City of Sultans - 4 day City Stay

FROM USD $689

Visit Istanbul - the only city that spans two continents. See the beautiful Blue Mosque and ancient Hagia Sofia, explore opulent Topkapi Palace and test your bartering skills in the Grand Bazaar. 4 days of pure Turkish delight!

Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul airport and transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet. Rest of day free. Overnight - Istanbul

Day 2: Old City sights

This morning embark upon a fully guided tour of the only city that spans two continents, Europe and Asia. Before lunch, visit the Hippodrome area - famed as the centre of Byzantine life for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400! Continuing, explore the stunning Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, built by Emperor Justinian. Once a church, then a mosque, today it is a museum. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans for almost 4 centuries and finally the Grand Bazaar (if open) before returning to your hotel. Overnight - Istanbul (B, L)

City of Sultans - 4 day City Stay Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!

Day 3: Bazaars & the Bosphorus

Today, visit the Egyptian Spice market (stock up on bargain saffron, spices and Turkish Delight here!) before enjoying a cruise on the Bosphorus - the body of water that separate European from Asian Istanbul. Later, visit the Beyerbeyi Palace in all its sultanate splendour and take in the stunning views atop the city’s highest point - Buyuk Camlica. Return to your hotel and spend the remains of the day at leisure. Overnight - Istanbul (B, L)

Day 4: Istanbul

Arrangements end after breakfast. (B)

Upgrade to a boutique hotel

Why not spoil yourself? Upgrade your stay and revel a little in Istanbul. We offer a select range of boutique hotels in the heart of Sultanahmet. If wanting something a little more special, our upgrade option is just the ticket.

Contact your travel consultant for more information, cost and availability. .

Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Please consider this when booking.

Your sightseeing on day 2 and 3 may be conducted with other passengers.

The airport arrival transfer is included for all flights arriving into Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and also for Easy Jet and Turkish Airways flights from London Luton Airport, that arrive in Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

FROM USD $689

Prices & Departure Dates

Prices shown are ‘per person’, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The single supplement price needs to be added to the twin/double price if single rooms are required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.

Prices are based upon 3 star accommodation, an upgrade to 4 or 5 star hotels is available upon request, please contact us for pricing.

Departs daily. When choosing your travel dates please bear in mind that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.



Date	Price/Person	Single Supp.
City of Sultans - 4 day City Stay	USD $689	USD $229



Supplementary Prices	Twin/Double	Single Supp.
Pre-Tour Accommodation	USD $89	USD $40
Post-Tour Accommodation	USD $89	USD $40

City of Sultans - 4 day City Stay Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!

Bolt-ons

Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.

Tour Bolt-ons - Princes Islands - 1 day

USD $149

Located in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul, the Princes’ Islands are a chain of nine islands offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Turkey’s largest city. There are no cars on the islands and the main mode of transportation is horse and cart or bicycle, giving the islands a wonderful nostalgic vibe. Buyukada is the largest island of the nine and one of the most attractive with two peaks and gingerbread-style villas lining the slopes.

Tour Bolt-ons - Bulgaria Breakaway - 4 days

USD $799

Discover the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Sofia, an intoxicating mix of east-meets-west with grand onion-domed churches and imposing Ottoman mosques standing alongside modern shopping malls and a thriving scene of museums, galleries and restaurants. Compact enough to explore on foot, Sofia is an attractive city with enough culture and historic sites to keep you entertained for days.

Experiences

If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.

Live It Local

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul - one of the largest covered markets in the world

Bazaars

Shop til you drop and experience a myriad of different sights, sounds and souvenirs in bustling bazaars around the world. Soak up the atmosphere in the souks of Marrakech, barter for bargains at the ginormous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or lose yourself in Beijing's Silk Alley Markets. Visit the old covered market in Damascus or get some great souvenirs in Otavalo the handicraft market in Ecuador.

The-Palace-Of-Catherine-The-Great-In-St-Petersburg

Palaces & Forts

Want to see how the other half live? Then take a look at our selection of tours that visit all the best palaces and forts around the world. Many of the wonderfully ornate edifices that we visit are now historical museums and sites of interest allowing you to have a good old look around. And when you've had your fill of sightseeing, it's time to live like a king and stay in one of the many hotels that have been converted from a palace or fort!

Highlights & Inclusions

Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.

Trip Highlights

Istanbul - Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul) The Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace
Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait

Egyptian Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar
Beyerbeyi Palace and Buyuk Camilica - the city's highest vantage point

What's Included

3 breakfasts and 2 lunches
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport
English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide on day 2 and 3
Transportation in a modern air-conditioned vehicle

3 nights 3 star hotel (Upgrade to a 4 or 5 star available upon request)
Guided sightseeing of Istanbul sights - day 2 and 3 including a Bosphorus Cruise
Relevant transfers and transportation
Entrance fees to all included sites

What's Not Included

Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

International flights and visa

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.

Asur Hotel - Istanbul

The friendly and cheerful Asur Hotel is a great place to base yourself when discovering Istanbul. Rooms are simple yet comfortable with parque flooring, good size beds and en suite facilities. Heading out of the hotel into the winding streets of Saltanahmet for a delicious Turkish feast is a great way to spend the evening. Perfectly located in Sultanahmet, within walking distance of most of Istanbul's top attractions.

Our Rating : Standard — Local Rating: 3 Star Hotel