Istanbul

FRIDAY, JULY 2	BOSPHORUS
Spice Market
New Mosque
Dolmabahce Palace The Dolmabahce Palace was built between 1843 and 1856 when the Ottoman Empire was losing its power. This superb palace displays the richness and power that the Sultans had. It has 248 rooms, 43 entrance halls, 6 Turkish baths and approximately 2.700 windows. It is divided into two sections: the official part - where the sultan would receive distinguished guests from all over the world and the Harem - where the Sultan's wife, mother and concubines lived.	The Clock Tower The Main Palace The Crystal Staircase The Harem
BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia . The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace , and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yıldız Palace . On the coastal edge of this park, is Çırağan Palace , 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.	The City Walls The Summer Palace

SATURDAY, JULY 3	OLD ISTANBUL : BYZANTINE and OTTOMAN
Grand Bazaar The Grand Bazaar, is probably the largest market of its kind in the world, It was originally founded by Mehmet II in 1461. The bazaar was enlarged during the reign of Suleyman I in 1701. There are more than 3500 shops of various kinds, storehouses, workshops, stalls, restaurants, lunch counters, cafes and teahouses, mosques, mescid and fountains. There are a total of 65 streets totaling 30.702 m², altogether employing more than 20.000 people.
Suleymaniye Mosque The mosque of Sultan Suleyman "The Magnificent" built in the 16th century by Sinan, the famous architect of all times.
Enjoy a coffee atop Pierre Loti Hill in Eyup, alongside a spectacular view of the Golden Horn .

SUNDAY, JULY 4	OLD ISTANBUL : BYZANTINE and OTTOMAN
Byzantine Hippodrome (Obelisk) Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history as well. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 390 AD.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul . Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets.
Hagia Sophia The magnificent Byzantine Church of all times; one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world. It has been nominated to be the 8th wonder of the world by many historians.
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irini Topkapi Palace: Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860), a period of nearly four centuries. Hagia Eirene: Haghia Eirene, one of the oldest churches in Constantinople and the church of the patriarchate prior to Haghia Sophia. Haghia Eirene is the only Byzantine church in Istanbul with its atrium intact.	The Harem
Sunken Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) Remember the scene in the old James Bond movie *From Russia With Love* when Bond is rowing in a small boat through a forest of marble columns? That scene was filmed in Yerebatan.

TUESDAY, JULY 6	GRANDE RUE DE PERA
Galata Tower Originally known as the Tower of Christ, it was erected during the first expansion of the Genoese colony in 1348 in order to defend them more adequately. Mehmet II took the tower from the Genoese. The tower was used as a weather observatory during the reign of Murat III 1514-1595. Best views of the city from the tower.
Walk/tram to Istiklal Caddesi Tunel Square. The large building directly opposite is the entrance to the worlds second oldest underground metro service, fondly named Tunel, and the first and shortest one in Istanbul, built in 1875 by the French. Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the heart of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century. Pera Palace, where Agatha Christie wrote "Murder on the Orient Express" and international spies, including Mata Hari met to conspire and the pre-war guest list reads like "Who's Who in Europe." Aznavur (Istikal Caddesi 216) is a trendy mall with reasonable prices. Merchandise on offer includes mystical books, silver jewellery, dream catchers, antique clothing.
Çiçek Pasaji, Istiklal Caddesi 172, is a long narrow courtyard within a historic building. The courtyard is lined with restaurants Balik Pazari (Fish Market) A wild passageway pinned with small fast-food eateries, fresh fish and vegetable market stalls, a sprinkling of other arbitrary shops and thronging with passers-by.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7	FROM EUROPE TO ASIA
Kiz Kulesi – Continue touring Lender's Tower (Maiden’s Tower) stands on a tiny island at the entrance of The Bosphorus. According to the Turkish legend, the sultan had this tower built in order to secure his daughter from a prophecy that she would die from the poison of a serpent. The princess was eventually bitten by a poisonous serpent, smuggled out to the islet in a basket of grapes. In the West European version, Lander drowned there in his attempt to swim the strait to see his lover, Hera.