Istanbul Tours IST110

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Includes:

Accommodation:

2 nights Istanbul including breakfast Basis

Services Included:

Airport`s meet, assist and transfers

Istanbul Old City Tour

All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles

Accommodation and Sightseeing as listed

Professional Multilingual tour guide and tour leader

All services in private basis

Entrance fees as sights listed in itinerary

Excludes:

Any Flights booking

Entry Visa to Egypt

Any Kind of Insurance

Personal expenses

Optional Tours

Tipping

Day 01: Arrival Istanbul

Arrival at Ataturk airport where you will be met and assisted through Visa and Customs by our staff and escorted to your hotel in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul .

Meals: No

Day 02: (Istanbul) Istanbul Old City Tours

After breakfast at hotel from 07:00 am to 09:00 am, our tour guide will meet you at Lobby to pick up and start the day tours to visit Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque after that transfer to restaurant to get your lunch meal, continue to visit Grand Bazaar and Hippodrome transfer back to your hotel - over night in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

Day 03: Departure day (Istanbul)

After breakfast, free time until your departure and check out then transfer to Ataturk airport for your final departure. Wish you a safe trip

Meals: Breakfast

Grand Bazaar ( Covered Bazaar)
Location: inside the walled city of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighbourhood bearing the same name History: The ... More Info.

Hagia Sophia Museum
Location: Aya Sofya Sq., Sultanahmet, Istanbul, TurkeyBuilt: Completed in 537ADBuilt By:The Byzantine emperor Justinian I History: Hagia Sophia, ... More Info.

Hagia Sophia Museum

Description:

Location: Aya Sofya Sq., Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

Built: Completed in 537AD

Built By:The Byzantine emperor Justinian I

History: Hagia Sophia, once the greatest church in the Christian world until its conversion into a mosque in 1453, is now one of Istanbul most well known and breathtakingly beautiful museums.

The Byzantine emperor Justinian I had Hagia Sophia built, in all its glory, in under five and a half years. Completed in 537AD, this patriarchal basilica remained the largest cathedral in the world until 1453, when Constantinople was conquered by Ottoman armies and Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Prior to its conversion, the interior walls were covered with marble and porphyry, as well as beautiful mosaics which included 30 million gold tiles depicting various religious scenes. Its massive columns are made from granite.

Hagia Sophia is rectangular in structure, measuring 70 metres by 75 metres with a massive central dome. Its dome made it the focus of intense architectural interest and wonder; with a height of 55.5 metres and a diameter measuring 31.24 metres, it appears to float on its arches. This was achieved by the construction of triangular piers at the corners of the base and by a sequence of arched windows under it, allowing vast amounts of sunlight into the building. The Crusaders ransacked Hagia Sophia in 1204. In the wake of their destruction and desecration they also robbed the cathedral of many of its relics, shipping them to Venice, and replaced its Patriarch with a Latin bishop. This event ultimately served to divide the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Hagia Sophia was used as a model for many other mosques including the Blue Mosque which stands opposite it. During its conversion to a mosque, all the traditional Christian elements such as its altar, bells and iconoclasts were removed. As Islam prohibits the representation of figures, the mosaics and frescoes were plastered over and replaced with geometric designs, gold, wood and mother of pearl. Two minarets were later added, along a prayer niche, pulpit, ablutions area, tombs and an elementary school. Large medallions inscribed with Islamic calligraphy were suspended from the mosque dome in the 19th century and are still visible today. The Museum Upper Gallery, where the church council would sit, includes many of the best preserved mosaics and Christian imagery, while the lower level contains the greatest concentration of Islamic art and functional elements of a mosque. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the secular Turkish Republic, had Hagia Sophia converted into a museum in 1935 following extensive restoration led by Thomas With more of the Byzantine Institute of America. In the process, a compromise had to be made as many of the covered Christian mosaics and icons were exposed, resulting in the destruction of the Islamic art which had replaced it. In this regard, the restoration project has attempted to strike a balance between the two religious styles. The Museums restoration is ongoing, visible by the scaffolding inside

Opening Hours: between 9.30-16.30 every day except Mondays.

