Experience Istanbul both by land and sea. Begin with a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait, you’ll delight in a mixture of past and present sites including unforgettable castles, towering minarets and world famous modern luxury hotels. You’ll continue to the Old City by bus to visit the Blue Mosque, designed by architect Mehmet Aga to rival the Hagia Sofia. This is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Its interior walls are adorned with beautiful bluish green tiles which gives the mosque its name. On another side of the square is the Hippodrome and its remnants - the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine and Constantine Columns.
Continue your walk through this bustling square to reach the majestic Hagia Sophia, now a museum and the most important Byzantine monument in the world. The intricate mosaics that adorn its ceilings and walls are of immeasurable artistic and historic value. Next visit one of the most colorful sites in Istanbul – the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part briefly. Then visit the open and modern section, where you’ll enjoy local snacks and a presentation of carpets, leather or jewelry, followed by time for shopping. A stop for lunch is scheduled during the tour to enjoy a Turkish style meal.
