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Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour

Tripoto
24th Feb 2014
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 1/20 by Erol Utgun
Along the Bosphorus strait
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 2/20 by Erol Utgun
The best tour along Bosphorus
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 3/20 by Erol Utgun
The ornate entrance of Dolmabahce Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 4/20 by Erol Utgun
The beautiful Dolmabahce Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 5/20 by Erol Utgun
Dolmabahce Palace from the inside
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 6/20 by Erol Utgun
The majestic Dolmabahce Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 7/20 by Erol Utgun
Busiest ferry crossings at Eminonu
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 8/20 by Erol Utgun
Historic Eminonu’s Fish-Bread
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 9/20 by Erol Utgun
Kuleli- Military school in Istanbul along Bos
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 10/20 by Erol Utgun
Medival fortifications along Bosphorus
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 11/20 by Erol Utgun
Ortakoy mosque during the Bosphorus tour
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 12/20 by Erol Utgun
Secend Bosphorus Bridge, built in 1989
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 13/20 by Erol Utgun
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 14/20 by Erol Utgun
Çırağan Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 15/20 by Erol Utgun
Beylerbeyi Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 16/20 by Erol Utgun
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 17/20 by Erol Utgun
Ortaköy Mosque
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 18/20 by Erol Utgun
Ortaköy Mosque and First Bosphorus Bridge
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 19/20 by Erol Utgun
A lovely group I guided at Dolmabahce Palace
Photo of Istanbul's Imperial Pleasures: A Guided Day Tour 20/20 by Erol Utgun
When we are having a Boat Trip up the Bosphor

To make every minute count, spend this single day in Istanbul luxuriously at DOLMABAHÇE PALACE and BOSPHORUS CRUISE. Dolmabahce Palace served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. It is one of the most impressive palatial buildings that one will ever see. One thing that can be easily noticed is that this Palace differed from previous Ottoman Palaces, with its European style architecture and lavishly decorated interiors. This Palace is also the largest monoblock palace complex in Turkey. You will experience a sense of imperial pleasure when you wander through the classic interiors of this palace.

You can have lunch in a restaurant offering Turkish Cuisine. But, better than this is to have Historic fish-bread in Eminönü. After lunch, get on the cruise from Eminönü and set sail along the shores of the Bosphorus. As mentioned previously, there are a lot of historical sites to see in Istanbul and with only a day there will be hardly any time to squeeze them in an itinerary. So take an unforgettable Bosphorus tour. Local or tourist, everyone will vouch for this amazing aqueous journey. This will mark an end to one of the best day trips you've been on. 

One day is not enough to experience this city. But, that doesn't mean one will fail to procure some of the best memories from this city break. This one day in Istanbul has actuated many to definitely come back to this city for a much longer stay.

Start the day with Dolmabahce Palace as it opens at 09:00. The tourist entrance to the palace is near the palace’s ornate clock tower designed with exceptional masonry. Move further to see the Palace, which is no short of a masterpiece. It is on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait. The Palace has a great meaning for Turkish people since the supreme leader Ataturk, the' father of the Turks' and first President of the Republic, had used the Palace as a residence and passed away in this palace on the 10th of November 1938 at 9:05 AM. All the clocks in the palace are stopped at this time. The palace has been designed with a plethora of delicate artwork yet somehow has a histrionic quality to it. You shouldn't miss this Palace if you are in Istanbul. Travel tip- The Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. It is open between 09:00 to 17:00. (Ticket office closes at 16:00)
Photo of Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Eminönü is the best place to know about the Byzantium Empire as ancient Byzantium was built on the areas roughly covered by Eminonu. With low population, it is one of the main tourist attractions of Istanbul. It is still a bustling city with the busiest ferry crossings for the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea. During the day you will welcomed by many merchants, hordes of shoppers and tourists. The night in the same place is quite the contrast as it with graced with peace and quiet, a little too quiet perhaps.
Photo of Eminönü, Fatih, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Eminönü, Fatih, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Eminönü, Fatih, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Eminönü, Fatih, Turkey by Erol Utgun
After the long tour at the Palace, it will be almost time for lunch. So head to the much heard of Historic Eminonu’s Fish-Bread. This is adjacent to Galata Bridge and near the New Mosque. At the stall the fish (mackerel) is directly grilled on the boat and then put in a half-bread together with some salad and onions. Simple food, delightful taste.
Photo of Historic Fish-Bread by Erol Utgun
If you don't have a history of sea sickness, after lunch get on the cruise Eminönü at 14.30. Popularly known as the Istanbul Strait, Bosphorus forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. It is recommended that you opt for Şehir Hatları which is Istanbul’s official ferry company. It offers the best Bosphorus tours and unlike some private ferries, won't exploit you. The Short Circle Bosphorus tour is tailor cut for anyone pressed for time. The ferry arrives at Ortaköy around 14:50 and then continue with a two hour non-stop amazing tour. The tour covers Kuleli- Military school in Istanbul, Ortaköy mosques and some medieval fortifications. This tour is to sit back, relax and appreciate the beauty that Istanbul is synonymous with. Travel tip- The price per person is 12 TL. This tour is available every day in summer time (April 1st until October 31st).
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun
Photo of Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul, Turkey by Erol Utgun