 Whether you visit Istanbul for business
or pleasure - or even as a half-day shore excursion during a cruise - we
can supply private tour packages specifically tailored to your individual
requirements including accommodation, exclusive guides, and transportation
services.
Istanbul is the pulse of Turkey and the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
This captivating city of 14 million inhabitants features historical architecture,
rich museums, world-renowned religious sites, and fabulous shopping opportunities.
Whatever your taste and style, Istanbul is sure to enthrall.
 For
those with a gastronomic interest, Istanbul offers a superb choice of
dining options, from charming local taverns
to internationally celebrated five-star restaurants. Olive oil and
fresh vegetables play the starring role in Turkish cuisine which reflects
the
rich and varied cultures of the Mediterranean, including Greek, Armenian
and Lebanese. VTS can even arrange for a cooking lesson or two!
 Trade has been an integral part of the city since the 13th century B.C.
and remains so today. For those with a penchant for bargains, Istanbul is
a shoppers’ paradise. Follow your guide through the Nur-u Osmaniye
neighborhood and the bazaars, hunting for the best deals for the famed Turkish
rugs, folk art, jewelry, and more!
We take great pride in our ability to customize our programs to suit the
unique interests and needs of each client, and in offering special opportunities
not available to larger, scheduled tours.
Following are some suggested packages:
ISTANBUL TOURS
Treasures of Istanbul (ITT)
| Day 1 |
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport / docking at Karakoy Pier, meet
your
local guide and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
|
|
| Day 2 |
Having served as a capital for the East Roman Empire and later for
the
Ottoman Empire, Istanbul offers a wealth of historical buildings
and treasures from the past. Start your sightseeing from the Hippodrome Square
where thousands of Romans once cheered for factions of charioteers. Visit
the Blue Mosque whose interior is decorated with extraordinary turquoise-colored
tiles. Next is the Basilica of Saint Sophia, the oldest and the greatest Christian
Basilica dating back to the 6th century. A highlight of the city is the Topkapi
Palace, where the Ottoman sultans resided. You will see Treasury where you
cannot help but be dazzled by the glitter of the diamonds housed there. You
may also visit the Harem, the section of the palace where the royal family
once lived. Later in the afternoon, follow your guide through the famous Nur-U
Osmaniye neighborhood. Here you can mingle with the locals Turks in search
for bargains before heading off to the Grand Bazaar.
|
|
| Day 3 |
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Ataturk Airport /
Karakoy Pier.
|
Delights of Istanbul (ITD)
| Day 1 |
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport / docking at Karakoy Pier, meet
your
local guide and transfer to your hotel. Welcome to Istanbul, the great
metropolis where two continents meet.
|
|
| Day 2 |
This morning you will visit the Basilica of Saint Sophia which boasts
a
massive dome. The church was built in 6th century by Justinian the Great
who is also responsible for the Basilica Cisterns that are built underground
and feature 336 marble columns.
Follow your guide as you walk through along Soguk Cesme Sokagi, a
lovely side street lined with wooden houses, a reminder of life in
the 18th century. Continue to Topkapi Palace, where the Ottoman sultans
lived and ruled their empire. Today, this great museum complex features
the Treasury and Harem as well as a remarkable collection of royal
jewels. Following lunch at the Palace Restaurant, which overlooks the
blue waters of the Bosphorus, you will visit the Museum of Islamic
and Turkish Arts where you will gain a better appreciation of the artwork
you will see later in the Nuru Osmaniye district and at the Grand Bazaar.
|
|
| Day 3 |
Istanbul has always been a dynamic commercial center and nowhere is this
more evident than at the Spice Market where you will start today’s touring.
Here you can see a colorful profusion of spices brought from different parts
of the world and watch the lively trade – truly a feast for the senses!
Following the visit of the busy Spice Market, you will enjoy a relaxing Bosphorus
Cruise, sailing on the strait that divides Europe from Asia. As you glide
along, note the many 19th-century palaces and other beautiful properties adorning
its shores. Docking at the northern shores of the Bosphorus, partake in a
seafood lunch including a variety of delicious appetizers followed by fresh
fish from the Mediterranean. Later in the afternoon, you will be driven over
the Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian suburbs of Istanbul where you can visit
Beylerbeyi Palace, the one-time summer residence of Ottoman sultans. Conclude
your day of sightseeing at the palace gardens with a cup of traditional Turkish
coffee as you take in the panoramic view of the Old City of Istanbul.
|
|
| Day 4 |
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Ataturk Airport /
Karakoy Pier.
|
Shore Excursions of Istanbul for Cruise Travelers
| Half-day Program (SEI1) |
Meet your local guide at the Karakoy Pier and continue
on to the Old City of Istanbul, where you start your sightseeing with
the Blue Mosque. Tour the Basilica of Saint Sophia. Carry on to Nur-u
Osmaniye neighborhood and the Grand Bazaar where you will find myriad
bargains on folk art and jewelry. After some leisurely shopping, you
will be transferred to the Karakoy Pier.
|
|
| Half-day Program (SEI2) |
Meet your local guide at the Karakoy Pier, then head
to the Dolmabahce Palace. Built in the 19th century, this gorgeous
building still retains its original Ottoman décor including
furniture, paintings, rugs and the pianos given as gifts from the Emperor
Napoleon. Next, you are transferred to the Beyoglu neighborhood and
begin a walking tour. This district is a fine example of the European
architecture and social life that existed in Istanbul in the early
19th century. Conclude your walking tour with a coffee break at the
famous Pera Palace hotel where famous passengers of the Orient Express,
including Agatha Christie and Mata Hari, were accommodated. Transfer
to the Karakoy Pier.
|
|
| Full-day Program (SEI3) |
Meet your local guide at the Karakoy Pier, then transfer
to the Old City of Istanbul. Tour the Hippodrome Square and the Blue
Mosque, famed for its beautiful tiles. Visit the Topkapi Palace and
see the Treasury which houses the celebrated Topkapi Dagger. Head to
the Basilica of Saint Sophia whose enormous dome decorates the skyline
of Istanbul. You will also visit the Basilica Cisterns which feature
impressive colonnades of marble pillars. Continue to the Nuru Osmaniye
neighborhood and the Grand Bazaar. After hunting for (and finding!)
bargains, you will be transferred to the Karakoy Pier.
|
|
| Full-day Program (SEI4) |
Meet you local guide at the Karakoy Pier then transfer
to the colorful Spice Market where you’ll have a chance to learn
about the exotic oriental spices and fruits sold there. Next, transfer
to the port where you join a boat cruise on the Bosphorus. Leisurely
glide between two continents before docking at the shores of the Asian
suburbs of Istanbul where you will be joined by your driver. Enjoy
a scenic drive over the Bosphorus Bridge to the Galata district where
you can visit the Galata Tower. From here you can take in the breathtaking
skyline of Istanbul, adorned with glittering domes and minarets. Head
on to Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque and see its massive dome of the
16th century. Conclude your day in Istanbul with the excitement of
hunting for bargains at the Nuru Osmaniye district and the Grand Bazaar.
|
Images of Istanbul and
History
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Sunset over the Old City of Istanbul. |
Interior of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
Inner courtyard of an apartment building
in Pera, Istanbul. |
Café Marquis on Istiklal Street,
Istanbul. |
Click
here to see more..
* Please note that these are merely suggested itineraries.
We are happy to personalize the shore excursions to match the preferences
and interests of the clients.
|
