Welcome to Turkey!

Today, you arrive in the historic and vibrant city of Istanbul, where East meets West in a stunning blend of culture, history, and modern charm.

🚖 Airport Transfer to Your Accommodation

• Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our team and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.
• Enjoy a comfortable ride as you get your first glimpses of the city’s incredible skyline.

🏙️ Rest & Explore at Your Own Pace

• The rest of the day is yours to relax after your journey.
• Take a leisurely stroll around your hotel, visit a local café, or enjoy a delicious Turkish meal nearby.

🏨 Overnight in Istanbul

Get a good night’s rest, as your exciting adventure begins tomorrow!

✨ Welcome to an unforgettable journey through Turkey! ✨

Optional Tour: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

Step into the heart of Istanbul’s Old City, where centuries of history, breathtaking architecture, and cultural treasures await. This tour takes you to some of the most iconic landmarks, revealing the rich legacy of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

🔹 Highlights of the Tour:

🕌 Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Famous for its six towering minarets and stunning domes and semi-domes.
Features a spacious courtyard designed in traditional Ottoman architectural style.
Located in Sultanahmet Square, where an ancient Egyptian Obelisk marks the site of the former Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine social and sporting life.

🏛️ Hagia Sophia – A Testament to Time
Originally a Byzantine church, later transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
Admire its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and stunning interior that blend Christian and Islamic artistry.

🛍️ Grand Bazaar – The World’s Oldest & Largest Covered Market
One of the most famous markets in the world, home to 4,399 shops, 497 stalls, and 2,195 workshops.
Wander through its vibrant streets, where merchants sell handmade carpets, gold jewelry, spices, ceramics, and Turkish souvenirs.

🏰 Topkapı Palace – The Heart of the Ottoman Empire
Served as the imperial residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years.
Walk through the ornate courtyards, Imperial Treasury, and the Sultan’s private chambers.
Visit the Harem, the secluded residence for the Sultan’s wife, mother, concubines, and female members of the royal family.

✨ Our Recommendation (Optional Visit): Spice Bazaar
After your guided tour, if you have free time, we highly recommend visiting the Spice Bazaar. This vibrant market is a feast for the senses, filled with the aromas of Turkish tea, spices, sweets, and dried fruits.

📌 Note: The Spice Bazaar is not included in the guided tour, but you can explore it on your own and make your way back to your hotel at your leisure.

📌 Important Notes:
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Blue Mosque is closed during Friday prayers.
Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

🚖 Hotel Pickup Information:
We provide hotel pickups from centrally located areas:
✔ Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, and Taksim.
📌 Pickups from locations outside these areas may incur an extra charge. Please speak to our team for further details.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Istanbul
After a day of exploring the city’s rich heritage, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

✨ Experience the magic of Istanbul’s Old City, where history comes alive!

Bosphorus Cruise & City Viewpoint Tour – Discovering Istanbul’s Waterfront & Panoramic Views
Today, embark on a spectacular journey along the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, taking in Istanbul’s stunning waterfront landmarks. Begin with an exclusive tour of Dolmabahçe Palace, then set sail past majestic palaces, fortresses, and iconic mosques, before finishing your day at one of Istanbul’s most breathtaking viewpoints.

🔹 Morning: Dolmabahce Palace Tour

🏰 Dolmabahce Palace
Start your day with a guided tour inside the sumptuous Dolmabahçe Palace, built between 1842 and 1853 in Neoclassical and Baroque Rococo styles.
Served as the residence for the last six Ottoman sultans, later becoming Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s summer home until his passing in 1938.
Admire:
✔ The stunning Crystal Staircase and grand ceremonial halls
✔ The world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, a true masterpiece
✔ Opulent gold and crystal embellishments throughout the palace
📌 Important Note: Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays. On these days, the tour will start later at 11:30 AM.

🔹 Midday: Bosphorus Cruise – Sail Between Two Continents
🚤 Embark on a scenic cruise, tracing the historic route from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, offering unmatched views of Istanbul’s iconic skyline.

🌉 Key Landmarks Along the Cruise:
Maiden’s Tower – A historic islet that has served as a lighthouse, radio tower, hospital, and now a restaurant-museum.
Ancient Walls of Constantinople – Over 1,600 years old, these mighty fortifications protected the city from invaders and were only breached twice.
Kucuksu Palace (1-Hour Stop) – A charming summer pavilion built by Sultan Abdülmecid, featuring ornate Baroque architecture.

Ciragan Palace – Once a Sultan’s residence, this luxurious palace was partially destroyed by fire in 1910, then restored as a luxury hotel in the 1990s.
Ortakoy Mosque – A beautifully designed Ottoman mosque, known for its pink mosaics and prime location by the water.
Bosphorus Bridge & Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge – Two monumental bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Beylerbeyi Palace – A lavish summer residence for Ottoman sultans, set against the Bosphorus shoreline.
Rumeli Fortress – Built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II to prepare for the conquest of Constantinople.

