Page 88 - Southern Europe

A Taste of Istanbul
4 days
Modern City, Old City, Bosporous
Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Interna- tional Airport. Meet our driver or guide according to your arrival time and private transfer to your hotel. Meet
with your guide at the hotel around 8 PM and go out for a dinner and night out to get your first taste of Istanbul's magic. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 -Istanbul (The Old City)
The first full day in Istanbul begins with a visit to the Hippodrome - for more than 1000 years the Hippodrome was the Byzantine center for sporting and social life; including chariot races, coronations, parades and court ceremonies. The
Egyptian Obelisk (carved in 1500 BCE and moved to Istanbul in 390 AD) is one of the best-preserved obelisks in the world. After strolling around the Hippodrome area, we will visit the Blue Mosque - the Grand Mosque of the Ottomans. This is a still-functioning mosque and offers beautiful Iznik ceramic tile work inside as well as spectacular architecture inside and out. The Hagia Sophia is our next stop - regarded as one of the marvels of architecture and engineering, the Hagia Sophia is currently a museum with a rich history. Built in 537 AD it is still considered the epitome of
Byzantine architecture. Later converted to a mosque and then to its current state as a museum, the Hagia Sofia is one of the highlights of your Turkish holiday. Before lunch we will also visit the underground Basilica Cistern which offers rows upon rows of marble columns and carved statues in this beautiful water reservoir. Enjoy your lunch with views of the Hagia Sofia. After lunch we will take a short stroll to the famous Topkapi Palace -
the imperial palace of the Ottomans. After touring the palace, we will relax on the terraces of the palace overlooking the Bosporus of Istanbul and enjoy a cup of Turkish Coffee
before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul (Contemporary Tour) Istanbul's proximity to Europe and The Middle East has made it a melting pot of both cultures. You will be able to see this reflected in the exhibits while visiting the Istanbul Modern Art Museum and the Pera Museum. Beyoglu Street, close to Pera Museum, frequently hosts contemporary art exhibitions. Your itinerary will be
TURKEY Downtown Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
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