Istanbul : Rarely will visit to Turkey exclude the chaotic and glorious wonder that is Istanbul. Istanbul is home to layering of civilization on civilization of empire built on empire. It’s as momentous as Rome, as captivating as Paris and as exotic as Bangkok. It is all of the praises one can imagine while being simultaneously the opposite.
As the riches of Istanbul increase, urban modernization projects erase a past that - illustrated by the discovery of Theodosius’s port at present - day Yenikapi – threaten the historical record pretty much any time anyone puts a shovel to the ground.
And now to the necessary cliches : As the only city on earth to straddle two continents and literally the city of civilization’s desires. Istanbul is an enduring symbol of greatness. It has endured attempted or succesful conquests down the historic dateline by Xerxes, Darius, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Huns, the Crusaders, the Arab raiders and the Ottomans.In more recent centuries, Russia also had its eye on the prize of Istanbul, covetous of control of the Bosphorus Straits and free passage from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean and the trade routes beyond. Even today, hundreds of thousands of sometimes oversize and hazardous ships stream up and down this epic waterway as they make their way through the center of both a city and a nation.
The parade of civilizations converges on the historic peninsula, also known as Old Stamboul or the Old City. It is the capital of empires and a religious center, the heart of the Grek Orthodox Churc and for centuries the Islamic faith. Istanbul is the custodian of one of the world’s most opulent displays of art and wealth. A stroll through the neighborhoods that make up the historic peninsula will reveal the foundations of ancient Rome and Byzantium with gilded mosaics like those in the Ayasofya and St. Savior in Chora or the more modest peristyle (open court with porticos) of the Great Palace. The Otoman dynasty redirected the city’s fortunes into the imperial majesty of undulating domes and commanding minarets, and the sumptuous mystique of Topkapi and Dolmabahçe palaces. Fatih Mehmet II was himself astounded at the beauty of the city he had finally conquered and he as well as subsequent sultans fixated on replicating the symbolic splendor of the Ayasofya in what has become a panorama of monumental imperial mosques.
Across the Golden Horn is the modern heart of the city, heir to the future of the country, pulsating with all the electricity of a cutting - edge international metropolis. While the political capital of Ankara sits safely in the heartland, this part of Istanbul is Turkey’s center for art, entertainment, music, cuisine, education and yes, even international diplomacy. Meanwhile, in anticipation of its upcoming 2010 reigns as Cultural Capital of Europe, Istanbul is undergoing an unprecented frenzy of modernization.
Istanbul Tour 3 Tour Code : IDT103
Itinerary : Bosphorus Cruise with Chora Museum
Duration : 7 hours
Prices :
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Tour Plan :
Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market on the Golden Horn, and then board for your cruise of the Bosphorus by public ferry. Visit Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to prepare for his conquest of Istanbul. After lunch cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia and up to Camlica Hill, for a magnificent view of Istanbul. Return over the bridge back to Europe and old Istanbul. We will view the old Theodosian city walls and visit Kariye Church(Chora museum) with its 14th c mosaics and frescoes, depicting scenes from the Bible then on to Eyup Imperial Mosque and Tomb of the standard bearer of Mohammed. Cruise is done by public boat unless other arrangements are made.
Included :
| • Transfer from port and back | |
| • Transportation by a comfortable AC non smoking Luxurious car / Van with professional driver. | |
| • Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours. | |
| • Entry fees to the museums and sites. | |
| • Parking fees. |