Istanbul Excursions

Not to be confused with the Turkish Baths in the resorts

Treat yourself to some serious relaxation at an authentic Turkish bath. If you have never tried this before, you are in for a bit of a surprise. It’s a serious steam clean for your body that’ll leave you feeling fresh and incredibly clean. Choose from several different treatments designed to pamper and relax you.

The Pir-i Pak is a traditional 35 minute full body scrub with a relaxing head and neck massage. Keyf-i Hamam (Pleasures of the Hamam) is a sensual 50-minute session including a full body bubble massage and aromatherapy session. Zevk-i Sefa (Extravagant Pleasures) lasts 75 minutes and includes massage, skin refining peel, moisturising body clay mask and aromatherapy massage, all with the Judas Tree essential oil. Or maybe you want to go the full hog and indulge in a full 90 minutes of pure pleasure with the Ab-ı Hayat (Elixir of Life) including all of the above treatments together with fresh fruit, Turkish delight, walnuts, sherbet and tea served on traditional Ottoman trays.

Other treatments include aromatherapy massage with essential Judas Tree oil and reflexology and stress-busting massages.

 

Gastro Delight

The table has been set and all that’s missing is for you to take your place at the rstaurant Del Mare to feast on a traditional Turkish dinner. This renowned seafood restaurant in Cengelkoy boasts a stunning setting overlooking the Bosphorus. There are four set menus to choose from and unlimited local beverages to imbibe.

Restaurant Del Mare is located in a building dating from 1800, when it served as an elephant barn. A decade ago, it was restored into the welcoming restaurant of today. At night there are breathtaking views of the Bosphorus Bridge, while the city lights flicker on the water. We invite you to be a part of this whole new world across the Bosphorus on the Asian side of Istanbul

Covers: Olive tapenade; pickled cucumbers; and tomatoes with tuna

Cold appetisers: Broad beans; sea peas or Mediterranean greens (depending on season); marinated mackerel; mixed seafood salad; aubergine salad with tomato sauce; feta cheese

Hot appetisers: Fried calamari; shrimps in butter; and pastries filled with seafood Del Mare Salad

Main course: Grilled sea bass

Dessert: Chef’s special with ice cream

Unlimited local beverages: Wine; beer; and raki

£75 per person

Covers: Olive tapenade; pickled cucumbers; and tomatoes with tuna

Cold appetisers: Broad beans; sea peas or Mediterranean greens (depending on the season); marinated mackerel; mixed seafood salad; aubergine salad with tomato sauce; feta cheese

Hot appetizers: Shrimps in butter; roast fish; and fish ravioli Seasonal salad

Main course: Grilled sea bass

Dessert: Mixed platter of quince, pumpkin and Turkish dessert with syrup.

Unlimited local beverages: Wine; beer; and raki

£71 per person

Covers: Olive tapenade; pickled cucumbers; and tomatoes with tuna

Cold appetisers: Broad beans; sea peas or Mediterranean greens (depending on the season); mixed seafood salad; and broad beans in olive oil

Hot appetisers: Pastries filled with seafood and roast fish Seasonal salad

Main course: Oven-baked sea bass with spinach cream sauce

Dessert: Special Turkish dessert with syrup

Unlimited local beverages: Wine; beer; and raki

£60 per person

MENU IV

Covers: Butter and tulum cheese

Cold appetisers: Shepherd’s salad of tomatoes, onions, parsley, cucumber, pomegranate syrup and olive oil; traditional yoghurt with cucumber and mint; baba ghanoush of aubergine, tomatoes, peppers, parsley and garlic; acili ezme of aubergine, potatoes and yoghurt; panko of aubergine, potatoes and yoghurt; and cig kofte (steak tartare); and radish with mixed greens

Hot appetisers: Turkish pizza with minced meat; Turkish-style cheese pita; patlican dolmasi of aubergine, potatoes and yoghurt

Main course: Adana kebab (meat); shish kebab (chicken); and shish kebab (meat) served in that order

Dessert: Kadayif, pastry with pistachio filling in syrup

 

Culture & Museums

The rich and varied history of Istanbul comes alive during this full-day guided tour that takes in the classical, Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

You will be picked up from your hotel and visit the Hippodrome, which was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople and where chariot races were held in front of emperors and thousands of spectators.

The tour will then make its way to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of the tiles adorning its interior.

We’ll cross the landscaped gardens of Sultanahmet Square to Hagia Sophia, which for 1,000 years it was the most important church in Orthodox Christianity. After the Ottoman conquest it became a mosque and it is now a museum, a testament to man’s ingenuity and faith in God.

The next visits will be to the Milion Stone, the marker from which all distances were measured in the Byzantine Empire, and the Caferaga Madrasah cultural centre. Afterwards, we will enjoy a set Turkish lunch.

The first stop of the afternoon is the Arasta Bazaar close to the Blue Mosque and from there we’ll head for a couple of hours to the Topkapı Palace, the fabulous complex from where the Ottoman Empire was ruled by the sultans and where they kept their harem.

Our last call will be to the epic Grand Bazaar, which attracts up to 400,000 visitors daily to its more than 3,000 shops in 61 covered streets.

Pick-up from hotel at 8.30am with return from 6pm. An English-speaking guide will accompany the tour. If either Hagia Sophia or the Topkapi are closed, the underground Basilica Cistern will be visited. Transfers, admission and lunch are all included.

