Day 1 – UK to Istanbul

Scheduled flight to Istanbul – transfer with our tour manager in our private executive coach to the 4* Kent Hotel in central Istanbul.

Day 2 – Guided tour of Istanbul

Guided tour of the old city taking in the magnificent Byzantine Church of St Sophia, among the finest architectural works in the world, and the Blue Mosque, dating from the 17th century and a feature of the Istanbul skyline – the Underground Cistern was built in the 6th century and supplied water throughout the city during the Byzantine and Ottoman times – a driving tour of the Golden Horn and the great walls of Constantinople introduces us to the imperial history of the city.

Day 3 – Cruise the River Bosphorus

Optional cruise on the River Bosphorus – board the boat at Sariyer, a charming fishing village where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, giving a perfect vantage point to see the Sultan’s palaces and Rumeli Fortress – lunch and a visit to the Spice Bazaar also included.

Day 4 – Topkapi Palace & Covered Bazaar

Topkapi Palace, the former Palace of Ibrahim Pasa, is now a museum of the old Turkish way of life – with 60 alleyways and 3,000 shops in the heart of the city, the Covered Bazaar of Istanbul is the oldest and largest in the world – optional farewell meal at a carefully selected restaurant in Sultanahmet this evening.

Day 5 – Istanbul to UK

Transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight home.

Four nights on bed and breakfast basis at the centrally located 4* Kent Hotel. Located under a ten minute walk from the Grand Bazaar, facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and bar. All rooms are en suite.

Single room supplement £114

Insurance

Optional River Bosphorus cruise

Optional farewell dinner

Like this tour but want to change it to suit your group’s budget or preferences? You could:

• combine with stays in Kusadasi & Canakkale to visit Ephesus, Pergamon, Troy & Gallipoli
• visit Bursa on the slopes of Mount Olympus or Dolma Bahce Palace, the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire
• stay on half board basis
• with fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• bring your own specialist lecturer
• include all entrance fees and gratuities

Remember there will be cost consequences (either up or down) depending on your preferences but once we have we have sent you our initial offer, we can amend it as required by you until you have a tour with an itinerary and at a price which matches the interests and profile of your members.