6 Days of Christmas in Istanbul

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6 DAYS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ISTANBUL SUMMARY:

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 infamous blue mosque and Aya Sophia. Shop in the Grand Bazaar and the stunning markets with in the old city. Celebrate Christmas morning with a Turkish Bath and relax on the Bosphorus. 6 wonderful days of Christmas.

Day 1 - Istanbul - Tuesday 22nd December 2009
Welcome to Turkey, arrival to 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.

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Wednesday 23rd December 2009
(Breakfast included)
We depart at 09:00 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.

Day 3 - Shopping Tour - Thursday 24th December 2009
(Breakfast included)
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.

Day 4 - Christmas Day & Turkish Bath - Friday 25th December 2009
(Breakfast included)
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 of 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.

Day 5 - Bosphorus Cruise - Saturday 26th December 2009
(Breakfast included)
We have a leisurely start this morning with departure of 13:00. Bosphorus Cruise: 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 Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy 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 Bosphorus. 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).

Day 6 - End of your Tour - Sunday 27th December 2009
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from your hotel, transfer to the airport. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future. Have a safe trip back home.

6 DAYS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY INCLUDES: