Pearls of Istanbul

Istanbul is unique among the great cities of the world.  It straddles two continents, Europe and Asia.  Its history encompasses three major civilizations of the ancient world:  Roman, Greek, and Byzantine.  Not to mention its history as the center of the Ottoman Empire.  And, all that history is visible on almost every street corner with modern buildings perched atop ancient ruins and remnants of ancient walls lining today’s bustling streets.  It is truly a feast for the eyes and mind.

This Istanbul Day Tour is a special private tour of a few places in Istanbul that are difficult to visit on your own.  You will visit monuments from Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman history, including the Suleymaniye Mosque (Ottoman) and Chora Church (Byzantine).  Suleymaniye Mosque, which dominates Istanbul’s skyline, was built for Suleyman the Magnificent between 1550-7 by the great Sinan.  It included a hospital, soup kitchen, schools, a caravanserai, and hamam.  Chora Church contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, depicting the life of Christ.  In addition, you will go up Pierre Loti Hill for its view of the Golden Horn and where you will stop for a tea break, and drive through the old Greek (Fener) and Jewish (Balat) neighborhoods.  You will also visit Dolmabache Palace (Ottoman) with its crystal staircase and chandelier, supposedly the heaviest in the world.  Ataturk died in Dolmabahce Palace and the clocks all have been stopped at the hour of his death, 9:05 AM, on November 10, 1938.

Pearls of Istanbul