This tour will take you to the Historical Peninsula where Constantinople was originally founded on the seven hills. The highlights are located on the first hill of the city, the ancient acropolis of Byzantium. First the Hippodrome will be seen. This was the Roman place of the chariot races and the starting point for the riots of the thousands. Right next to the Hippodrome stands the Blue Mosque across St. Sophia, the two major monuments of the Islamic and Christian world, face to face. We will visit Blue Mosque, renowned with its six minarets and the blue tiles, was constructed between 1609-1616 by the order of Sultan Ahmet.
This will be followed by a visit to the St. Sophia; originally a church, converted into a mosque, and now a museum. This superb building wins admiration for the splendor of its Byzantine artwork and architecture.

After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour will continue to Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the seat of the Ottoman ruling class, was established in the 15th century and spreads over a total area of 70,000 square meters.

Rate: US$ 85 per person
Including:
Touring in an air-conditioned bus with the service of an English-speaking guide.
Entrance fees
Lunch

The tour will start with Chora Church, formerly the Church of St. Savior in Chora, containing a series of superb preserved frescoes and mosaics, among the most evocative of all cities' Byzantine treasures. The tour will be followed with the visit of Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the masterpieces by the great architect Sinan, built in the 16th century for Sultan S?leyman The Magnificent.

This magnificent work of classical Ottoman architecture, which plays host to both worshippers and tourists today, is one of the most commanding features of Istanbul's enchanting skyline. After lunch in a local restaurant,the tour will continue to the delightful Museum of the Turkish and Islamic Arts. The museum is located in the actual 16th century building of the palace, which belonged to the Ottoman Grand Vezir Ibrahim Pa?a. Displayed in the museum are rare, ancient works of art from Turkish and Islamic culture; calligraphic manuscripts, centuries old huge, hand woven rugs, beautiful pieces of stone and wood carving, ethnographic artifacts from the rural and urban life. The last point will be the Underground Cistern. Undoubtedly the most impressive of the entire cistern system in the city, the Basilica Cistern was built by Constantine and enlarged by Justinian.
The cistern was drained and electric lights installed and now strains of Beethoven symphonies Echo against the dark walls.

Rate: US$ 69 per person
Including:
Touring in an air-conditioned bus with the service of an English-speaking guide.
Entrance fees
Lunch

Rate: US$ 65 per person
Including:
Touring in an air-conditioned bus with the service of an English-speaking guide.
Ferry ticket
Horse Carriage
Lunch

Friday, October 25, 2002 (Half day tour)
09:00-12:00
One of the truly unique experiences of a trip to Turkey is a visit to the Hamam. Like the harem, this Roman and Byzantine tradition was adopted and then perfected by the Seljuk Turks, for whom the public bath took on an important role. It was not merely a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness, it was a place in which to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women would proceed from their harem to the Hamam with great ceremony; accompanied by servants heavily laden with delicacies to tide the ladies over for the hours they would spend lounging in the steam. The young women used this opportunity to show off their ornately embroidered towels and ivory inlaid slippers, not to mention their youthful figures, while older women would spot potential wives for their sons. Men would discuss the latest court scandal or talk business and politics. Contrary to popular ideas, Hamams have always been permanently designated for one of the sexes, or have a separate schedule for men and women. Traditionally, a whole range of paraphernalia is associated with the Hamam. The pestamal, a colorful, checked cloth, which is wrapped around the waist by men, is still in use. Takunyalar, or wooden clogs, often inlaid or carved, have generally been replaced by plastic flip-flops. Soap, shampoo and other toiletries were carried in hand crafted copper or even gold plated tarak kutusu, literally comb boxes, and a copper tas was used to pour water over the bather. While some of these are no longer used, they are still widely available to buy and are guaranteed to add to the pleasure of the Hamam experience.

Rate: US$ 60 per person
Including:
Touring in an air-conditioned bus with the service of an English-speaking guide.
Turkish Bath Treat

Rate: US$ 60 per person
Including:
Transfer to and from the hotel with the service of an English-speaking guide
Dinner & Show at a local nightclub

Tour will end with a visit to the Grand Covered Bazaar, the labyrinth of 4000 shops that is an experience by itself.

Rate: US$ 20 per person
Including: Touring in an air-conditioned bus with the service of an English speaking guide; Visit to both Bazaars