Original Booking Details

Upon our pick up from the hotel we visit the Dolmabahce Palace which in the 19th century was the principal residence and the administrative center of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. With its splendor baroque exterior and mixture of traditional and European interior decorations it is a reminder of the formidable Ottoman Empire.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive along the Old City Walls of Costantinapolis to Eyup square. Built by Constantine the Great and expanded by Emperor Theodosius in the 4th century AD the walls protected the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for 900 years. Eyup being the house of Ayyub Al Ansari Mausoleum (Prophet Muhammed’s companion) is Istanbul’s spiritual center for the Muslim Turks but also is for anyone who would like to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view from its heights. We take the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill and have some free time to enjoy the view of the Golden Horn estuary below.

A short drive from here brings us to the Eminonu Pier where we embark on a Bosphorus Ferry for a 1 5 hours long breathtaking cruise along the Bosphorus strait which runs right through Istanbul city and also between ASIA and EUROPE continents. Our expert local guide explains to us about several Ottoman palaces ancient fortresses suspension continental bridges and wealthy shore villages with typical Ottoman architecture that we view along the shore. If time permits we will visit a leather fashion outlet center. After the tour transfer back to the hotel.