ISLAMIC HERITAGE in ISTANBUL
Duration: Full day (08:30 to 17:30)
Price: 50 Euro (per person-min 04)
Run: Everyday (private)
After pick up from hotel or Istanbul cruise port, we then continue
to Taksim Square and walk to Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue),
the heart of Beyoglu. Built during the 19th century, this is
the more modern district of Istanbul. The city's most popular
strolling, shopping and snacking street, now reserved for pedestrians,
is lined with boutiques, cafes, consulates, restaurants, galleries,
cinemas, banks, and more, with residential apartments above.
When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople (Istanbul)
as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue
de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi) and its half-European, half-Asian
culture. Halfway along the avenue toward the southwest is Galatasaray
Square, easily recognizable by the grand gates to Galatasaray
Lisesi, the first European-style lycée (high school) erected
by the Ottoman government.
See the Church of St. Anthony, established in 1725 to serve
transient foreigners and the many families who stayed on in the
Sultan's dominions. Afterwards, walk to the historic Pera Palas
Hotel, built to accommodate the pampered travellers arriving
aboard the Orient Express including Agatha Christie. Next is
Galata Mevlevihane, the monastery of Whirling Dervishes, founded
by a descendant of Rumi in the 1490s.
Afterwards walk to the Galata district and see the Galata Tower,
which has dominated Beyoglu's skyline since 1348 and still offers
stunning panoramic views of the city. From the 1500s onward,
Galata was mostly Jewish. As recently as the late 20th century,
Galata rang with the songs and street-games of Jewish children
speaking Ladino (Judeo-Spanish). Today most of Istanbul's Jews
live in more desirable residential quarters, though Galata's
synagogues are still in use.
We then take the tram built in 1875, which is Europe's 2nd oldest
and perhaps the world's shortest subway Tunel, 573 meters, the
trip takes 1.5 minutes rather than a 20 minute walk down the
steepest streets of Istanbul. From there we walk a few minutes
to Galata Bridge to enjoy lunch under the bridge almost on the
waters of Golden Horn. We highly recommend seafood here. Before
driving back to the hotel we stop shortly to see the last stop
of the once most luxurious train from Europe "The Orient
Express", Sirkeci Train Station is literally where the railway
from Europe physically ends. You may ask your guide for the best
Turkish Bath for a relaxing evening after a long but splendid
day sightseeing the Oriental Istanbul.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel or
Istanbul cruise port.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please take note of the following:
* This tour is not suitable for children below the age 10
* The order of visiting sights, may vary slightly from time to
time
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up
point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time.
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops.
What's Included:
* Pick up and drop off at your Hotel or Cruise Port
* Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coaches
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums,
parking and road tolls
* Lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra)
* Local taxes
