ISTANBUL – BOSPHORUS – PRINCES' ISLANDS
Programme
5 days – Departures: 13/11, 25/11, 16/12
1 Day 1Athens – Istanbul
Athens – Istanbul
Kadıköy – Ancient Chalcedon – Saint Euphemia Departure from El. Venizelos. Arrival in Istanbul (Asian side), meeting with our local Greek-speaking tour escort/guide. Taking the coastal road, a spectacular route unfolds before us. The time is ideal for passing by bus through the Baghdad road and then walking through the picturesque narrow streets of Kadıköy, Ancient Chalcedon, in the spice-vegetable-traditional products market with a thousand colors, in the church where the Ecumenical Synod for Monophysitism took place and the miracle of Saint Euphemia occurred. Immediately after, we will board the boat heading to the European side of Istanbul, crossing the two continents from Asia to Europe! Transfer to our hotel. Check-in to the rooms and overnight stay.
2 Day 2Istanbul
Free day Breakfast and free day. Today you can visit Örtaköy and Yıldız Park (Star Park). In one of the most beautiful and greenest gardens of Istanbul, away from the city's noise, you can enjoy Turkish tea in one of the traditional kiosks with a view of the Bosphorus. You will explore the narrow streets with outdoor bazaars and try the famous kumpir (stuffed potato) in the square. Your visit will be elevated by a walk on the beach, admiring the Örtaköy Mosque with the Bosphorus Bridge as a backdrop. Overnight stay.
3 Day 3Istanbul
Guided Tour of the Old City (Saint Sophia, Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, Byzantine Aqueduct) – Covered Market – Bosphorus Cruise – Lunch at a local restaurant Breakfast and we start our walking guided tour in the Pera area. We go downhill for the Bosphorus cruise. Immediately after, departure for a guided tour of the most important sights of the City. We will start our guided tour of the Old City from the largest monument of Hellenism and Christianity, Saint Sophia. Next, we will visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the legendary Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) and the Byzantine Aqueduct of Justinian. After the guided tour, lunch at a local restaurant, to try the popular food cooked in a stone oven and in clay dishes, offering an excellent presentation served at your table. The combination of fire, stone oven, and ceramics elevates the taste of the food. Our day will end with a visit to the impressive Covered Market (Kapali Carsi) with its 5,000 shops for you to do your shopping. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
4 Day 4Istanbul
Dolma Bachet Tour – Princess (Halki – Prince) – Lunch at the Prince After breakfast, departure for a tour of the famous by Dolma Bachet. Immediately after Kabatas we will board a boat to visit the Princesses. HALKY With the famous Theological School and the Holy Trinity Monastery on the Hill of Hope. Lunch at a local beach restaurant. Return to the city at our hotel. For the evening we recommend fun in a traditional night centre with live orchestra and traditional belly dances (oriental).
5 Day 5Istanbul – Athens
Patriarchate – Panagia Vlachernon – Baloukli – Monastery of the Chora After breakfast, visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener, Panagia of Vlachernon, Baloukli (Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi) which is connected to the legends about the half-roasted fish and the fall of the City. Then, we will visit the Monastery of the Chora. The Monastery of the Chora is one of the most important Byzantine monuments of Istanbul. It is famous for its excellent mosaics and frescoes, which are masterpieces of late Byzantine art and depict scenes from the life of Christ and Panagia. Today it is known as Kariye Mosque and has changed use over time, from monastery to museum and then to mosque. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Athens.
What’s included
Included
- Air tickets in economy class Athens–Istanbul–Athens with AEGEAN AIRLINES
- Luggage as follows: 23 kg and carry-on bag 8 kg per person
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Full-day trip to the noble Prinkipo and Chalki with the renowned Theological School and the Holy Monastery of Saint Trinity on the Hill of Hope
- Guided tour of the old town Agia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, Byzantine Aqueduct
- Cruise on the famous Bosphorus
- Visit to Panagia Baloukliotissa
- Visit to the Monastery of Chora
- Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate
- Visit to Panagia of Blachernae
- Guided tour on the Asian side (Kantikioi and Chalcedon) and visit to the Covered Market (Capali Carsi)
- Four overnight stays with breakfast at the hotel of your choice
- 1 lunch in Prinkipo
- 1 lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Old Town
- Boat tickets for the Princes' Islands
- Boat tickets for the Bosphorus
- Wi-fi provision in all the aforementioned hotels
- Local Greek-speaking tour escort/guide
- Travel insurance with coverage for: hospitalization, medical treatment, trip cancellation compensation, etc.
- Civil liability insurance
Not included
- Airport taxes and fuel surcharges 165€
- Optional EXTRA II insurance of Interamerican with coverage for COVID-19: 25€ per person
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the included services
- Tips, porterage
Notes
Flights:
13/11, 25/11, 16/12
- ATHENS-ISTANBUL (IST) 08:05 – 10:35
- ISTANBUL (IST)-ATHENS 22:00 – 22:25
Note:
- For the best execution of the program, the flow can be differentiated without omitting anything
- Discount for child up to 12 years old in a room with two adults -30€
- Flight times are local
- Byzantine Aqueduct 25€
- Dolma Bahçe 48€
- Aya Sofia (Women's Section) 25€
- Monastery of the Chora 20€
- Electric carriage for ascent to the Theological School in Chalki (150 Turkish liras)
Seats are limited
Book your seat
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