Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Arrive at Istanbul Airport and be met by our representative in the arrivals hall. Transfer to your hotel in the heart of Istanbul. The city greets you immediately with its extraordinary atmosphere – minarets piercing the sky, the smell of simit and çay drifting from street carts, the distant call to prayer echoing across the Golden Horn. The day is free at leisure – perhaps take a gentle first walk along the Bosphorus waterfront or explore the neighbourhood around your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul Classic Tour – Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is dedicated to the most spectacular collection of historic monuments in Europe – all within walking distance of each other in the Sultanahmet district. Begin at the Hippodrome – the ancient chariot racing track at the heart of Byzantine Constantinople, still marked by the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius (1,500 years old), the Serpent Column (2,500 years old), and the Constantine Column. Continue to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the nerve centre of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years – a vast complex of gilded pavilions, imperial courtyards, the treasured Harem, and the extraordinary Treasury containing the Topkapi Dagger, the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, and the sacred relics of the Prophet Muhammad.

Explore the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia – a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral converted to a mosque in 1453, whose 31-metre dome was the engineering wonder of the ancient world. The layers of civilisation visible in its interior – Byzantine mosaics above, Ottoman calligraphy panels below – are extraordinary. Conclude at the Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque – the only mosque in the world with six minarets, its vast interior decorated with over 21,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles in 50 shades of blue, and flooded with natural light through 260 windows. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise & Grand Bazaar

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning on the legendary Bosphorus – the narrow strait dividing Europe and Asia that has defined Istanbul’s geography and strategic importance for three millennia. A Bosphorus cruise reveals a city that can only be truly understood from the water: the Ottoman waterfront palaces (yalis) lining the shores, the medieval Rumeli fortress, the Ortakoy Mosque beneath the Bosphorus Bridge, and the rolling Asian hills beyond. The constantly changing panorama of minarets, bridges, tankers, fishing boats, and residential neighbourhoods is one of the world’s great urban boat journeys.

In the afternoon, explore the Grand Bazaar – one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops in 61 streets, founded in 1461. The labyrinth of gold, silver, carpets, ceramics, spices, leather goods, lanterns, and textiles is a sensory experience like no other. Haggling is expected, complimentary çay is offered at every carpet shop, and getting lost in its alleyways is entirely part of the pleasure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Bursa & Ulu Mountain Tour with Spice Bazaar

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a full-day excursion to Bursa – the first Ottoman capital and one of Turkey’s most historically significant cities, approximately 2 hours from Istanbul. Begin at the extraordinary Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), a 14th-century Seljuk masterpiece of 20 domes and a two-storey fountain within the prayer hall. Continue to the cable car for the ascent to Uludag Mountain – rising to over 2,500 metres above Bursa, the mountain offers sweeping panoramic views over the entire Marmara region and the city below. Enjoy lunch in Bursa and explore the historic city centre with its restored covered bazaars and traditional silk market.

Return to Istanbul via the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) – the aromatic 17th-century covered market built in 1664, piled high with pyramids of vivid spices, dried fruits, lokum (Turkish delight), baklava, and the famous rose-water and amber pastes of the Ottoman pharmacopoeia. The surrounding streets are equally excellent for street food, fresh produce, and traditional Ottoman confectionery. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 5: Princess Island (Büyükada)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take the scenic ferry from Istanbul’s Kabatas terminal to Büyükada – the largest of the nine Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea, and one of Istanbul’s most beloved escapes. The islands are entirely car-free, and the only transport is by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle – a magical contrast to the noise and energy of the city. Büyükada’s Victorian wooden mansions, Orthodox monasteries, pine-scented hillsides, and waterfront fish restaurants create an atmosphere of extraordinary peace.

Visit the Aya Yorgi (St George) Church and Monastery perched on the island’s highest hill for breathtaking views across the Marmara Sea and the surrounding islands. Explore the elegant streets lined with historic wooden mansions, enjoy leisurely walks through pine forests, and relax along the charming waterfront promenade. You may also enjoy fresh seafood at one of the island’s famous seaside restaurants or rent a bicycle to explore the island at your own pace.

Later in the afternoon, board the ferry back to Istanbul while admiring panoramic views of the city skyline from the sea. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 6: Istanbul Airport – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some final moments exploring Istanbul or relaxing at your hotel before check-out.

Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight home, carrying unforgettable memories of the Ottoman grandeur, Byzantine masterpieces, Bosphorus beauty, and timeless atmosphere of Turkey’s most iconic city.