Istanbul Old City Day Tour with 2 nights

DAY 1 – Arrive in Istanbul, met on arrival. Transfer to hotel. Overnight 1

DAY 2 – Breakfast. Pick up from hotel at 08.30. Full Day Old City Tour of, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace – Grand bazaar. Overnight 2.

Our guide will take you to Hagia Sophia built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD, desgined by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus. The church is one of the marvles of world architecture. Converted into mosque in 1453 then to museum in 1934 and to mosque again in 2021. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is also famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child.

Next we visit the Blue Mosque (outside visit only) which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmed in the early 17th century and designed by pupil of Sinan, the greates of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minerats. Its courtyard is especially grand.

The Hippodrome the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Among theses, Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.

Topkapi Palace is now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’S Diamons, the 3rd largest in the world. It also posseses numerous Ottoman court customes and ceramics, notably including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics, many gifts from other rulers.

Final Stop, The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the Old City and its 4,000 shops are full of treasure including carpets, kilims, silks, ceramics, icons and leather goods.

DAY 3 – Check out. Transfer airport.