Sultan Ahmed Complex ( Blue Mosque)
Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul, TurkeyBuilt In: the 17th CenturyBuilt By: Sultan Ahmed IHistory: It is located in front of the Hagia Sophia, in the ... More Info.

Sultan Ahmed Complex ( Blue Mosque)

Description:

Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

Built In: the 17th Century

Built By: Sultan Ahmed I

History: It is located in front of the Hagia Sophia, in the Emin district of Istanbul. The architect of the complex is Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, who was appointed the head architect after Sinan the Architects death. The Sultan Ahmed Complex is one of the greatest complexes in Istanbul. Construction began with a big ceremony in 1609, and it was completed in 1616. The building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of more than 20,000 blue and white Iznik tiles which include floral motifs. According to Evliya Celebi, the famous 17th centruy Ottoman traveler and writer, seven palaces were pulled down for this monumental structure. Being one of the last samples of the Classical Ottoman architectural heritage adds a different value to the complex.

Primary structures of the complex include:

the mosque, imaret(soup kitchen), madrasah (Qur'an School), Hunkar Kasr (sultans summer palace), bath, fountain, , sabyan mektebi (Ottoman elementary-primary school), arasta (Ottoman bazaar), sebil (public fountain), lodgings, houses and cellars. Information about structures of the complex are given in Akarat-Vakf-

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) :

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is the only one which has 6 minarets among mosques in Istanbul. The four minarets with three sherefes each (minaret balcony) were erected at the four corners of the mosque, and the remaining two short minarets with two sherefes each were erected opposite at two corners of the courtyard. The central dome, placed on four piers, is 33.6 meters in diameter and 43 meters high at its central point. It is supported by four semi-domes. The ceiling structure of the Blue mosque is similar to the (Prince) Mosque. The interior of the mosque, which is 64X72 m, is lighted with 260 windows. The outer courtyard, encircled with windowed walls, has eight doors on both sides and in front. The inner courtyard with marble floor coverings is enclosed with 30 domes. The tulip and carnations motifs of the fountain with six columns in the inner courtyard is eye-catching. It is entered by the inner court with three doors. Those three doors and the main door of the outer court are made of bronze. On the pulpit of the mosque with nacre-inlay, the embroidered muezzin mahfil (a gallery/platform for the call to prayer) and the niche were worked with the architectural details. In addition, it has artistic value with carpets, kilims, rahles (reading desks), engravings, and colourful stained-glass windows.

Other Structures:

Hunkar KasrÄ± is one of the structures of the Sultan Ahmed Complex. The residence of Sultan built in outer court of the mosque for his brief rest, both before and after prayer was reconstructed after the fire in 1949. The tomb of the complex built on a square plan with a dome is located at the northwest corner of the complex. Sultan Ahmed I, Kasem Sultan,his wife, his sons, Murad IV., Osman II., as well as some of his grandchildren were buried in the tomb.The building located next to the wall of the outer court is Subyan Mektebi, Ottoman elementary-primary school. There are shops and fountains located on the first floor of the Sayan Mektebi, and the classroom on the second floor. There is mosaic museum in one section of the (Ottoman Bazaar), which is located on Qabla (direction of prayer) of the Complex, today, the remaining section is being used as souvenir shops. Imaret (soup kitchen) and (hospital) situated on the bank of Sokullu Mehmet Paya are being used as Sultan Ahmed Technical High School. Three of the comple fountains were extant. One of them is based in Ottoman Bazaar, the second one is at the door of outer court, the third one is near the tomb.

Opening Hours: Daily 9am-6pm except during prayer times (about 30 min. five times a day) and midday on Fridays

Topkapi Palace
Location: The palace is located on the Seraglio Point between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, TurkeyBuilt In: between 1466 and ... More Info.

