Imperial Traces of Istanbul – Private Guided Signature Tour
Description
Voyager of Istanbul tour which will enhance your point of view of Ottomans vs Byzantines. It's not only a tour from the past but also an outlook on the future and experience in Grand baazar in istanbul. •Hippodrome where Romans used to organize chariot races and gladiators' fights with its remaining Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column and German Fountain. •Visit the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque due to its magnificent interior decoration of royal Iznik tiles • Face the highlight of the earth, St. Sophia, built in 537 A. D. - unlike any other construction in the globe-. • See Topkapi Palace where the great empire was ruled •See Underground Cistern where Dan Brown's book ''INFERNO '' ended up. •Finalize the day at the famous Grand Bazaar with 4000 shops. • Get the personalized experience of a private tour • Take your Photos as remarkable memory
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, was an ancient chariot racing stadium and a major social center of the Byzantine Empire. Built by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in the early 3rd century and later expanded by Emperor Constantine I, it could hold tens of thousands of spectators. Though much of the original structure is no longer visible, several historical monuments remain: - **The Obelisk of Theodosius**: A 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius I. - **The Serpent Column**: Originally from Delphi, Greece, this bronze column commemorates a Greek victory over the Persians. - **The Walled Obelisk**: A less ornate stone obelisk built during the reign of Constantine VII. The Hippodrome was not only a place for races but also for political events and gatherings, making it a key hub in Byzantine social and political life.
The Basilica Cistern, located in Istanbul, is an ancient underground water storage facility built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century. It is famous for its grand, cathedral-like architecture with 336 marble columns, arranged in 12 rows, that support the ceiling. The dimly lit, atmospheric space has vaulted ceilings and is partially filled with water, reflecting the columns beautifully. Two of the columns feature Medusa heads as their bases, adding a mysterious element to the cistern's allure.
Topkapi Palace was the primary residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Built by Sultan Mehmed II after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the palace sits on a promontory with stunning views over the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. Key features of the palace include: - **The Imperial Gate**: The grand entrance leading to the First Courtyard. - **The Harem**: A private section where the sultan's family and concubines lived, featuring intricately decorated rooms. - **The Treasury**: Housing a collection of precious items, including the famous Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond. - **The Sacred Relics**: Artifacts of religious significance, including items attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. The palace is a sprawling complex of courtyards, pavilions, and gardens, showcasing Ottoman architecture, art, and culture. Today, it is a museum and one of Istanbul's most visited historical sites.
Hagia Sophia, originally built as a cathedral in Constantinople is one of the most iconic architectural achievements in history. Constructed between 532 and 537 AD under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was the world's largest building and an engineering marvel of its time. The structure has a rich and layered history. It was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral for almost 1,000 years, converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, and then turned into a museum in 1935. In 2020, Hagia Sophia was reconverted into a mosque, although it still retains its status as a cultural and historical monument, welcoming people from all over the world. Hagia Sophia's architecture combines elements of both Christian and Islamic art and design. Inside, it features intricate mosaics, marble pillars, and large calligraphic panels added during the Ottoman era. it remains a symbol of harmony between cultures and religions.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, located in Istanbul, Turkey. Established in the 15th century, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, it spans over 30,000 square meters and contains more than 4,000 shops. The bazaar is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, with a labyrinth of streets and alleys lined with stalls selling everything from carpets and textiles to jewelry, ceramics, and spices. Its architectural design reflects Ottoman aesthetics, featuring domed roofs, arched passages, and intricate tile work. The Grand Bazaar is not only a major tourist attraction but also a vital part of Istanbul’s commercial and cultural life, offering a glimpse into the city's rich history and vibrant traditions.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is a historic mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is known for its stunning architecture, with its six minarets and beautiful blue tiles adorning the interior, which give it the nickname "Blue Mosque." It is a popular tourist attraction and a significant symbol of Istanbul's skyline.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(20)
Had a lovely day, our guide Mustafa was excellent and also made the day fun! I highly recommend booking this tour and requesting Mustafa as your guide!