Lunch / Dinner

Assistance, guided tour

Transport

Admissions

£52 per person

 

Uncover some of Istanbul’s hidden gems with this full-day guided tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you by luxury coach to the Eminoni district to begin the adventure at the emblematic New Mosque, located on the Golden Horn at the southern end of the Galata Bridge.

Prepare yourself for the sensory experience of the Egyptian Bazaar, popularly known as the Spice Bazaar. You will have an hour to wander its colourful variety of stalls.

Then we will drive to Pierre Loti Hill for a cable car ride from which you will enjoy stunning panoramic views of the metropolis. It is named after a 19th century French adventurer and writer who liked to visit a tea house atop the hill for the views.

We’ll head back to the city for a traditional lunch at a fish restaurant on the lower level of the Galata Bridge from which you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the bosphorus. After lunch, we’ll visit the Galata Tower, a 14th century Genoese watchtower that’s one of the city’s symbols.

The next stop will be the vast Dolmabahce Palace, from where the last Ottoman sultans ruled their crumbling empire. Nearby is the neighbourhood of Ortakoy, which we’ll visit so that you can admire the Bosphorus Bridge that looms over it.

Finally, we’ll make our way to Taksim Square to wander the pedestrianised Istiklal Street and Flower Passage as well as visit St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. The area is famed for its boutiques, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, cafés, bars, restaurants and night clubs.

Hotel pick-up from 8.30am, with the excursion ending at about 6.30pm. All tickets and fees as well as guide and lunch are included. If the Dolmabahce Palace is closed, we’ll instead visit the Chora Museum. Languages: Includes services of an English-speaking guide.

Includes:

Lunch / Dinner

Transport

Assistance, guided tour

Admissions

£63 per person

 

This comprehensive full day tour is a perfect introduction to this magical city that straddles two continents. You'll visit Ottoman palaces, Roman fortresses, vibrant bazaars and cruise down the Bosphorous.

After being picked up from your hotel between 08.00 and 08.30 we'll head straight for the impressive Byzantine City Walls, finally breached by Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror in 1453. Next we'll head for the Golden Horn. This natural and extremely secure harbour played an important role in the development of Istanbul. Then we'll pay a visit to the 17th Century Egyptian Bazaar where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of every conceivable herb and spice.

Now it's time to a board the boat for an invigorating cruise along the Bosphorous, Istabul's lifeline, gliding past the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, the impressive Rumeli Fortress, the Hotel Kempinski and the Ortakoy Mosque. We'll cross to the Anatolian shore on the impressive Bosphorous suppression bridge, heading for the magnificent Beylerbehi Palace, the sumptuous summer residence of the Ottoman sultans. We'll climb to the summit of Camlica Hill, for unforgettable views over Istanbul and Bosphorous. Finally we'll stop off at a top leatherware outlet where you will have the opportunity pick up some great bargains before returning to your hotel between 17.00 and 17.30.

Information: Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, transfers and admissions.
Languages: Tour is available in English, Spanish, German, Italian and French. Please specify your preferred language in the remarks section of booking. All bookings where the language is not specified will be operated in English.

Istanbul is a city that spans two continents and the Bosphorous, the narrow straits separating Europe from Asia can be said to be the city's main artery and lifeline to the rest of the world. On this guided morning tour you will learn all the role of this waterway in this magical city's rich history, visitng the city's main sights before boarding a river cruiser for an exhilarating cruise on the Bosphorous.

After being picked up from your hotel between 08.00 and 08.30 we'll head straight for the impressive Byzantine City Walls, finally breached by the powerful cannon of Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror during the siege of Constantinople in 1453. Next we'll head for the Golden Horn. This natural and extremely secure harbour was vital for the development of Istanbul. Then we'll pay a visit to the 17th Century Egyptian Bazaar where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

Now it's time to a board ta river cruiser for a cruise along the Bosphorous, gliding past the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, the wooden villas and mansions of the rich and powerful as far as the Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror before returning to the hotel at 17.00.

Information: Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, transfers and admissions. Languages: Tour is available in English, Spanish, German, Italian and French. Please specify your preferred language in the remarks section of booking. All bookings where the language is not specified will be operated in English.

Includes:
Transport
Assistance
Guided tour
Admissions

£28 per person

 

Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorous

Discover Istanbul by night on this romantic evening cruise. Sip on your welcome drink as the sun sets on this most magical of cities and watch the famous monuments glide by. Then sit down to a top class dinner consisting of a incredible variety of buffet dishes, including mouth-watering Turkish specialities and a a choice selection of barbecued meats.

Enjoy a glass or two of local wine as you sit back and enjoy the spectacle of the twinkling lights on the European shore from Tarabya to Bebek. We'll cruise by Dolmabahce and Ciragan Palaces, the Golden Horn, the Rumeli Fortress and the Hotel Kempinski on the European Shore and on the Anatolian side the unforgettable spectacle of the floodlit Beylerbeyi Palace won the Bosphorous shoreline will seem like something out of a fairy tale. We'll cruise beneath the impressive Bosphorous suspension bridge, illuminated by an computerised lighting system of changing colours and patterns, as the dark waters of the Bosphorous reflect the pale moon and myriad stars. After an unforgettable evening we'll head back to the hotel where we'll arrive at around 24.00.

This evening excursion includes hotel pick up and drop off, all transfers, cruise and dinner with unlimited local drinks.