Day 1: ISTANBUL
Welcome to IstAnbul; the city combining East and West, new and old, with its glorious history dating back to 6,000 B.C. The only city hosted a role in the history of being the capital of three biggest Empires in the World, Eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman.
Meet and assist on arrival at Istanbul airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at free at leisure to discover the city on your own and dine out at a restaurant to enjoy the different cuisines from all over the world.
Day 2: ISTANBUL
Your Professional tour guide picks you up from your at 09:00 for the Istanbul City Tour. Today we will explore the capital of two great Empires; Byzantium and Ottoman. First we visit Topkapi Palace where was used as the main residence of Ottoman Sultans. Topkapi Palace is one of the greatest Palace Museums in all around the world. While visiting Topkapi Palace we will find us in four courtyards; Parade Square; Divan Square; Enderun Court; The Imperial Sofa. In the palace we will also visit Kubbealtı / Divan-ı Hümayun, Exterior Treasury/Weapons Section, Justice Tower, Kitchens, Audience Chamber, Imperial Wardrobe, Palace Library, Chamber of Treasury, Chamber of Sacred Relics, Ağalar Mosque, Circumcision Room, Revan Pavilion, Baghdad Pavilion, Sofa Pavilion, Evening Meal of Ramadan Pavilion and also Pergola. In the palace entrance of Harem section is with optionally extra fee. After the Topkapi Palace we will visit Hagia Sophia Museum which was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years. After Hagia Sophia we will have our launch in a Turkish restaurant. Later on we will get into The Blue Mosque, a great work of Ottoman Architects and famous with Otoman İznik Tiles. Our next stop will be Ancient Hippodrome and we will get deep informations about the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. from our guide. After The Ancient Hippodrome, Yerebatan Cistern will be the next. And our last stop for today is the Covered Grand Bazaar that you can enjoy the rest of the day by shopping. After that we will drive to hotel back.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: EDİRNE
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Edirne The Second Capital of Ottoman Empire. First we visit Eski Camii, was built of cut stone and brick 1402-14 with fine white marble portal and decorative calligraphy on the interior walls and pillars. Then Üc Serefeli Mosque, “tree balconied” the name of the mosque derived from the three balconies on the southeast minaret. Each balcony is reached by a separate stairway. The decorative tile designs on the minarets are all different.
Selimiye Mosque Edirne’s crowning glory, was built for Selim II, (1566-74) by Sinan who was the architect of the Abode of Felicity for 50 years. It was the masterpiece of
Sinan’s old age. The symmetrical design strongly emphasised by the four minarets and the soaring rise of the central dome.
After Lunch continue our tour with Semiz Ali Pasa Arasta; is also the work of Sinan. Completed in 1589, it is a long tunnel-like building with shops on both sides. Here you may buy one of Edirne’s specialities, soap shaped like fruit or vegetables.
We also see the Meric bridge (New Bridge) constructed at the junction of Meric and Arda rivers between 1842 – 1847.
Kule Kapisi (12 C Tower Gate) is the another place, all that remains of the tower which once protected the principal gate of the citadel. It was rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor John Comnenus II (1118-43) as part of his repair of the Hadrianic defensive system. is also known as Makedonia Tower, Fire Tower, Clock Tower. Actualy this manument was the one of four tower of the Edirne Castle. Then it was converted into a clock tower which was burn by a fire.
Beyazit Kulliye & Health Museum, is near the Tunca River, the largest Ottoman spritual and physical welfare complex. There was a medical center, which is converted into a “Health Museum”, in the complex. You can get to know the development of medical science (specialy mental illness) of Ottoman In the octogonal, domed timarhane the insane were treated by musical therapy. This is the largest the complex in Edirne
Late afternoon drive back to Istanbul transfer to hotel.
Day 4: ISTANBUL- Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Atatürk Airport for international flight
TOUR INCLUDED SERVICES
* Air conditioned vehicle for transportation
* 3 nights bed & breakfast base accomodation in 4* hotel at Istanbul
* Istanbul, Bursa transfer and tours
* Professional tour guide (English / please ask for other languages)
* Entrance Fees to visiting sites
* Lunch as mentioned in itinerary (drinks are extra)
* All taxes
All tours have been posted by TURSAB(Turkish Society of Travel Agencies) licensed travel agencies and tour operators who have replied to the formal TURSAB call of 08.07.2013 for publishing their tours on this website.
ÜÇ A TRAVEL,
Sivritaş Mah.R.Başaran Meydanı No:25
Ürgüp Nevşehir 50400
Phone: +90 384 3414405
+90 (532) 1635010
+90 (530) 2895086
Mail: info@ucatravel.com
incoming@ucatravel.com