🔹 Afternoon: Bus Tour & City Viewpoint at Pierre Loti Hill

🚌 Panoramic Bus Tour
After the cruise, continue with a scenic bus tour through Sultanahmet and the Old City, providing insights into Istanbul’s deep-rooted history.

🏞️ Pierre Loti Hill – The Best View of Istanbul
Named after the French novelist Pierre Loti, who fell in love with Istanbul’s timeless beauty.
Take a cable car ride to the top, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Istanbul and the Golden Horn.
Sip traditional Turkish coffee at a charming café while soaking in the views.
The cable car descent offers another chance to capture the breathtaking cityscape.

🚌 Drive Along the Old City Walls
View the historic walls of Constantinople, built in the 5th century, and learn about their role in defending the city for over a millennium.

🚖 Return to Your Hotel
The tour concludes around 17:00-18:00, with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.

📌 Important Notes:
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays – On this day, the tour starts two hours later (11:30 AM).
Only Dolmabahce Palace, Kucuksu Palace, and Pierre Loti Hill are visited on foot.
All other sites are viewed from the boat or bus.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Istanbul
After a day of sailing, sightseeing, and panoramic views, return to your hotel for a well-deserved evening of relaxation.

✨ A perfect way to experience Istanbul’s waterfront beauty, historic grandeur, and romantic skyline!

Choose Your Experience: Troy or Gallipoli
Today, you have the unique opportunity to tailor your adventure by choosing between two historic and deeply significant destinations. Please let us know at the time of booking whether you prefer to explore The Ancient City of Troy or The Gallipoli Peninsula & Battlegrounds.

🔹 Tour Option 1: The Ancient City of Troy 🏛️
Troy is not just an archaeological marvel but also the birthplace of one of the greatest legends in history—the tale of the Trojan War and the famous Trojan Horse.

🕰️ Step Into Myth & History
According to legend, the Greeks laid siege to Troy for 10 years, unable to breach its impenetrable gates.
The Greeks devised a brilliant deception—a giant wooden horse concealing their troops inside.
Believing the horse to be a divine offering, the Trojans brought it within the city walls, unknowingly allowing the Greek army to infiltrate and conquer Troy.

🏺 Highlights of the Troy Tour
✔ Explore the ancient ruins, where remnants of city walls, government buildings, and homes still stand.
✔ See the replica of the famous Trojan Horse, offering a visual representation of the legendary tale.
✔ Learn about the nine layers of settlements, spanning over 4,000 years of history.
✔ Discover how archaeologists uncovered the truth behind the legend and the historical significance of Troy.
📌 Perfect for: History lovers, mythology enthusiasts, and those fascinated by ancient civilizations.

🔹 Tour Option 2: Gallipoli Peninsula & Battlegrounds ⚔️
The Gallipoli Peninsula is both stunningly beautiful and deeply moving, serving as a place of remembrance for the soldiers who fought and fell here. This tour honors the sacrifices made during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I.

🕰️ Reliving History – The 1915 Gallipoli Campaign
In April 1915, ANZAC troops and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Gallipoli.
Intelligence incorrectly suggested that the area was lightly defended, but the Turkish troops were well-prepared, leading to months of brutal trench warfare.
After over 100,000 lives lost and 250,000 wounded on both sides, the Allies were forced to retreat.

⚰️ Highlights of the Gallipoli Tour
✔ Visit memorial sites and cemeteries, including The Nek, Lone Pine Memorial, and the Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery.
✔ Walk through the preserved trenches and tunnels, offering a glimpse into the harsh battlefield conditions.
✔ Learn about both sides of the war, with stories of Turkish and Allied troops.
✔ Experience the solemn beauty of ANZAC Cove, where many soldiers landed and lost their lives.
📌 Perfect for: Those interested in World War I history, military strategy, and honoring the fallen soldiers of Gallipoli.

🏛️ A Journey Through History – Your Choice Awaits!
Whether you choose Troy’s ancient ruins and mythology or Gallipoli’s poignant war memorials, both experiences offer a deep connection to the past and an opportunity to explore Turkey’s rich historical landscape.

✨ Which adventure will you embark on? Let us know your choice at the time of booking! ✨

Farewell & Departure – Wishing You Safe Travels!

As your incredible journey through Turkey comes to an end, we bid you a fond farewell.

🚖 Airport Transfer

• You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
• If you need any assistance with onward travel plans or wish to explore more of Turkey in the future, we are happy to help.

🇹🇷 Thank You for Visiting Turkey!
We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in this amazing country.

✨ Safe travels & see you again soon! ✨