The trip starts in the morning in TAKSIM SQUARE. This modern heart of Istanbul is situated in the European part of Istanbul. A stroll down the cosmopolitan ISTIKLAL AVENUE will transfer you back to the European face of Ottoman period Constantinople. The Avenue is surrounded by late Ottoman era buildings. This is the best spot to kick-start your journey if history is what you are looking for. Historical consulate buildings which are embassies before 1923 of several nations, including France, Greece, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are lined alongside the street. The finesse in the architecture of the old buildings around here add to the European look of the place.
Moving along the tallest structure in the city for centuries, GALATA TOWER will give us a panoramic view of the Old City, Golden Horn and Bosphorus. This edifice is truly one with brilliant architectural virtuosity. Also, make sure you ride in the Historical Finicular "TUNEL" before you leave the city.
You can have lunch in a restaurant offering Turkish cuisine. But, better than this is to have HISTORIC FISH-BREAD in Eminönü. Great fast food, just sit on a stool and enjoy the taste.
After lunch, get on the cruise from Eminönü and set sail alongside the shores of the BOSPHORUS. After Mid 19th century Ottoman Empire has been ruled from the Imperial Palaces built alongside the shores of this waterway. The beautiful landscape and ancient structures will guarantee this to be the most unforgettable cruise tour you've been on. The camaraderie between the Cruise and the Turkish tea is a divine experience.
End this long day with some shopping in one of the largest markets in the medieval world is the SPICE BAZAAR. This qualifies as a mini food-tour in itself. If you are looking for edible souvenirs, this is where you need to be. From spices, nuts, honey to henna, potions, lotions, this bustling marketplace have it all. Don't forget to buy your share of delightful Turkish coffee. Istanbul is an insurmountable land to cover in a day's time. Not staying here longer will only resonate a sense of melancholy in your heart and that is when you'll realize that you've already fallen in love with this city.
The trip includes:
A private guide
Extra for:
Galata Tower Admission fee: 19 TL (Per Person)
Nostalgic Subway: 4 TL (Per Person)
Cruise Fee: 12 TL (Per Person)
Lunch: Historic Fish-Bread plus a drink in Eminönü will cost around 15 TL
The tour starts around 9.00 in the morning in Taksim Square. This square is famed for its array of restaurants, shops, and hotels. If you love shopping, you'll enjoy Taksim Square. Not just this, the Square also houses the Monument of the Republic inaugurated in 1928. You can also see the nostalgic tram that runs from the square along the avenue.
Move along one of the most elegant pedestrian streets- İstiklal Avenue. This is one of the most lively spots in the city as the cobblestone street houses boutiques, music stores, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, cafés, pubs, restaurants and many more places for you to explore. You shouldn't miss this place if you want to see the Ottoman era buildings and their Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic styles of design.
The Tünel is a short underground railway line in Istanbul. The first of two funiculars is the Tunel, which started its surface in 1875 and is the oldest railway in Europe. You will be travelling in what was the second underground rail line, after the London Underground, built in 1875!
Walking further across the Galata bridge you will see the Galata Tower. The tower was built as Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) in 1348 during an expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. This is is a medieval stone tower in the Galata. Built as watchtower to help protect the city especially by spotting fires, this still remains as one of the dominating structures in the city. The cone-capped cylinder dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic vista of Istanbul. The view from the top is completely breathtaking from every angle. Seeing some of the more modern structures from the top makes one realize how diverse this old city of Istanbul is.
After the tour of the museum, 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, simply delightful taste.
After lunch, start the cruise from Eminönü at 14.30pm. Popularly known as the Istanbul Strait, Bosphorus forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. I’d suggest you opt for Şehir Hatları which is Istanbul’s official ferry company. It offers the best Bosphorus tours. The Short Circle Bosphorus tour was tailor-made for those pressed for time. The ferry arrives at Ortaköy around 14:50 and then continue with a two hour non-stop amazing tour. You can see the Ortakoy mosque, Kuleli- A military school, medieval fortifications and imperial palaces of Dolmabahce Palace and Ciragan Palace, located on the European shore while summer palace Beylerbeyl on Asia. This tour is to sit back, relax and appreciate the beauty that Istanbul is synonymous with.
End this day at Istanbul at a place where fresh aroma of all the exotic spices will entice you to go deeper into the heart of this bustling market. It is no surprise that this is one of the largest bazaars in the city. This place is a pure celebration of local life. This 17th-century Bazaar is open seven days a week. The synchronized aroma from coffee to fresh fish blends in a way you cannot imagine. This is the best place to pick up dried fruits and nuts, spices, olives, Turkish delight, honeycomb and many more items.
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