Itinerary - Istanbul
Susan Cohen and Mimi LaCamera - 2015
September 26, 2015 Saturday - ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul – at 4:25pm. Meet your representative just outside baggage claim for private transfer to Four Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel in Istanbul.
Dinner recommended at Seasons Restaurant in your hotel restaurant.
Overnight at Four Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel in Istanbul.
September 27, 2015 , Sunday ISTANBUL
Meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private walking tour to all the ‘must see’ sites in the old city.
Your private tour of Istanbul starts with a visit to the Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. You will take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616, it is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance. The mosque was a part of a complex also including, tombs, fountains, kitchens, and a bath. Its colourful 260 windows enables the sunlight to reach inside. This makes the interior unusually light. The blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque.
Then, you will visit St. Sophia, the church of the Divine Wisdom. The architectural marvel of all time. It was built during Emperor Justinian reign (AD 537) and it remained the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by
Sultan Mehmet II who ordered to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque. In 1934, Atatürk proclaimed it a museum. The walls of this beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics.
Then, you will visit the Basilica Cistern, constructed in 532 AD built by Justinian to hold the water supply for the Great Palace. The Cistern is 70 meters wide and 140 meters long, with a capacity of 80,000m³ of water. Here you will find an atmospheric forest of 336 beautiful columns, don’t miss the two columns featuring the head of Medusa on their bases.
Lunch recommended at an old Ottoman House Restaurant. You can taste traditional Turkish Cuisine in a lovely atmosphere.
After your lunch, you will visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum with your private guide. Gain a fascinating insight into this grandiose complex of buildings that formed the residence of the Sultans and the women of the Harem for 400 years. There are four main courtyards which contain extensive gardens, pavilions, fountains, royal gates, divans, kitchens, library, mosques and the Harem. Visit the Treasury which houses a glittering collection of jewels, arms and armor, ceramics, imperial costumes and miniatures. It is in the Treasury you will find the famous Spoonmakers Diamond and Topkapi Dagger. Explore the private areas of the palace and learn some of the colorful stories of the infamous HAREM – the residence of the Sultan’s wives, concubines and children who where guarded by black eunuchs. There will be time for contemplation in the pavilions and imagine the scene when the gardens where once lit by candles riding on tortoises’ backs.
At the end of your private full day walking sightseeing, you will return to your hotel.
Dinner recommended at Sunset Restaurant, serving international cuisine with the beautiful view of the Bosphorus. (Transportation to and from the restaurant can be arranged.)
Overnight at Four Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel in Istanbul.
September 28 2015 Monday ISTANBUL
This morning meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private tour.
First, you will visit the Church of St Saviour in Chora. Built in the 11th century, the walls are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The mosaics depict the life of Virgin Mary and the infancy, genealogy and ministry of Christ.
After your lunch, you will visit the Suleymaniye Mosque. Built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent), the Suleymaniye Mosque dominates the third hill of old Istanbul, and is strikingly graceful and less ornate than many other imperial mosques, thus lending itself to meditation and quiet reflection.
Lunch recommended at Nar Restaurant located old city serving traditional Turkish Cuisine in a lovely atmosphere.
http://www.narlokantasi.com/en/
After your lunch, you will visit the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets. Our next stop will be experiencing the Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, Historical Coffee Roasters located in Grand Bazaar.
Last, you will enjoy a private cruise on the Bosphorus.We cruise along the waterway, separating the two continents of Asia and Europe, to enjoy front-door views of marble palaces, ancient wooden Ottoman villas, green vistas, modern residences and luxurious apartment buildings. Relax as we navigate through Istanbul’s winding straits and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas - you’ll see Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman Summer Mansions and Ortakoy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge - one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships and tankers. http://www.kiraliktekneler.com/
At the end of your private full day experience, you will return to your hotel.
Dinner recommended at Balıkcı Sabahattin Restaurant, serving fresh seafood.(walking distance)
Overnight at Four Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel in Istanbul.
September 29, 2015 Tuesday ISTANBUL
This morning meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private tour.