Topkapi Palace

Description:

Location: The palace is located on the Seraglio Point between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, Turkey

Built In: between 1466 and 1478

Built By: The sultan Mehmet II

History: Towering over the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea in what was once ancient Constantinople, Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet is one of Istanbulâ€™s most visited tourist attractions. Constructed in 1478 by Sultan Mehmet II, the Palace was the official residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. In 1924 Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and in 1985 it became an official part of Istanbul Old City designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering an area of approximately 70,000m², Topkapi Palace is set around four main leafy courtyards.It was turned into a museum in 1924 and has become one of the most attractive palace-museums in the world. The most attractive exhibition halls of the palace are: treasury, Islamic holly relics, costumes of the sultans, divan, harem, kitchens, Chinese porcelains and several kiosks such as the Baghdad, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye. There are appealing eating and resting facilities for visitors on the palace grounds with a great view. It is a wonderland of pavilions, gardens and buildings which once fulfilled a large number of key political, administrative, educational, religious and residential functions for the Ottoman Empire. At one time the Palace housed a university, mosque, Imperial Council and the state Mint, and it is estimated that up to 4,000 people lived within the Palace walls. Topkapi Palace houses an extensive collection of treasures including jewellery, carriages, costumes, weaponry and holy artifacts. Highlights include the cloak and sword of the Prophet Mohammed and its porcelain collection, which is the third most important in the world. Also worth checking out is the Topkapi Dagger, which is encrusted three impressively large emeralds. The Palaceâ€™s treasury also houses the world fifth largest diamond- the Kasiki or Spoonmakers Diamond, which is set in silver and surrounded by 49 smaller diamonds. One of the main draw cards of Topkapi Palace is its Harem- meaning the protected or forbidden place, which housed only those closest to the Sultan including his family, wives, concubines and eunuchs and their servants. Entrance to the Harem was strictly prohibited to those outside this immediate group and all of those inside were ruled over by the Sultans mother.

Visitors are taken on guided tours through the exquisitely decorated hallways and rooms of the Harem and are provided with some ancient gossip and a unique insight into the lavish comforts which were once bestowed upon its most important inhabitants, including fountains, fireplaces, hot and cold baths and an under floor heating system.

Although its only possible to see a fraction of Topkapi Palaces hundreds of rooms, it is well worth visiting for its impressive architecture, artifacts and views.

Opening Hours: daily between 9:30-5:00 p.m. except Tuesdays.

Rates:

Rates quoted on US Dollar per person per package including all Applicable taxes

Rates based on mentioned hotels or Nile cruises listed in offer

Payment should be in USD and if by another currency it will be due to daily exchange rate

Rates excluding Christmas, New Year & Easter and it will be case by case upon request

Children Policy:

Child up to 03 years old free of charge and sharing parent`s room

Child from 03-05 years old will be charged 25 % of adult`s rate

Child from 05-11, 99 year old will be 50 % of adult rate and sharing parent`s room

Child over 12 years old will be Adult`s rate

Accommodation:

Chosen hotels in each package is a sample of package category not secured booking and your final booking will be sent within confirmation letter and invoice

Tour Guides:

Rates based on English - French - German - Spanish - Italian tour guides.

Other languages speaking guide will have supplement and will be advised upon receiving your request.

Tipping:

You are not obliged to do it, it is up to you

Cancellation:

Trip2egypt.com only accepts cancellation made writing document by official email ( info@trip2egypt.com ) . If travelers cancel his/her reservation the following fees will be applies,

On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment

02 - 04 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged

05 - 07 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged

08 - 15 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged

16 - 30 days prior to arrival date 45 % of total payment will be charged

31 - 45 days prior to arrival date 25 % of total payment will be charged

Christmas and New Year from 18 DEC until 10 JAN cancellation policy will be as the following:

On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment

02 - 15 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged

16 - 25 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged

26 - 45 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged

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From 4-11.99 years old

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Under 4 years old

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