Four Days Istanbul Programme

Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul, the only city, which is divided in two continents. Welcoming at the airport by our Gemini-team. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from hotel for visiting; Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia Museum, Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque.

Topkapi Palace; which was the first Ottoman palace to be built (1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of the Empire by Mehmet II. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were first laid in ancient times by Megarian Chief Byzas in the 7th century BC, the palace boasts one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul, incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the two shores and the sea of Marmara. Unlike the European palaces, Topkapi is not a single monumental structure but a more organic complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas spread over the tip of the historical peninsula at the entry of the Golden Horn.

Topkapi Palace served as the residence of Ottoman sultans for about 400 years, until Abdulmecid built the Dolmabahce Palace. In its hey-days, there were between 8-10 thousand people living in the palace, mostly being the Janisseri. The most attractive exhibition halls of the palace are: treasury, Islamic holly relics, and costumes of the sultans, divan, harem, kitchens,Chinese porcelains and several kiosks such as the Baghdad, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye.

St. Sophia, the magnificent of all Byzantine churches and one of the world’s finest and largest architectural work of art. It is built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodorus of Miletus between 532 and 537 AD under the rule of Emperor Justinian. It is now a museum where early Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy live side-by-side. Hagia Sophia is the great cathedral that was once the former spiritual heart of the Byzantine Empire. Considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World, Hagia Sophia has an architecture which was way ahead of its time. The central dome has a half-dome at either side and seems to be suspended in space. In the 19th century, extensive work was done to make the church more resistant to earthquakes. The interior is rich with mosaic tiles and arranged in murals. This is one of Istanbul’s best know landmarks.

Sultanahmet Mosque; Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga, a student of the Great Sinan with 260 windows and named for the beautiful Iznik tiles which give the mosque its interior colour. Blue Mosque is one of the world’s great buildings with its six slender minarets gracing the outside, while the interior is a sea of blue. The original seventh minaret was later presented to the mosque at Mecca for diplomatic reasons.

The Blue Mosque, is an architectural masterpiece famed for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets. Built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet, it remains the centre of religious demonstrations in the Islamic religion. The nickname of “blue mosque” was given due to the numerous blue Iznik tiles in the interior, which is illuminated from the light of its windows.

This is the only mosque in the world with six minarets and forms part of the city’s skyline. There are light shows held on summer evenings at the Eastern Side of the mosque.

Grand Bazaar; Grand Bazaar one of the largest and the oldest shopping malls in the world . The Bazaar initially consisted of two warehouses only, known as Inner Bedesten and Sandal Bedesten. Later on open streets were covered with doomed roofs, and separate buildings connected to each other. It is a mini city that sprawls accross 65 streets and 50 acres and includes some 4000 shops, tiny cafés, and restaurants – all surrounded by a wall, and entered through any of eleven gates. It offers a sea of choices that will tempt even the nonshoppers with its local curios and souvenirs: carpets,jewellery, icons, leather, meerschaum pipes, ceramics, bronze and copperware. Grand Bazaar is closed book… No matter how much you travel, not possible to see everything and understand… But to be in Istanbul and not to go and not to see is impossible.

Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer Black Sea Side for Şile,Ağva,Göksu River,Yeşilçay River and Black Sea boat trip
(Duration starts 08:10/finishes 19:30)

Istanbul is a beautiful city of many sights and sounds. But the Black Sea coast offers landscapes at least as interesting and spectacular as those found in the city. They are right there waiting to be discovered. Heading northeast of Istanbul on the Anatolian side, we will arrive in Sile, a small Black Sea fishing town situated on rocks. Known for its sandy beaches and famous Sile bezi an open-weave cotton fabric, it is the perfect first stop for our tour. Once a port of call for ships sailing east from the Bosphorus, enjoy a stroll along the fishing harbor or relax with a tea at the hilltop cafe overlooking the Sile lighthouse.

On the way to Agva we come across picturesque traditional Turkish villages like Kabakoz and Suayibli where time seems to have stood still. So near to Istanbul distance-wise, yet so far in their way of life. Experience the friendless and curiosity of these villagers. Continuing along the coastal route we arrive in Agva, deep in nature and situated between the Yesilcay and Goksu rivers that flow into the Black Sea. Upon arrival you will find peace in a leisurely a boat ride down the Goksu river. Set in a landscape so green and rich, bask in the sights of Agva. After taking in a magnificent view overlooking the sea and bluffs, we will break for lunch where you may dine on the local fish.

Next you will have a choice to truly unwind in the beauty of the Black Sea region by either relaxing along the Goksu river, or on one of Agva’s sandy beaches. Surrounded by forest and cliffs, the fresh, blue green waters of the sea are calling you. Get lost in nature. We will take the forest route on our return trip. Because of its mild, damp climate, this region is heavily forested, and here is where we make our final stop. Relaxed with a tea as you sway in a hammock at a forest cafe. A perfect ending to a day rich in nature. We will depart from this final destination to return back to Istanbul fully rejuvenated.

Day 4

Brakfast at the Hotel.
Before going to airport tsrf to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for tasting traditional Turkish desert Baklava

Karaköy Gülüoğlu; The people of Istanbul first met with a baklava shop in 1949 in Karaköy. A master of baklava from the Güllüoğlu family in Gaziantep Mustafa Güllü on 7/11/ 1949 opened the first baklava shop in Istanbul in Halilpaşa street no.12 in Karaköy. From that day on the first address of baklava in Istanbul is the Güllüoğlu shop in Karaköy. The family has been in baklava business since 1800’s. It is known that Hacı Mehmed Güllü is the first in the family to start to production of baklava. They called Mehmet Çelebi ‘ Güllü Çelebi’ meaning ‘Çelebi in roses’ or ‘Çelebi with roses’.This is because the family used to have oriental sore on their face and when the sore was getting better it had the shape of a rose. Then it became a family name.



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.

Gemini Tur,

Golden Plaza 19 Mayıs Cad.

No: 3/3 34360

Sisli - Istanbul / Turkey

Phone: +90 212 231 30 80 (pbx)

Fax: +90 212 231 30 89

http://www.geminiturkey.com/

Email: info@geminiturkey.com

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