Tour 1 - ISTANBUL - OLD CITY CLASSICS

See how old meets new as you visit Old City's " must - see '' historical sites

Istanbul is the only city in th eworld to sit across two continents. This fully guided sightseeing tour of Istanbul is the main introduction to this legendary Old city, formerly called Constantinople, it was the capital of the Roman Empire, Byzantine & Ottoman Empires for 1600 years.

Sites to visit : Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Lunch, Topkapi Palace

Closed

Hagia Sophia on Monday: Replaced with Basilica Cistern or Kariye Museum

Topkapi Palace on Tuesday: Repalced with one of the these sites: Basilica Cistern, Kariye Museum or Beylerbeyi Palace

Grand Bazaar on Sunday: Replaced with authentic shop.

INTRODUCTION OF SITES

* The Hippodrome of Constantinople -

It was the heart of Old City as the "Largest Hippodrome of The Ancient World" built as an arena for chariot races and Olympic games, wild beast shows, imperial ceremonies, military triumphs, political demonstrations, and public executions. Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, German Fountain are the monuments visited.

* Blue Mosque

is Istanbul's imperial Mosque of Sultan Ah met I, built in 17'th C. as one of the most famous mosque complexes in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, as It is a great example of Classic Turkish-Ottoman architecture, decorated with more than 20,000 of blue, World famous - lznik tiles. It is one of Istanbul's most important symbols, forms a magnificent piece of the Historical Peninsula's skyline.

* Hagia Sophia Museum

- Now only a museum, Once a Pagan temple, converted to first Church by Constantine the Great, later restored in the 6th century by Justinian I as the largest basilica in the Christian world, Sultan Mehmet II converted it into an Ottoman imperial mosque After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It Is a masterpiece of Roman & Byzantine architecture & a component of a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the major historic buildings of The WORLD, not only Istanbul.

* Topkapi Palace -

the wondrous royal residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years & one of the main attractions in Istanbul. Topkapi is full of mystery and charm, also has a splendid display of artworks & Its collections boast such treasures as books, carpets, textiles, plates, costumes, paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, furniture, armor and other war implements, the Treasury & jewels, Holy Relics and the Harem (the residence of the Sultan's wives, concubines, and children) - *The Harem is not included within this program.

* Grand Bazaar -

In operation since the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is especially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets.

* Rustempasa Mosque -

is built in 1563 by Ottoman architect Sinan as the first example of his masterpieces in Istanbul, interior is covered with the finest examples of exquisite lznik colored tiles.

* Suleymaniye Mosque -

is Istanbul's mosque complex donated by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, built in 1557 & designed by the Ottoman Empire's greatest architect Sinan. The complex includes a Hamam, a hospital and medical school, a primary school, soup kitchen, medrese - theological colleges, and a caravanserai.