Istanbul, Turkey

Tour through Old Istanbul, crossing the Galata Bridge. Your guide will point out the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the most important mosques of the Ottoman Empire, before you drive along the city walls surrounding the ancient city. You will also pass under the age-old Roman aqueduct on your way to the Spice Market. The Spice Market or Egyptian Bazaar was constructed in 1663 as a part of the adjacent Yeni Mosque complex, in order to generate funds for the upkeep of the mosque. This was an avant-garde concept at the time-light years ahead of the not-for-profit fundraising game. The Spice Market is the best place to purchase spices familiar and exotic, whose pungent aromas bear little resemblance to the supermarket variety, as well as fresh Turkish Delight, caviar and a fascinating array of teas before you return to the port.

What better way to "study" the history of Turkey than through its art and architecture. After a scenic drive in your motorcoach from the port, you arrive for your visit of the Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece designed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. Your tour continues with a visit to Islamic Arts Museum, home to 40,000 objects from the Ottoman (14th to 20th centuries), Seljuk (11th to 13th centuries), and earlier periods beginning in the 8th century. Religious art, Turkish carpets, manuscripts, carved and inlaid wood, glass, porcelain and stone are displayed, as are a fully furnished nomads' tent and 19th-century Ottoman parlor. You'll cap your day off with shopping at the colorful Grand Bazaar. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

This easy tour spans two continents, promising an easy, yet stunning, view of Istanbul. A scenic 40-minute drive in your motorcoach to Beylerbeyi District is a photo opportunity of a lifetime, promising views of the Bosphorus. Continuing on your tour, you'll travel to the European side for a dazzling photo opportunity at the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome, once the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games through the history of the Byzantine empire. Minutes away, you'll visit Hagia Sophia, also known as St. Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world with over 4000 shops. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

This easy tour spans two continents, promising an easy, yet stunning, view of Istanbul. A scenic 40-minute drive in your motorcoach to Beylerbeyi District is a photo opportunity of a lifetime, promising views of the Bosphorus. Continuing on your tour, you'll travel to the European side for a dazzling photo opportunity at the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome, once the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games through the history of the Byzantine empire. Minutes away, you'll visit Hagia Sophia, also known as St. Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world with over 4000 shops. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

Step back in time to an era of opulence and dazzling color on this walking tour of Istanbul. After a scenic drive in your motorcoach from the port, you arrive at Byzantine Hippodrome for a photo opportunity that captures this arena, once the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life. Then explore the Underground Cistern. Visit Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture, rich with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. A visit to the Grand Bazaar round out historic tour.

Take a tour of historic Istanbul then shop 'til you drop. Your first destination is the Blue Mosque. Together with your guide, you'll tour this 17th-century marvel that boasts a multitude of domes and semi-domes and graceful minarets on the exterior, and over 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles in more than 50 different tulip designs, and 216 stained glass windows, on the interior. Just minutes away, you'll visit Hagia Sophia, considered one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. After an awe-inspiring exploration of Turkish history, you'll board your motorcoach for a shopper's dream experience at the Grand Bazaar. Start off with a carpet demonstration then have three hours on your own to explore. With over 4.000 shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leather ware, and copper goods, you're sure to find something that'll strike your fancy. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

Get a revealing look at the life and times of Ottoman sultans. Your first stop is the awe-inspiring Topkapi Palace Museum, a huge walled complex that hugs the Bosphorus. This former palace of Ottoman sultans is now a museum displaying an extraordinary collection of art, artifacts, and jewels. Just inside is the Topkapi Treasury, home of the famed Topkapi Diamond, the "Spoonmakers Diamond" and the jewel-encrusted Topkapi dagger. Steps away is the harem, offering a revealing look into how the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived. Your tour continues with a drive to the Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world with over 4.000 shops. You'll view a carpet demonstration and explore the shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leather ware, and copper goods. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

Get a snapshot view of Istanbul in this walking tour. After a scenic drive in your motorcoach from the port, you'll arrive at the Blue Mosque. This 17th-century marvel boasts a multitude of domes and semi-domes and graceful minarets on the exterior, and over 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles in more than 50 different tulip designs, and 216 stained glass windows, on the interior. Just minutes away, you'll visit Hagia Sophia, considered one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. The Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world, presents a carpet demonstration and a plethora of opportunities to bargain in over 4,000 shops.

Get a snapshot view of Istanbul in this walking tour. After a scenic drive in your motorcoach from the port, you'll arrive at the Blue Mosque. This 17th-century marvel boasts a multitude of domes and semi-domes and graceful minarets on the exterior, and over 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles in more than 50 different tulip designs, and 216 stained glass windows, on the interior. Just minutes away, you'll visit Hagia Sophia, considered one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. The Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world, presents a carpet demonstration and a plethora of opportunities to bargain in over 4,000 shops.

The Straits of Bosphorus is the start of your itinerary, as you board a motorboat for a panoramic cruise that promises to leave you breathless. Whether from the comfort of the interior saloon or on deck, you'll witness grand Ottoman palaces and castles, as you dine on a traditional Turkish breakfast. Your tour continues with a drive to the Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world, offering a carpet demonstration and shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leather ware, and copper goods.

Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service.

Explore at your own pace with a private minivan vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service.

Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service.

Explore at your own pace with a private minivan vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service.