First, you will visit the Imperial Dolmabahce Palace, which was built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I. The facade stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus and was the last home of the Ottoman Sultans.
Then, you will visit the Istanbul Modern Art Museum to gain a fresh perspective of our city. The museum has been likened to the Tate Modern in London, the exhibits are thought provoking and feature contemporary art from both Turkish and International artists.
Lunch recommended at a local restaurant along the way.
Enjoy a walking tour this afternoon starting at the Galata Bridge. The bridge is always crowded with local fisherman and you will see the local delicacies that they fish out of the Bosphorus waters. Once you have crossed the bridge you are now in the Beyoglu district, which during the Ottoman Empire was known as Pera. Your first stop will be the Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklava shop to indulge in what most locals believe to be the best baklava in all of Turkey. Enjoy dessert at this Istanbul institution, and observe the local foot traffic as deliveries depart for homes throughout the city and to all parts of the country. Travel up the steep hill up to Galatasaray via the historic underground cable car which was built in 1875, then only the third underground railway project in the world. Upon exiting the station you will find yourselves on the grand boulevard, Istiklal Caddesi, lookout for the historical tram that runs the length of the street. Stroll through this area as your guide explains the history behind the many churches, dervish lodges, embassies and elegant buildings. This area is now the modern heart of Istanbul and you may decide to visit some of the boutique stores, galleries and cafes before finishing your walking tour.
At the end of your private full day experience, you will transfer to Pera Palace Hotel.
Dinner recommended at Kosebasi Restaurant, serving delicious Turkish Kebabs. (Transportation to and from the restaurant can be arranged.)
Overnight at Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul.
September 30, 2015 Wednesday ISTANBUL
Remainder of the day at your own leisure.
Dinner recommended at 360 Restaurant, serving international cuisine with the beutiful view of the Bosphorus. (walking distance)
Overnight at Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul.
October 1, 2015 Thursday ISTANBUL
At 5am, you will meet with your Karavan Travel assistant at the hotel lobby and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your international departure flight departing at 7:30am to Athens
USD 460.- per person based on 4 guests.
Included Services:
• Sightseeing tours as per above itinerary.
• Entrance fees of the specified museums in the itinerary.
• Transportation by A/C deluxe vehicles except for Sept 27 where the tour will be on foot.
• Private arrival and departure transfers.
• English speaking professional tour guide throughout the tours.
• Private cruise on the Bosphorus.
• Tips to hotels and restaurants.
• Local Taxes.
Included Unique Moments
● Evil Eye (Nazar Boncugu)
● Turkish coffee at Sark Kahvecisi.
● Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklava
Excluded Services:
• International flights.
• Suggested lunches.
• Meals that are not indicated on the itinerary.
• All personal expenses.
• Tips to the tour guide and driver.
• Accoommodation at Four Seasons Hotel and Pera Palace in Istanbul (own booking)
Itinerary #2.
On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 5:33 PM, Mia Martin <Mia.Martin@thetravelauthority.com> wrote:
Saturday 9/26
- Meet our guide at airport for transport to Four Seasons as you noted.
Ok
Sunday 9/27 with the guide visit
- The Blue Mosque - morning
- St. Sophia - morning
- Basilica Cistern - afternoon
Ok
Monday 9/28 with the guide visit
- Topkapi Palace - morning PLEASE INCLUDE A TOUR FOR THE HAREM
- Archeological Museum - afternoon - WILL THE GUIDE ACCOMPANY US TO THIS MUSEUM OR NOT?
Ok
afternoon We would prefer to visit this museum and not the Modern Art Museum, but do not know if we need a guide for this activity. We could probably do this ourselves
You can visit the Modern Art museum on your own if you like.
http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/visit/visiting-hours-and-admission_52.html
Tuesday 9/29 with the guide visit
- Grand Bazaar - morning
- Spice Bazaar - morning
- Chora Church - afternoon
move to Pera Palace on our own?
If you take your luggage before starting to tour, they can drop off to Pera Palace without charge. WE WILL DO THIS
Wednesday 9/30
- half day trip on the Bosphorus – could be morning or afternoon
We can arrange the tour for morning or afternoon. It's nicer around sunset when all the lights come on - especially on the bridges. WE WILL TAKE THE CRUISE AROUND SUNSET AS YOU RECOMMEND.