Mustafa was an excellent personal guide! From the very beginning he contacted me directly the day prior to the tour to introduce him and specify a meeting point. In addition, he provided photos and video of the specific path from the terminal to the location which was only about a 2 min walk from the terminal. The car was very clean and we discussed the itinerary in advance. Based on his experience, he recommended an order which differed from the one the online to help us avoid extended wait time queues in the sun. This worked out excellent as there were little to no waits at the many sites we visited. During each site visit he provided much history and invited as many questions as we had. He tailored the tour specific to our needs and when we mentioned we'd like to eat, he took us to a nearby restaurant with excellent food. Additionally to the scheduled events, my wife got to try some pottery and made a made a small bowl out of clay. Lastly on our tour, we arrived at the Grand Bazaar and was afforded as much time as we wanted to shop and had a prearranged time/place to meet which also worked out very well. When we wanted to try some Turkish delights he escorted us into the bazaar to one where enjoyed unending samples and purchased a few boxes to take back. We ended the tour a bit early as my wife and we tired and he promptly returned us to the cruise terminal and escorted right back inside through the security gates to make sure we arrived where we needed to.
It was a very good tour and Mustofa was excellent and we enjoyed the tour... I would recomend him and the tour...our driver was great....
Our guide Mustafa(Jack) was excellent! Couldn’t have asked for more. Knowledgeable, answered all our questions from history to culture and politics. He took such good care of us- making sure we didn’t get lost and working with our priorities. Thanks so much. Ask for him if you can!
Mustafa took us on our walking tour and was very informative and used our time effectively and efficiently. Leisurely lunch with fabulous views were appreciated.
We had a wonderful time at our own pass. The guide was very informative and helpful. The only suggestion we have is that when we book it would be helpful to know how much cash we should bring for the cash only venues. It worked out fine with our credit cards. The guide was wonderful and we would recommend him to our family and friends.
We had an absolutely outstanding day with our guide, Mustafa (“Jack”). From the moment he picked us up at our hotel right on time until the end of the tour, everything was simply perfect. What makes Mustafa so special is not only his incredible knowledge of Istanbul’s history, culture and traditions, but above all his warm, friendly and genuine personality. Within a very short time, it felt as if we had known him for years. He also took us to several hidden gems and lesser-known places that we would never have discovered on our own. Those unique stops made the experience even more memorable. Lunch was another highlight. He brought us to a fantastic restaurant with breathtaking views and excellent food. Every detail of the day was thoughtfully planned. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, professional and incredibly likeable guide who goes above and beyond to make your visit unforgettable, we can recommend Mustafa without hesitation. Without a doubt, one of the best tour guides we have ever had. Thank you, Mustafa, we will remember this day for a very long time!
Resul was very engaging, knowledgable and his guiding was interesting. He is happy to answer any questions and he is passionate about his job. We would very much recommend him.,
GUİDE Mehmet was incredibly knowledgeable and personal. He showered the all historical landmarks and created the shopping part as I wanted. Definitely book this tour and ask for mehmet.
It was the only tour I found that included a visit to Topkapi, which is huge and potentially overwhelming. It was great to have our guide to take us through everything more efficiently and tailored to us. This is true for the whole tour. Yaseen was a perfect fit for us. He focused on the things that were important to us instead of telling us everything about anything. Being a private tour was also worth it, Yaseen rearranged the itinerary so that we could include doing our afternoon prayer with the congregation at Hagia Sophia. In general there is some walking, but it was not taxing at all. We liked that the company was clear in the posting that there would be an additional cost for admission for some of the sites, so no surprise there. And we could pick which ones we actually wanted to tour in detail and which were good enough as a passby - Yaseen still was able to give us very interesting information even though we did go into everything. Yaseen made this one of the best tours we've ever been on.
