:
Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul Airport. Meet with agency's staff that will transfer you to hotel. Transfer from airport andcheck in to your hotel.
Day 2 - Istanbul. Aya Sophia; Hippodrome; Blue Mosque. The day starts with a visit to Aya Sophia basilica, one of the architectural marvels of all time. built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. Sultanahmet imperial mosque across from Aya was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is also known as the blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After this we pay a visit Turkish Islamic arts museum and also visit the Great Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages there are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. Topkapi palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle-- enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
Suleymaniye Mosque: The mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising from each corner of the courtyard. Dinner, evening free.
Day 3: a day starts vith a visit to the spice bazaar, the co-called Egyptian Bazaar where the air is full of enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb. Then we make a tour to Bedesten, which exhibits the traditional silk weaving of the carpets and kilims, traditional for Turkey.The weavings are authorised by the Ministry of National Education. We spend the afternoon on a boat, floating the Bosphorus strait, crossing it from Europe to Asia.The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palac along with royal parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace. For those who do not like to travel by boat there is a possibility of crossing the Bosphorus Bridge on foot. This fantastic piece of architecture was built during the 1970's and has been connecting two continents ever since.On Asian side we make our way up a Camlica Hill, the highest point in istanbul and also the best possible location for gazing at the City and bringing home a fantastic set of sunset photographs.Late afternoon is free to do some souvenir shopping.
Day 4: all day spent upon your own choice, until 8:00 p.m., when the group sets off for a dinner and a 1001 Night Show in the city. the show starts 8:30 p.m. introducing various Anatolian Folklore Groups and featuring popular musical instruments and Turkish singers with adittional surprise shows. It ends around 11:45 p.m. Dinner is served within this timeline. The transport back to the hotel is organized around midnight.
Day 5: A visit to Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons. Has a great great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons heavy chandeliers.
Day 6: A different Istanbul tour: Taksim District, which is the heart of the night and intellectual life of Istanbul . It has nice bars, restaurants, café, cinemas a street that is the the center of Turkish Film Industry.
Day 7: End of Tour, check out after breakfast
Price:
Price includes:
