About the trip
Experience the best of Istanbul on a memorable 4-day journey combining the city's historic landmarks with the peaceful beauty of the Princes' Islands. Explore the historic Old City with visits and photo stops at Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Continue your journey with a scenic ferry ride to Buyukada, the largest of the Princes' Islands, where charming Ottoman houses, Victorian summer villas and a relaxing seaside atmosphere await. With daily departures, guaranteed departure from a minimum of 2 guests, and small-group city tours with a maximum of 8 guests, this itinerary offers a wonderful introduction to Istanbul and one of its favourite summer retreats.
Meals
3 Breakfast & 2 Lunches
Max. Group Size
8
Guide Languages
English
Highlights
- Enjoy comfortable accommodation for 3 nights in Istanbul at the selected hotel
- Savor daily breakfasts and delicious lunches at key points along the journey, as per the itinerary
- Enjoy private transfers throughout the trip, from airport arrival and departure to all excursions
- Take a scenic ferry journey to Buyukada (Big Island), the largest of the Princes' Islands
- Receive a welcome package with tour vouchers, an Istanbul map and tourist information
- Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Istanbul's historic Old City
- Marvel at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, an iconic landmark celebrated for its remarkable Byzantine architecture
- Discover the historic Byzantine Hippodrome, where thrilling chariot races once captivated ancient Istanbul
- Visit the magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and grand architecture
- Admire Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans, reflecting the grandeur of a bygone era
- Wander through the vibrant lanes of the Grand Bazaar, Turkey's largest covered market with around 4,000 shops
- Sail past the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque during a scenic ferry journey
- Explore Buyukada's lavish Ottoman mansions and charming Victorian summer villas
- Unwind in the peaceful, timeless atmosphere of Buyukada, one of Istanbul's most cherished summer retreats
Meals
3 Breakfast & 2 Lunches
Accommodation
Four Sides Taksim Lion Hotel&Spa or Similar
3 nights in Istanbul
Included in the price
Istanbul
- 3 nights' accommodation at the mentioned hotels.
- Full-day guided Istanbul Old City Tour on a small-group basis.
- Photo stop at Hagia Sophia Mosque.
- Visit to the Byzantine Hippodrome.
- Visit to the Blue Mosque.
- Photo stop at Topkapi Palace.
- Visit to the Grand Bazaar.
- Princes' Islands excursion including ferry journey to Buyukada.
- Visit to the lavish Ottoman mansions and Victorian summer villas around Buyukada.
- Welcome package including tour vouchers, an Istanbul map and tourist information.
- English-speaking local tour guides.
- Entrance fees to museums.
- Daily bottled water.
- Tips at restaurants and hotels.
- All parking fees and highway tolls.
- Daily breakfast throughout the stay, plus lunch on the excursions, as detailed in the itinerary.
- Private airport transfers with new-model vehicles.
Istanbul
- 3 nights' accommodation at the mentioned hotels.
- Full-day guided Istanbul Old City Tour on a small-group basis.
- Photo stop at Hagia Sophia Mosque.
- Visit to the Byzantine Hippodrome.
- Visit to the Blue Mosque.
- Photo stop at Topkapi Palace.
- Visit to the Grand Bazaar.
- Princes' Islands excursion including ferry journey to Buyukada.
- Visit to the lavish Ottoman mansions and Victorian summer villas around Buyukada.
- Welcome package including tour vouchers, an Istanbul map and tourist information.
- English-speaking local tour guides.
- Entrance fees to museums.
- Daily bottled water.
- Tips at restaurants and hotels.
- All parking fees and highway tolls.
- Daily breakfast throughout the stay, plus lunch on the excursions, as detailed in the itinerary.
- Private airport transfers with new-model vehicles.
Day-wise Itinerary
ExpandDay 1: Arrival In Istanbul – Welcome To Turkey
- Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be warmly welcomed and enjoy transfer to your Old City hotel along with a welcome package including vouchers, a map, and tourist information. After checking in, refresh yourself and spend rest of the day at leisure—relax or explore historic streets, savor Turkish tea and baklava at rooftop spots in Fatih (Queb Rooftop, Mimar Sinan Roof, or Kubbe-i Aşk), try traditional hot sand coffee at Şark Kahvesi in the Grand Bazaar, or experience coffee-ground fortune-telling in Taksim (Symbol Cafe Teras, Melekler Kahvesi, or Kadınlar Kahvesi) before your overnight stay.
- Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour – Journey Through History
- After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul's historic Old City.
- Begin your journey with a photo stop at Hagia Sophia Mosque, allowing you to admire this iconic landmark celebrated for its remarkable Byzantine architecture. Continue to the Byzantine Hippodrome, the historic site where chariot races were once held and an important part of Istanbul's ancient heritage.
- Next, visit the magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its impressive architecture and beautiful blue Iznik tiles.
- Continue to Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans, and enjoy a photo stop at this magnificent landmark reflecting the grandeur of the Ottoman era.
- The tour concludes at the Grand Bazaar, Turkey's largest covered market with approximately 4,000 shops. Wander through its vibrant lanes, discover traditional products and souvenirs, and experience the lively atmosphere of one of Istanbul's most famous shopping destinations.
- Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. In such cases, the sightseeing will be replaced with either the Underground Cistern or the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and will be replaced with the Spice Bazaar.
- Overnight stay in Istanbul.
- (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 3: Excursion To Princes' Islands - Ferry Transfer
- After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the ferry to Buyukada (Big Island), the largest of the Princes' Islands and a peaceful seaside escape from the city.
- As the ferry leaves the Golden Horn, you will round Sarayburnu, the headland from where the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque can be seen.
- The ferry journey continues past four islands, each featuring charming old Ottoman houses, before reaching Buyukada.
- Upon arrival, discover the island's lavish Ottoman mansions and beautiful Victorian summer villas. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a cozy seaside fish restaurant and relax while looking back towards the domes and minarets among the skyscrapers of modern Istanbul.
- Spend the day enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Buyukada, one of Istanbul's residents' favourite summer retreats.
- Overnight stay in Istanbul.
- (Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 4: Departure From Istanbul – Until We Meet Again
- After breakfast, check out from your hotel and enjoy your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- As your Istanbul journey comes to an end, take with you memories of historic landmarks, beautiful architecture, charming island scenery and peaceful moments by the sea.
- Leave Istanbul with memories that stretch from the heart of the Old City to the shores of Buyukada — until we meet again.
- (Breakfast)
Exclusions
Expand- Personal expenses such as hotel minibar charges.
- Drinks during meals.
- Tips to the local guide and driver.
Terms and Conditions
Expand- Rooms and domestic flight tickets cannot be held without a down payment.
- A 20% deposit is required to confirm the booking.
- 100% payment must be completed 14 days prior to arrival.
- Normal hotel check-in time is 14:00 hrs.
- Normal hotel check-out time is 12:00 hrs.
- Early check-in and late check-out are always subject to availability and may be confirmed with an additional payment.
- If the mentioned hotels are unavailable at the time of booking, similar-basis hotels will be provided.
- Above 11 years are considered as adult
- Mentioned hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking and may be replaced with similar-category hotels.
- Package rates are based on the specified room category. Any upgrade will be at an additional cost.
- Standard check-in time is at 14:00 (02:00 PM) to 15:00 (03:00 PM) and check-out time is by 12:00 PM.
- Early check-in and late check-out are not included and if the guests want to do so, then there will be an additional supplement and should be borne by the guests.
- Connecting rooms, adjoining rooms, specific floor, bed type or special room requests are subject to hotel availability.
- Meals will be provided as mentioned in the itinerary. Menu and restaurant arrangements are subject to availability.
- Special dietary requirements must be advised at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
- Tips, laundry, porterage, beverages, minibar, room service, telephone calls and other personal expenses are not included unless specifically mentioned.
- Optional tours, activities, experiences and upgrades are available at an additional cost and must be booked in advance where applicable.
- No refund will be provided for any unused, partially used or missed services.
- No refund will be provided for services missed due to late arrival, early departure or changes made by the guest.
- There will be American / continental breakfast or similar served at the hotel and the company cannot make any changes in the menu.
- Any physical or mental disability requiring special attention or treatment must be noted at the time of reservation.
- Original Indian passport valid for a minimum of 06 months beyond the travel.
- Standard check-in to the hotel is 1400/1500 hours and check-out is always 1100/1200 hours.
- The itinerary can be altered due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather/heavy traffic conditions. No refunds will be provided in such cases.
- Images shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual scenery, vehicle models, and local experiences may vary depending on weather, seasonality, and itinerary availability.
- Meals are not included on arrival day and no meals except breakfast on departure day
