2 wonderful days Antalya – Istanbul Program as follow:
Day 1 – Antalya – Istanbul Historical Tour
Pick up from the hotel and transfer from Antalya domestic airport for your flight to Istanbul. In Istanbul you will be met by your guide for a full days tour of historical Istanbul tour. Visit to ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Murtis tour will then take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4, 000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour
(Breakfast included)
Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping tour. Visit the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe) CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education.
You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murtis tours local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of Istanbul. After the tour we depart for Istanbul Airport for our domestic flight to Antalya. Transfer from Antalya airport back to your hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Turkey tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
2 DAYS ANTALYA – ISTANBUL TOUR INCLUDES:
• Transfer from your hotel in Antalya to Airport
• Domestic flight from Antalya to Istanbul
• 1 night hotel in Istanbul
• 1 open buffet breakfast
• Guided Istanbul City Tour
• Guided Istanbul Bosphorus cruise and shopping tour
• All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
• Professional English-speaking tour guides
• Return airport transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
• Domestic flight from Istanbul to Antalya
• Return airport transfer from Antalya Airport to your hotel
The prices can vary due to which hotel category you desire. Please let us know which hotel or resort you would like to book, number of people and room types required.
If you would like to visit other places not mentioned in this itinerary, we are happy to make a tailored itinerary for you. Please let us know how long you would like to stay and which places you are interested in visiting.