Day 1:

Once you have arrived at the airport in Istanbul, gone through Customs and claimed your luggage, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city. Check-in time is 2:00pm, leaving the remainder of the day to do as you please. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might shop or dine earby before spending the evening at your hotel.

Day 2:

Today, 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, 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 return to the hotel for the evening. Dinner is on your own.

Day 3:

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, 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 drive to the pier and embark the ship.
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general
reference purposes and subject to change.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space
released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through us, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your
hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own
until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for
occupation until approximately 2:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

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)
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 and guests would be notified in advance of travel.
Program includes:
Two nights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar (Club Level Room)
Transfers
Two full-day tours as described above
Two local lunches with soft drinks
Not included:
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
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.