Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

The Ottomans and Byzantines ruled this city for centuries, and testament to these great empires stand the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, opposite each other in Sultanahmet Square. You’ll see these two impressive places of Istanbul as well as the Grand Bazaar. Start with a visit to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque. Continue to the Hippodrome, to see the remains of what was once the scene for political struggles in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as a church for hundreds of years during the Byzantine Empire and was converted to a Mosque when the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453. Next stop is the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a short time to experience the exotic atmosphere of the covered part.

A scenic orientation drive takes you to the old city where you’ll have a glimpse of the Old City’s Sea Walls, Golden Horn, Bulgarian Orthodox Church, several gates on the Land Walls and the Sea of Marmara with a photo stop en route. You’ll pass by the heart of Old City, you'll see the magnificence of the Blue Mosque, the German Fountain and Obelisk in the Byzantine Hippodrome and St. Sophia from outside. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with thousands of stalls that sell items such as carpets, jewelry, leather goods, silver, brass and copperware, ceramics, alabaster, textiles and a variety of souvenirs. You’ll have time to wander this giant labyrinth and take in the atmosphere. As you walk in deeper in to the bazaar, keep in mind that it is easy to get lost in it if you don’t pay attention to where you started.

OVERVIEW

Begin with a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait, you’ll delight in a mixture of past and present sites including unforgettable castles, towering minarets, and world-famous modern luxury hotels. You’ll continue to the Old City by bus to visit the Blue Mosque, designed by architect Mehmet Aga to rival the Hagia Sofia. This is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Its interior walls are adorned with beautiful bluish green tiles which gives the mosque its name. On another side of the square is the Hippodrome and its remnants - the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine and Constantine Columns. Continue your walk through this bustling square to visit the majestic Hagia Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in the world. The intricate mosaics that adorn its ceilings and walls are of immeasurable artistic and historic value. Next visit one of the most colorful sites in Istanbul – the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part briefly.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Bosphorus Strait.
• Discover Istanbul’s most legendary landmarks, including the Blue Mosque with its stunning blue green tiles.
• Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the world famous Grand Bazaar.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Lavish palaces, Byzantine art, beautiful mosques, bustling bazaars, Turkish food... all things that come to mind when you think of Istanbul. This tour is designed to cover the major highlights of Istanbul and maximize your time in this classical city. See the Hagia Sophia Mosque from outside, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and considered as the 8th wonder of the world by most art historians. Next stop will be Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque Another highlight of your tour is Topkapi Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Other stop in your itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part for a brief period of time.

Drive to the Old City where you’ll find the Hippodrome, a reminder of what was the center of Byzantium’s political scene. Take in the breathtaking views of the Blue Mosque with its unique exterior defined by its six minarets, domes and semi-domes. You’ll admire its interior, covered with beautifully hand painted blue tiles which give the mosque its most popular name. Next visit one of the most colorful sites in Istanbul – the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part briefly. Enjoy a boat ride along the shoreline of the Bosphorus and take in the views of the Dolmabahce Palace, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the few remaining towers of the Anadolu Hisar, where you’ll see the city’s connection to the Black Sea.

