Breakfast at the hotel. We begin with a visit to İstiklal Avenue, a pedestrian thoroughfare. İstiklal Avenue, also known as Independence Avenue (Turkish: İstiklâl Caddesi), is one of Istanbul's most famous avenues. Located in the historic Beyoğlu district, this pedestrian street is home to boutiques, music shops, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafes, pubs, nightclubs with live music, historic pastry shops, chocolate shops, and restaurants. Our next stop is the famous Galata Tower. The tower is located in the Galata district, across the Golden Horn from the former Constantinople. This site was once the city of Galata, a colony belonging to the Republic of Genoa between the 13th and 15th centuries. Today it enjoys an exceptional location in the heart of Istanbul, very close to the Bosphorus where it meets the Golden Horn. Next, we visit Karaköy. It's one of the oldest commercial centers, famous for its banks and office buildings. This is the modern name for the old Galata district. It has been renowned as a port and trading center throughout history. Today, it's one of Istanbul's main attractions with its colorful streets, cafes, pubs, and historic buildings. We'll have the opportunity to see the historic Bank Street (formerly known as Voivoda Street), mosques, churches, the docks, and Galataport, a striking modern structure. Transfer to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Breakfast and start of the day with a visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque. Built atop the third hill of historic Istanbul by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan, the Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the city. Along the way, we'll see the Valens Aqueduct, a Roman aqueduct system constructed in the late 4th century AD to supply Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The next stop is the Zeyrek Mosque, formerly a Byzantine monastery called the Pantocrator Monastery, dedicated to Christ. Like most of the city's Byzantine churches, it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Pantocrator, meaning "almighty," was the largest church in Constantinople after Hagia Sophia. Then we'll see the Gül Mosque, another unique former Byzantine monastery that has been converted into a mosque. The so-called "Church of Saint Theodosia," now known as Gül Camii ('Rose Mosque' in Turkish), was a Byzantine church in the Dexiokratous district of Constantinople, near the walls of the Golden Horn. The Greek Orthodox Church of Hagios Nikolaos is the next stop. Afterward, head to a local restaurant for lunch (not included). Continue to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Fener and its library. The Greek Patriarchate of Fener and the Patriarchal Church of St. George are located in the Fener district, on the banks of the Golden Horn, and share the same courtyard. The Patriarchate remains the mother church of Greek Orthodox Christianity worldwide. Finally, visit Balat, where you can experience Istanbul's rich history by walking amidst the colorful displays and vibrant street life, the crisscrossing clotheslines over ruined buildings, the synagogues, the churches, and the labyrinth of cobblestone streets. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the Asian side of Istanbul. We begin with Kadıköy, known in classical antiquity and during the Roman and Byzantine periods as Chalcedon (Greek: Χαλκηδών), where the Council of Chalcedon, the fourth ecumenical council of the Christian Church, was held. Today, it is a lively district, full of markets where you can find fresh fruit, seafood, and trendy cafes, while also seeing several historical sites and buildings. Passing the coast of Üsküdar, you will see the Maiden's Tower, one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks. Located on a small island, it is believed that the tower served as a station for visiting ships around 400 BC. We continue to Kuzguncuk, an older settlement dating back to the Byzantine era of Justinian II. The area is also known as the first Jewish settlement on the Asian side of Istanbul. Today the district is famous for its quiet streets with colorful houses and for being a place of religious mosaic, where you can see a mosque, a church and a synagogue located close together.

Meals included: Breakfast

Breakfast and free time. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast