Full Day Istanbul City Tour with Entrance to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Cistern Basilica. Evening Free Time at Leisure in Taksim Square
After breakfast, we proceed to old city of Istanbul. First visit will be Hippodrome, The center of sport activities with its four monuments; The German Fountain Of Wilhelm II, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and the Column Of Constantine. Then visit The Blue Mosque The most famous mosque of Istanbul which is known as the Blue Mosque as well because of its beautiful blue Iznik tiles. Next stop will be The Hagıa Sophıa Grand Mosque. This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Next stop will Topkapı Palace. The great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of precious gems, jewellery thrones of sultans, costumes worn by the sultans and their families; miniatures, the Holy Mantle; Chamber Of Sacred Relics. Later we Visit The Basilica Cistern which is a famous historical site that brings millions of tourists every year. It is approximately 140 meters in length and 70 meters in breadth, spanning across an area of 9,800 square meters. The grand cistern consists of 336 columns, 9 meters long and placed 4.8 meters away.
Each of the columns is different from one another. The most noteworthy part of the Basilica Cistern is the two Medusa heads. The two heads bespoke the marvellous Roman architecture and are believed to be taken from a famous antique building. Located on the north-western side of the cistern, the two heads form the base of two pillars. Later in the evening we have free time at leisure in Taksim Square. One of Istanbul’s most visited tourist destinations, the word Taksim means "division" or "distribution" in Arabic. Taksim Square was originally the point where the main water lines from the north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of the city (hence the name). When you are walking down Istiklal Street, the main street parallel to Taksim Square, you will see many forms of color and life that will reflect the culture and the people of Istanbul. The streets are filled with shops, food joints and restaurants, hotels where you can interact and experience the destination in your way. Entertainment in Taksim Square can come in many forms; it can be a smile of an innocent child or a Turkish Ice-Cream performance.
Meals: Breakfast | Indian Lunch | Indian Dinner
