Day 1:

After disembarking the ship, you will visit the true icons of Istanbul, the must-sees that define the city,
beginning with the phenomenal Blue Mosque. One of the few mosques with six minarets, the Blue
Mosque was constructed in the early 17th century under the direction of Sultan Ahmet I, who was only
19 years old at the time. The exterior of the mosque is notable for its cascade of domes that seem to spill
down from the central dome. Inside, the ceiling is lined with the 20,000 blue tiles for which the mosque
is named.

The Hippodrome is also here, partially excavated to reveal some of the seats, columns, statues and
obelisks that were once part of this arena. Chariot races, coronations and parades all took place at the
Hippodrome, which first appeared in 203 A.D. About 130 years later, Constantine the Great expanded
and reshaped the arena so it could hold approximately 100,000 spectators.

Then, it’s on to the 15th-Century Topkapi Palace, which was expanded under the reign of almost every
sultan over the next 400 years. Today, it’s a maze of lavishly decorated buildings and courtyards that
reflect its most glorious years as the political center of the Ottoman Empire.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, you will see the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and
Ottoman mosque that is now a museum. Although the earliest two versions were destroyed, this Hagia
Sophia dates from 537 A.D., and is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as
Istanbul’s principal mosque for nearly 500 years and became a model for the Blue Mosque.

You will also have the opportunity to browse through the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest
and the oldest covered market place. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an absolutely amazing
range of merchandise. Jewelry, carpets, antiques, old coins, furniture, prayer beads and copperware are
only a few of the items in the bazaar, which has been operating since the 15th Century.
Afterwards, you will spend the evening at your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Day 2:

After departing from the hotel, you will enjoy a brief but enlightening tour of Istanbul on the way to the
Chora Museum. Like the Hagia Sophia, it was first a church, then a mosque and is now a museum.
However, Byzantine mosaics are its most significant feature. Most of them describe the life of Jesus
Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the colors are still vivid despite being centuries old.

Following the Chora Museum, you will visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1561 and has
since survived fires and earthquakes. Thousands of brightly colored Iznik tiles are the allure here. They
are all original 16th-century pieces of art and cover the walls, columns and niches, lending the interior a
spectacularly serene ambiance.

In contrast, you will then tour the Spice Market, a locale so energetic and bustling that it’s difficult to
know where to look first. Aromas waft through the air, the cacophonous sounds are constant, and it’s
always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices. In a word, it’s wonderful.
Finally, after lunch, you will embark on a boat for a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus, the famed strait
that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and perhaps even more important serves as a
boundary between Europe to the west and Asia to the east. Passing palaces, wooden mansions and even
modern villas along the way, you will experience Istanbul from an entirely different perspective, one
you’ll never forget.

Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for the evening.

Day 3:

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have until 12:00 noon to check out. Your transfer to the
Istanbul Ataturk airport will be arranged according to your flight time.

Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are
approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

Please note:
The museums are closed on certain days and substitutions will apply as follows:

1. Topkapi Palace: closed on Tuesdays; Beylerbeyi Palace visit substituted.
2. Hagia Sophia Museum: closed on Mondays; Chora Museum visit substituted.
3. Chora Museum: closed on Wednesdays; Hagia Sophia Museum or Archaeological Museum visit
   substituted.
4. Grand Bazaar: closed on Sundays (no substitution)

Should sites be closed on a day that you are scheduled to visit, alternate sites will be visited and if
possible, the original site will be seen on the other day. Order of the sites visited may change to avoid
overcrowding at the sites.

Accommodations:
Intercontinental Hotel Istanbul
Gümüssuyu Mahallesi, Asker Ocagi Caddesi No:1, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 368 44 44
We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If similar hotels are required, they will
be of equal ratings and standards.

Standard Program Includes:
2 overnights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel including breakfast (Club Level Room)
All group transfers
Two full-day tours as described above
Two local lunches with soft drinks

Not included:
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Meals and beverages not listed above

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and
prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels.
However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces
which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need
to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns
are advised to check with us in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered
suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat,
comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date.
Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a
scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.