Istanbul & Seven Churches
Istanbul & Seven Churches
  • Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
  • Tour Code: BTT07
  • Highlights:
  • Departures: Every day, all year around

Description

Day 1: Arrive Istanbul

After arrived in Istanbul you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 // Full Day City Tour // Byzantine & Ottoman Relics (B-L)

You are going to meet with your guide at reception after the breakfast and you will start for a full day city tour. (Topkapi Palace, St.Sophia, Lunch at a charming restaurant, Blue Mosque, Hippodromme, Grand Bazaar)

Topkapı palace

The imperial residence of the ottoman empire for 400 years still survives with its all glory. Strategical location of palace is one of the best spot that you can observe golden horn and bosphorus with strait of Marmara. Finest architecture of the ottomans with different rooms, garden and towers. Some of the rooms contains large number of porcelains, weapons, robes, miniatures and ottoman jewellery and treasures.

Note: Harem section where was used as private apartments of the sultan has an extra enterence fee costs 15 $. There were 400 rooms where used to belong seperatly to the mother of sultan(valide sultan), concubines and wives of the sultan and rest of his family.

Hagia Sophia

Masterpiece of the town, was built by emperor justinian in 537 AD. It is one of the most visited museum in the World today. It was used as a church for 916 years then Fatih Sultan Mehmet the conquerer converted it into a mosque and was used as a mosque for 482 years. And after the foundation of turkish republic, with the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and decision of the miniters, Hagia Sophia was converted into museum in 1935. The current hagia sophia is the third one with its specific, massice and magnificient architecture history and art. It had been called the 8th wonder of the ancient World by the east romans(byzantians).
LUNCH: Full Course Deluxe Menu at a charming restaurant.

Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmet mosque in Turkish so called blue mosque as well because of the blue and Turquise tiles which surrounding the walls of interior. It was built by the order of Sultan Ahmet the sultan of the ottomans between 1609 and 1616 years. Its still used to pray and became one of the most popular tourist attraction in Istanbul

Hippodrome of constantinople

It was the social center and sporting area of the city during the byzantine reign. Hippodrome was used for horse racing chariot racing. Big crowds used to watch these organizations from the seating rows of hipodromme which had 100000 capacity of spectators. It was buit in 324 AD by constantine. The Wall obelisk,the serpent column,the obelisk of thutmosis 3 and fauntain of wilhem 2 are displayed around the area.

Grand bazaar

One of the largest covered markets in the World with 4000 shops and 60 streets and welcomes between 300.000 and 500.000 visitors Daily. Bazaar is so well known for its painted ceramics, carpets,jewellery,spices,souvenirs and antique stores. İt was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of 2.mehmet the conquerer. İt has four different main gate and its not hard to get lost thats why its important to keep the name of the gate where you came in and will met with your guide at the same gate After the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 // Full Day City Tour // Bosphorus & Two Continents (B-L)

Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00 and you will have a full day city tour. (Spice-Egyptian Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise by Boat, Lunch at a charming restaurant, Beylerbeyi or Dolmabahce Palace, Camlica Hill) CITY WALLS The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. DRIVE BY BUS TO GOLDEN HORN, the Golden Horn played great important role in the development of Istanbul. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. so called spice market(egypt market) its name comes from the many spices which used to be imported from Egypt during the ottoman reign and it was built in 1660. We offer you to taste and smell the aromas of saffron, cinnamon,mint,thyme and any kind of spice beyond your expectations.

BOAT TRIP ON THE BOSPHORUS An amazing cruise between the two continents, EUROPE and ASIA, along the Bosphorus by the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and mansions up to the Rumeli Fortress. THE RUMELI FORTRESS(FROM THE SEA) (NO INTERIOR VISIT) İstanbul had been besieged many times before Mehmet the Conqueror took the city in 1453,but it managed to defend itself with the help of the Roman city walls. LUNCH After lunch BOSPHORUS BRIDGE Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA) to another (EUROPE) BEYLERBEYİ PALACE the summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the HAREM on the ASIAN SIDE. CAMLICA HILL one of the highest points in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscape in traditional style, as you sip your drinks in a cafeteria.

Also visioned during the tours: ÇIRAGAN PALACE * HOTEL KEMPINSKI* ORTAKÖY MOSQUE * MILITARY HISHSCHOOL* BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents DOLAMBAHÇE PALACE from the sea

Day 4 // Flight to Izmir // Seven Churches Tour - Part I (B-L-D)

You will be picked up from your hotel early morning to take a flight to Izmir. Arrival to Izmir airport , drive north to the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health centre where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. On our way back to Izmir, we will stop by Thyateria to see the remains of the church. This was one of the principle towns where Christianity spread quickly. After the tour, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 5 // Full Day City Tour // Seven Churches Tour - Part II (B-L-D)

After breakfast visit the Apocalyps chuch in Izmir,then We leave in the morning for Sardis which holds a prominent place in mythology. Sardis felt the influence ofthe Seven Churches of Revelation and highlights include the 3rd century A.D.Synagogue, Gymnasium, House of Bronzes, Temple of Artemis, and of course the Church. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia which was an important Christian centre during Byzantine times. We will see the Basilica and several interesting mosques. Then drive to Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 6 // Full Day City Tour // Seven Churches Tour - Part III (B-L-D)

After breakfast visit the, combination of history and nature, Pamukkale. You'll visit the Roman city Hierapolis with Apollo Temple competing with Delphi, Monumental Nympheum a 4th century Basilica and the Theatre. The Theater and the well preserved Necropolis,We journey on to Laodicea Ad Lycum where the remains are found on a flat-topped hill. Christianity came to the area during the time of St. Paul, brought by Epaphras of Colossae. Laodicea became the seat of Bishopric and hosted an important Ecumenical Council in the fourth century A.D., it was named in the Revelations as one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Highlights will be the Water Tower, Stadium and the Council Chamber. Our next stop will be Ephesus, Visiting to House Of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and The Church of St.John. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7 // Flight to Istanbul // Departure (B)

You will be picked up from your hotel early morning to take a flight to Istanbul. Tour ends upon arrival.