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06
Days of Christmas in Istanbul Tour Itinerary
Description
Welcome to Turkey
to celebrate Christmas in Istanbul, the corner stone of Europe
and Asia. Istanbul is full of wonders and with the festive
season upon us the streets of Istanbul come alive. Enjoy our
tour of the city visiting the famous blue mosque and Aya Sophia.
Shop in the Grand Bazaar and the stunning markets within the
old city. Celebrate Christmas morning with a Turkish Bath
and relax on the Bosphorous. 6 wonderful days of Christmas.
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DAY 1 - 22 December 2008 Arrival
Welcome
to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul for your transfer from the
airport & check into your hotel. Tonight we have a welcome
dinner. You will meet our friendly crew and other travellers
while enjoying Turkish Food and enjoy the mystical atmosphere
of Istanbul at night.
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DAY
2 - 23 December 2008 Istanbul City Tour
We depart at 09:00am
for the Istanbul city tour. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace
of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries
housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese
porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the
famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy
Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET
IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century
by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because
of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races,
with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze
Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
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DAY
3 - 24 December 2008 Shopping Tour
Christmas Eve and
it's a chance for some last minute Christmas gifts, or even
to treat yourself. We will make a shopping tour in which you
will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving,
leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided
tour, you will avoid being hassled which will enable you enjoy
the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the
ancient craftsmen. We will then visit the GRAND COVER BAZAAR.
In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000
shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths'
street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such
as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copper ware, brass
ware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.
Enjoy a big xmas feast of rich Turkish cuisine and party the
night away with your new friends.
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DAY
4 - 25 December 2008 Christmas Day – Turkish Bath
Merry Christmas!
We start our morning with a Hamam, that's the word for the
Turkish bath and is surely an unforgettable part of your holiday
and the best way to start Christmas day. Receive a pummeling
from head to toe, let the expert scrub off all those dead
cells, relax and drift away. Late afternoon we start our Christmas
celebrations, and yes Santa will visit you at the Hotel, the
festive atmosphere is in the air. You will definitely have
a Christmas night to remember. Enjoy a big Christmas feast
of rich Turkish cuisine and party the night away with your
new friends with Turkish live music.
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DAY
5 - 26 December 2008 Bosphorous Cruise
We have a leisurely
start this morning with departure of 13:00. BOSPHOROUS ON
BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating
Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas,
palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.
During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe
Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions
of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan
Palace, 300 meters of marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy
a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display
their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance
with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side
for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior
to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months
to control and protect Bosphorous. It is one of the most beautiful
works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
BEYLERBEYI PALAS The summer residence of ottoman sultans with
its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem
on the Asian.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE unique change to step from one continent
(Asia) to another (Europe)
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DAY
6 - 27 December 2008 The end of the Tour
After breakfast
check out from the hotel. We drive you back to the airport.
We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward
to seeing you in the future
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Tour Price Includes:
. Professional English speaking tour guide throughout.
. All transportation by private a/c coach
. 5 nights, 4 star hotel accommodation in Istanbul
. Turkish Bath in Istanbul
. Istanbul City Tour
. Shopping Tour
. Bosphorous Cruise
. Christmas Party with Turkish cuisine and Turkish live music.
. All Accommodation includes breakfast.
. All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
. Return airport transfers
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Tour Price Excludes:
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Air and departure taxes,
Bottled beverages or alcohol,
Travel insurance,
Visas, laundry, and personal items.
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Price
FROM:
£332.50
Per Person (based on Double Share)
£432.50 Single Room/Traveller
Set Departure
Dates:
22 - 27 Dec 2008
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For
further information or to book please call 0208 744 0474
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