Discover the highlights of this fascinating city in the company of a small group. On this exclusive tour, you’ll experience the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and Turkish food - all musts when you visit Istanbul. Start with a visit to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue-green Iznik tiles used for its interior decoration. The six minarets and the layout of the domes and semi-domes create a unique exterior. From here, continue to the Hippodrome, to see the remains of what was once the center of Byzantine Constantinople’s political and sporting life. Walk and visit Hagia Sophia, now the St. Sophia Museum, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, considered as the most important Byzantine monument in the world. Also visit Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have the chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part for a brief period of time. You’ll also visit the open and modern section of the Grand Bazaar with many modern stores and reliable shopping. During your time around the Grand Bazaar, you’ll stop at the modern section where you’ll enjoy local snacks and a presentation of carpets, leather or jewelry, followed by time for shopping. A lunch of typical Turkish specialties is yours to enjoy during the tour.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic and immensely scenic drive through Istanbul, beginning with a 30-minute journey from the pier to the Old Town via the Galata Bridge. Along the way, you’ll pass by historic landmarks such as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once a grand arena that hosted chariot races, gladiatorial contests, and public events during the Byzantine era. Though only fragments remain today, the site once held up to 100,000 spectators and played a key role in the city’s civic life. Next, visit the magnificent Blue Mosque—so named for the stunning blue-green Iznik tiles that adorn its interior. With 30 domes and six fluted minarets, this architectural gem continues to impress both inside and out. After your visit, rejoin your coach for a panoramic drive along the shores of the Golden Horn, taking in the scenic beauty of Istanbul’s storied waterways. You’ll then return to the ship, with the remainder of your day at leisure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive through Istanbul.
• Pass the site of the 3rd-century hippodrome, once an enormous arena for sporting events.
• Behold the Blue Mosque, an early 17th-century architectural treasure that still inspires awe.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise the storied Bosphorus Strait that divides Europe from Asia and enjoy a unique perspective of cosmopolitan Istanbul, which straddles both sides of the waterway. You will pass ornate seaside mansions known as yalis, under historical bridges and by Byzantine fortresses that attest to Istanbul’s strategic importance over the centuries. Commentary will describe key landmarks such as the 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace, a residence so lavish that its construction nearly bankrupted the imperial family. The waterfront Esma Sultan is noteworthy because a modern event space has been built inside the standing ruins of the original mansion, which a raging fire destroyed. You will see countless slender minarets rising above Istanbul – often called the “City of Minarets” – including the six on the Blue Mosque, which was constructed about 700 years ago during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. The Bosphorus is always busy, which will make your cruise all the more scenic and entertaining.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Istanbul from a water perspective by cruising the Bosphorus Strait that divides the city..
• Pass waterfront mansions and hilltop mosques overlooking both banks of the Bosphorus.
• Hear commentary that describes the cultural and historical importance of the attractions.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover architectural treasures in Istanbul that were particularly significant when the city was known as Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. While walking through Old Town, an area first settled nearly 3,000 years ago, you will pass the remains of the 3rd-century hippodrome on the way to the Hagia Sophia museum. As you browse the artwork within the former cathedral, which was once the world’s largest building, be sure to notice the Byzantine elements on the inside of its famed dome. Nearby, you will view a cavernous underground cistern from the Byzantine period that once provided water to the Great Palace. Built in the 6th century, it features 336 intricately carved columns that are illuminated for dramatic effect. Free time follows at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered marketplaces. It contains thousands of shops selling everything imaginable, so you are sure to find something of great interest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Istanbul’s atmospheric Old Town, known as Byzantium when founded.
• Pass the site of the 3rd-century hippodrome, which could hold 100,000 spectators.
• Browse the extraordinary art in the Hagia Sophia, a cathedral that is now a museum and a mosque.
• Behold a massive 6th-century underground cistern that is dramatically illuminated.
• Spend free time in the Grand Bazaar, a collection of thousands of shops.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the most historical areas of Istanbul at night, when the city will be illuminated and absolutely mesmerizing. To reach the Old Town, you will cross Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, a waterway named for the shimmering golden color it takes on as the sun sets. You will then pass the so-called new mosque, which was constructed in the 17th century, on the way to expansive Sultanahmet Square. As you will see firsthand, the square offers extraordinary views of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, a former cathedral that was converted into a museum. Both iconic buildings will radiate in the up-lighting, which casts bold shadows that make features such as the soaring minarets look even more dramatic. Upon returning back to Galata Bridge, you will settle in at a restaurant for a traditional dinner. Chances are, seafood will be on the menu.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Istanbul, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture the best pictures at each selfie stop.

As you walk and ride through Istanbul, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:

• Hippodrome
• Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
• Blue Mosque
• Spice Bazaar
• Galata Bridge

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Istanbul.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Behold the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and 3rd-century Hippodrome.
• Visit Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait.
• Sample a selection of local delicacies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.