Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
Your flight gets you into Istanbul, and after checking into your hotel, you'll have some free time to walk around and get your bearings. The city spreads across two continents, so take it easy if you're tired from travel, or head out and start getting familiar with the neighborhoods around where you're staying.
Optional Activities
- Solo exploration of Istanbul
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning you'll meet your tour leader and the rest of your group. Then it's into Istanbul's Old City where you'll see Topkapi Palace, check out the Basilica Cistern with those famous Medusa heads, move through Hagia Sophia, and stop by the Blue Mosque. The Ancient Hippodrome rounds out the afternoon, and by evening you'll gather with the group for Turkish dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Turkish feast)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Istanbul's Old City
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Visit Basilica Cistern
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque)
- Visit Ancient Hippodrome
- Turkish feast dinner
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Basilica Cistern Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) Ancient Hippodrome 
- Day 3
Istanbul
Today focuses on the Ottoman period. You'll visit Suleymaniye Mosque, which was constructed between 1550 and 1557, then spend time in the Grand Bazaar where over 4,000 shops pack into the warren of covered streets. Later, a boat cruise takes you down the Bosphorus so you can see medieval Ottoman castles and watch where Europe and Asia meet along the water.
Included Activities
- Visit Suleymaniye Mosque
- Explore Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus boat cruise
Landmarks/POIs Suleymaniye Mosque Grand Bazaar Bosphorus - Day 4
Istanbul
After breakfast, hop on the tram heading to Dolmabahce Palace to see its 19th-century architecture mixing baroque, neoclassical, and rococo elements. The funicular gets you up to Taksim where you can try street food and walk along Istiklal Street through the Pera and Cihangir areas. From there, cross the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn and finish at the Spice Market near Yeni Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dolmabahce Palace
- Street food sampling at Taksim
- Stroll along Istiklal Street
- Explore Pera and Cihangir neighbourhoods
- Cross Galata Bridge
- Visit Misir Carsi (Spice Market)
Optional Activities
- Visit Galata Tower (entrance not included)
Landmarks/POIs Dolmabahce Palace Taksim District Istiklal Street Galata Tower Galata Bridge Misir Carsi (Spice Market) Yeni Mosque - Day 5
Istanbul
Your Istanbul trip winds down today as you prepare for your journey home. If you're interested, you have the option to join other tours or stick around for more time in the city, but otherwise it's time to head to the airport and depart.
Optional Activities
- Walking in Cappadocia extension tour
