Well recovered for over 1,500 years, St. Sophia is named as one of the most remarkable museums in the world. Two stories of ancient history confronts everyone in this well preserved structure.

After leaving St. Sophia, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum will be the next stop. The museum, across from the Blue Mosque, is a treasure-trove of beautiful objects from the Ottoman (14th to 20th centuries), Seljuk (11th to 13th centuries), and earlier periods beginning in the 8th century.

You will also have the opportunity to do some haggling at the Grand Bazaar, with it's 4400 shops! The tour will conclude at the Hippodrome just in the middle of Sultan Ahmet area.

Please note:
The Grand Bazaar is not open on Sundays.

Under the romantic backdrop of minarets and mosques, like a step out of time stands the ancient city of Istanbul.

The only city in the world built on two continents, Europe and Asia, standing on the shores of Bosphorus and guarding the precious relics of the world-dominating empires Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman which has been the capital, a unique link between the east and west, past and the present.

Art treasures and architectural works will evoke your feelings of nostalgia. Modern day Istanbul boasts the best of both continents. With a colorful history and vibrant past, vividly alive, Istanbul today offers you a unique insight into variety of cultures.

Primarily a guided city tour, you do have the option to hop on and off at a few of the stops enroute. Please see below for a full listing

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and is the leading industrial, commercial and cultural center. The population of the city is estimated to be more than 10 million.

On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the following historic sites:

Hippodrome:
Once the site of a Roman Imperial Palace and later of horse-drawn chariot races. Here is located the famous obelisk from Egypt, a remarkable pink granite monument built 3,500 years ago by an Egyptian pharo and brought to Byzantium in the 4th century.

Blue Mosque:
Just across the Hippodrome, showing itself as one of the most famous monuments in both Turkish and Islamic worlds is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque). One of the truly superb creations in the classical Turkish architectural style, it stands unique with six towering minarets and 260 windows that illuminate its vast main chamber decorated with more than 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles.

St. Sophia:
One of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world. The Saint Sophia Museum was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, it was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. It has been nominated to be the 8th wonder of the world by many historians. Take a moment to linger here to absorb the majestic serenity and admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.

Topkapi Palace:
Now, for what many people consider as one of the most unique places in the world, as well as being the world's largest and oldest Palace: The Topkapi Palace and Museum. Here is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire, showing its treasures.

Please note:
The Grand Bazaar is not open on Sundays and St Sophia is not open on Mondays.