İstanbul Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour (Full Day)

HIPPODROME, The center of sport activities with its four monuments; The GERMAN FOUNTAIN OF WILHELM II, Egyptian Obelisk, SERPENTINE COLUMN and the COLUMN OF CONSTANTINE. The BLUE MOSQUE The most famous mosque of Istanbul which is known as the BLUE MOSQUE as well because of its beautiful blue Iznik tiles (Visit is not possible on Friday due to Friday Prayer) THE HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE 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. (Visit is not possible on Friday due to Friday Prayer) GRAND BAZAAR(COVERED MARKET) In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4000 shops with each trade having its own area; the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brasware and trays, water ewers, onyxware and meerschaum pipers. (Grand Bazaar closed on Sunday, replaced with Arasta Bazaar) LUNCH (Drinks are extra) HAGIA IRENE CHURCH Built during the same period (4th century) as its neighbour the Hagia Sophia.The name Hagia Irene Church means ‘’Godly’’ or ‘’Holy Wisdom’’ in Greek. After the conquest of Istanbul it was incorporated into the grounds of Topkapı Palace and like many other churches was converted into a mosque. However there were no major changes made to the building’s structure. (Hagia Irene Church closed on Tuesday) TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewellery thrones of sultans, costumes worn by the sultans and their families; miniatures, the Holy Mantle; CHABER OF SACRED RELICS. (Harem is not included in the program and visit is due to extra entrance fee.) Pick Up Location : Hotel pick-up & drop-off service are available only from the hotels located in the city center. There may be an extra charge for transportations from other locations or airport.