HIGHLIGHTS OF EURO ASIA

Upon Arrival at Istanbul Airport, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul city which is the largest city of not only Türkiye but also in entire Europe and West Asia with almost 20 million population.
The sequence of the visits might change, depending on the weather, opening & closing times of the museums and mosques.
On our days in Istanbul, you can decide to have your lunch on your own near the sites, not to lose time or you can just have a snack or skip the lunch if you plan to have a big rewarding dinner after full day tour.

• Dinner: On own
• Overnight stay in Istanbul

Breakfast: At the hotel

We will have the welcome briefing at the hotel and start our day with the visit of Hagia Sophia which was the central Patriarchal Church of the Christendom for almost 700 years till the seventh Ecumenical council and the biggest church for 900 years in the world since the 6th century A.D. till the 15th century.

Then it was surpassed by the Church of Paul in London, Church of Peter in Rome and Cathedral of Duomo in Milan in terms of the size. Upon the conquest of the city by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II., it was converted into a mosque and remained a mosque till 1935. Although used as a Museum in the first century of Republic of Türkiye, since July 2020, it’s ground floor functions as mosque praying section and the upper gallery in the inside the structure is museum. Its contemporary name is Ayasofya Camii; The Mosque of Hagia Sophia.

After enjoying this magnificent unique structure, we will visit the location of Hippodrome where once the Chariot Races were held and in Ottoman Era used as cavalry and archery training center for army, in seventeenth century turned into public square; At Meydanı; the Horse Square; linked with its past. Today there remain thousands of years old structures.

Afterwards we can visit the Basilica Cistern which was the largest underground water reservoir from the 6th century, holding 97000 cubic meter water inside till the 18th century. It’s been restored and reinforced against earthquake numerous times since 1967 and last restoration was from July 2022, opens its doors for visits every morning.

After some break for lunch on our own, we can visit Kariye Mosque in Edirnekapı which was initially a church in Eastern Roman Empire and in the first Ottoman century of the city, but converted into a mosque in the 16th century. However it always retained its wonderful unique 14th century mosaic panels which are still visible and well kept, as beautiful as the ones in Hagia Sophia.

Rest of the late afternoon is free for having some rest till we meet up at the lobby for our welcome dinner.

• Dinner: Included Welcome dinner in a local restaurant
  
• Overnight stay in Istanbul

Breakfast: At the hotel

Our tour begins with the visit of Topkapı Palace which was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and residence of the Sultan for 378 years between 1478 and 1856.

After the palace, we continue our day with Eminönü district (perhaps before or after arriving at this district we can have our lunch which is on own) within the borders of the old town to embark our boat for the Bosphorus Cruise to enjoy the scenic view of the Bosphorus Strait, Europe and Asia sides of the city Istanbul.

Our Cruise will end at the same district so we can have access to Rüstem Pasha Mosque which is the peak of the Medieval Age Ottoman Tile Art and then Spice Market with a short leisurely walk and enjoy some free Turkish delight tasting along with some tea.

• Dinner: On own
• Overnight stay in Istanbul

Breakfast: At the hotel

Today we start our tour with the visit of Dolmabahçe Palace which was the new European style Ottoman Imperial Palace and used as the new administrative center of the empire, along with its residence building for the Sultans and their family members till 1922; the year of abolishment of the Sultanate.

In the first decades of the republic, here was used for administrative and governmental conferences, their bureaucratic works and residence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (Founder of Türkiye) in the last few months of his life till 10th of November 1938. For over 60 years it is a museum.

After the palace we can move on to the Blue Mosque which is the largest Mosque in Europe and the biggest mosque in Ottoman Empire; built by young Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I, therefore named after him; Sultanahmet Mosque. Because of over 20000 small tile pieces inside, it is named as Blue Mosque by the Westerners.

After having our lunch (included) at Sultanahmet neighborhood, we can continue to The Grand Bazaar which is the largest Medieval indoor shopping mall with its over 3500 shops inside, selling many different souvenirs.

Before we end our trip we can see also Süleymaniye; The Ottoman Imperial Mosque which was built by and named after Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent so you can appreciate the different imperial mosque structures.

• Dinner: On own
• Overnight stay in Istanbul

Breakfast: At the Hotel

After breakfast we depart from our hotel for our 6 hour long bus journey to Ankara which is the capital city of Türkiye since 1923 and ever since then has become the cultural and political center of Türkiye.

We can have our lunch which is not included on the way and upon arrival at the city, we can see the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye.

Then we will explore downtown Ankara, visit the ruins of the Roman age Ankara; the major site from this era is Roman Baths. After this visit we will be checking into our hotel.

• Dinner: Included
• Overnight stay in Ankara city