Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

A scenic 25-minute drive in your motorcoach takes you across the Galata Bridge into the heart of Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Your first destination is the Suleymaniye Mosque, many of Istanbul's finest mosques were designed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. You'll visit one of his masterpieces, the Suleymaniye Mosque, built on the order of Suleyman the Magnificent and constructed in the year 1557. Designed to be an architectural counterpoint to Hagia Sophia, it's regarded as the most beautiful of all imperial mosques. Prepare to snap a photo or two of the magnificent architecture and the tombs of the Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife, Roxelana.

Your tour continues with a visit to the Islamic Arts Museum, housed in the former Ibrahim Pasha Palace, the residence of the Grand Vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent. The museum is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted 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.

The last stop on your tour is the Grand Bazaar, the largest market in the world. You'll view a carpet demonstration then explore over 4.000 shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leather ware, and copper goods. Bargaining is expected and half the fun.

Your tour concludes with a walk back to your motorcoach, and a relaxing drive back to the port. With Istanbul behind you, you leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories of a lifetime.