Istanbul Highlights – Skip-the-Line Full-Day Old City Experience

I have been a satisfied client for several years and I was highly anticipating a seamless all inclusive one day in Istanbul trip. The cost was $165.78 and I was told that it would include hotel pick up and drop off, skip the line ( there is no such a thing at the Blue Mosque) that Hagia Sophia is closed on Monday and that the cistern tour would be a substitute. As it turned out the Hagia Sophia was open and the long line prevented me from joining my tour, so I sat outside until my fellow tour members returned. I had read previous reports of customers who had been told they would be picked up at their hotel on this itinerary and were told at the last minute that they would need to make their own way to the meeting point. I received confirmation that my hotel pick up would be at 8 am before the day of the tour. At 3 pm the day before the trip, I arrived at the hotel and was sent a text by the local operator that I would not be picked up that I was to make my own way to the restaurant pick up point. I phoned Omer the local operator and was told they he would not pick me up, we texted on 6 occasions, the hotel tried to call and I also tried to call. I finally reached him on the phone and after an hour Omer said he would pick me up first thing in the morning. I met an English couple on the bus who had the same experience - they were told they would be picked up as well at their hotel. The tour guide was not engaging or polite, and he engaged in a minimal fashion with the English speaking clients. The Grand Bazaar was 10 minutes on our own, no visit to the Spice Bazaar was allowed. The restaurant was a tour operators choice, fixed 2 course, the "fashion show" was not appropriate with our group. It was simply another vendor that Viator chose to use for their mutual benefit, this was not how I wanted to spend my time, shopping in a high end store. At the end of the tour, I was dropped off at a metro stop left to my own devices. I asked repeatedly if they could drop me off closer to my hotel as there were many hotels listed. I would not recommend this tour and the breakdown in communication was clearly between Viator and the local tour operator, leaving the client at their mercy. Given that this was my only day in Istanbul, at the end of my trip, it was not a positive memory for me.

The visit to Sofia Hagia Mosque was full of history and the guide knew its history which made the mosque more interesting.

We stayed at the Rast Hotel, and the staff there are just wonderful. The hotel is old, but very clean and well managed. In the best location for visiting all the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Theodorius Cistern , the Grand Bazaar and many more wonderful places. I totally recommend having a Hammam. We were all a bit apprehensive, but just the most wonderful experience. I have to also personally thank Sevki, who worked in the cafe at the Rast Hotel, She made our breakfast each day so enjoyable. So friendly, happy and alway up for a chat with us. xxxx Wilma xx