To explore most special sights of Istanbul, this is a tour you should join. Hagia Sophia is going to impress you with its architecture and transformation. Blue Mosque is hiding the finest hand painted blue tiles on its interior walls. Topkapi Palace is a great complex where you can go through daily life of Sultans and their politics. Basilica Cistern is a palace size underground cistern which will take your breath away with its mystery. Grand Bazaar will be the place you take memories back home.
At your hotel
In the lobby of your hotel/at the airport/at the port.
Hagia Sophia is a 6th Century Byzantium Church built by Emperor Justinian and converted into a mosque by Ottoman Empire's first ruler in Constantinople. But it is more than a structure, it has a spirit. You should go inside and see the beauty of its huge dome.
Blue Mosque is an Ottoman Mosque at the heart of Sultanahmet Square which has 20 000 splendid hand painted tiles inside changing vision of interior walls with the daylight coming through little windows.
Topkapi Palace is a very well preserved museum with four big courtyards where we will see Imperial Council Hall of the Empire, an enormous kitchen where they cooked for whole palace, Audience Hall where sultan accepted his politicians. Islamic relics are displayed in Sultans' Privy Chamber, and a great armoury collection displayed in the exterior treasury building. At every corner there will be a historic building or section. We will explore together.
We can decide where to eat according to your wish. It can be a laid back lunch at a nice restaurant or a quick delicious lunch at a local restaurant. You will need a break anyway!
Biggest cistern in the area, meant to build to store water but ended up being an underground monument with its ornate column capitals. You will want to watch "Russia with Love" from James Bond series again.
Grand Bazaar is a heaven for shoppers and a maze for explorers. You may need a map without a guide:) There is something special for everyone.
End of the tour
At your hotel or Grand Bazaar
Guidance fee.
Entrance fees to the museums.
Topkapi Palace: 1500 Lira
Lunch.
Transportation if needed.
l can guide you in Cappadocia and in lzmir -where Ephesus is- if you cover my transportation fee.
Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday, can be replaced with Archeological Museum of Istanbul if you book this tour on Tuesdays.
For Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque visits there is a dress code. Men should wear long trousers, women should wear long trousers or dress and a scarf.
lt is a walking tour.
lf you need a transfer it should be added to the price.
For women: A scarf, long pants or skirts. They provide covers at the entrance but it is better to carry your own.
For men: Long trousers or shorts under knees.
This tour was a wonderful experience. Our guide had extensive knowledge of the area. She customized the tour to accommodate all of our request. She also was able to assist us with transportation and other needs in the area. I would highly recommend using her for any services in Bursa or Turkey.
Dear Jennifer, Thank you for your great review. l wish you have a great stay in Turkey. And hope to meet again one day. All the best, Emine
Our family had a private day tour of Bursa with Emine. Communication with her prior to the tour was pretty good. Emine showed up on time on the day of tour. We found her to be quite friendly, knowledgeable, and warm. Her English and communication skills were awesome. We had decided places of interest in advance. Emine let us took us our time and was on pace with us throughout the day. She was quite knowledgeable about each place and demonstrated historical facts in details. Best part, she took us to shopping which was a high on our list! Overall, Emine was fabulous.