Byzantine & Ottoman Istanbul - Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world’s most fascinating cities and has a colourful and complex history, spanning many centuries. Our five night holiday will introduce you to both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods; spanning 1,600 years from 330 AD until the early 20th Century. It was during the long period as capital of the vast and sprawling Ottoman Empire that Istanbul took on much of the appearance visitors today can still enjoy. During our visit, there will be a comprehensive programme of sightseeing as well as some free time to explore the Grand Bazaar.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 - FLY TO ISTANBUL
  We fly to Istanbul and transfer to the 4 star Hotel Eresin Crown Sultanahmet where we stay for the duration of the tour.

• DAY 2 - GUIDED TOUR INCLUDING THE TOPKAPI PALACE
  Today begins with a guided tour of the sprawling city of Istanbul, starting at the Hippodrome, the most important relic from the city’s Roman period and rebuilt by Constantine in 330 AD. Next we visit the Islamic Arts Museum where we see unrivalled collections of decorative arts from all periods of Turkish history displayed in the splendid setting of the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha. Our day ends at the Topkapi Palace, the Sultan’s residence and the nerve centre of the Ottoman Empire.

• DAY 3 - THE CISTERN, HAGIA SOPHIA & THE GRAND BAZAAR
  We begin our day at the ancient Serefiye Cistern, built by Roman Emperor Theodosius II. Next we visit the Hagia Sophia, considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture. It became a mosque in 1453 and served as a model for all future Ottoman mosques. This afternoon, we will wander through Istanbul’s fabled Grand Bazaar, an ideal place to shop for souvenirs including textiles, food, ceramics and spices.

• DAY 4 - DOLMABAHCE PALACE, THE BOSPHORUS & THE SADBERK HANIM MUSEUM
  This morning we visit the vast Dolmabahce Palace which served as the centre for the Sultan’s extended domestic life. We then board a boat for a journey along the Bosphorus and finish with lunch at a local fish restaurant. Later we visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum with its superb collection of decorative arts before returning to the hotel.

• DAY 5 - CHORA CHURCH & SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE
  We start with a visit to the small but beautiful Church of St. Saviour in Chora which dates from 1077 and has some of the finest mosaics and frescoes in Istanbul. Then we make our way through the Ottoman districts of Balat and Fener to the spice market before ending our day at the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the city’s landmarks.

• DAY 6 - FREE TIME & FLIGHT TO LONDON
  This morning is free for independent exploration. We drive to Istanbul airport for the flight back to London.

Included Hotels

Eresin Crown 4* Superior - Istanbul, Turkey, Europe

This comfortable hotel is in an excellent location in the heart of the Sultanahmet district. It was built on the site of an Imperial palace and many of the original archaeological finds uncovered during the construction have been incorporated into the design and now form part of the hotel’s unique private museum.