Thursday October 1
Meet with the travel agent at our hotel to transport 2 of us to the Istanbul airport to fly to Athens as you have noted.
Ok
Saturday October 3 PLEASE CHANGE THIS DATE TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR 2 TO THE AIRPORT
Please add transportation from our hotel to the Istanbul airport for the other 2 of our party to return to the US. on a flight at 1:25 pm .
Ok
1. How long do you recommend for a private boat tour of the Bosporus? Will the boat be for just the four of our party or would there be others included? What time do you recommend, morning or afternoon? Is that a separate guide or the one who will be taking us around Istanbul?
2 Hours sailing – boat is private just for your group and accompanied by your guide. We recommended the Bosphorus Cruise around sunset time around 5pm.
2. Your itinerary says that the entrance fees to the specified museums on the itinerary are included. What does this include? The Modern Museum? Anything else? Would there be additional fees for the other sights or are these fees included in the price such as the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Museum, Chora Church.
Our previous program included the entrance fee of below places.
St. Sophia – Basilica Cistern – Topkapi Museum – Harem – Chora – Dolmabahce – Modern Art
Entrance fees for new above program included: Hagia Sophia – Basilica Cistern – Topkapi Palace - Archeological Museum – Chora
3. Is there a "general sightseeing pass" that we should get?
Not going to save you anything on this trip because the pass and the entrance fees cost about the same as the pass.
3. Since we will be going with a guide to the sights, will we have to wait on line to enter them or will we be able to avoid any entrance lines?
This is private program and can be changed on the spot but if there are any extra entrance fees, you will need to pay locally.
4. What sights need transportation and what type of vehicle is provided?
For the excursions you need transportation on Tuesday 9/29 and Wednesday 9/30 Bosphorus Cruise Tour.
Tour will be arranged by Mercedes VITO.
5. I think we would prefer to have lunches on our own.
All meals are on your own. We only make suggestions and will make reservations if you like.
Price is USD 490.- per person based on 4 guests.
Response to Itinerary #2. Tuesday Sept 1.
Hello Mia,
We have reviewed this updated itinerary which looks good, so thank you. We do have a couple of questions and a few further adjustments noted within the details in red.
.
Questions.
1, I am wondering why the tour price for the updated itinerary increased by $30 per person (from USD 460 to 490 ) when there are fewer tour activities (the Dolmabahce and Hippodrome) in the updated itinerary than the first itinerary. We did add a trip to the airport for 2 people, but does not seem like that would add $30 per person.
2. On 9/28, you have omitted the Modern Museum and added the Archeological Museum as we requested and included the fee for the Archeological Museum in the cost, but it is not clear if the guide will accompany us there or if we will go on our own.
Adjustments
1. 9/28 - We did not mean to exclude the Harem from our Topkapi visit. Please be sure that the Harem visit is included.
2. 9/30 - We will take your advice and take the Bosphorus Cruise around sunset time.
3. 10/3 - I gave you the wrong date for this trip to the airport. It should be for 10/2 and NOT 10/3. .
Response to my questions about Itinerary #2.
Hi,
Here are the comments based on your last email
∙ Our previous offer was included “2 transfers” & “3 days tour on 27-28-29 September”; new offer is including “2 transfers” & “ 4 days tour on 27-28-29-30 September”, therefore our new offer is higher than previous offer.
∙ Our guide will accompany to guests during the visit of - Topkapi Palace including Harem section & Archeological Museum on 28th Sept, afternoon they will have their own visit for Modern Art.
∙ Sunset Cruise will be arranged on 30th Sept (we are waiting for exact confirmation for whole file)
∙ Could you please clarify; as per your previous ,information their flight from IST A/P to ATHENS on 01st October, referring to your below email, you informed us transfer date has been changed from 03rd Oct to 02nd Oct ? We are confused about this.
Call me to discuss I am back in the office.
Thanks!
Mia
The Travel Authority