<<< Please get in touch with me, if you wish certain dates for the trip >>> Hi, Wanderlust fellow! You want to visit Istanbul? But don't know where to start and what to do? Afraid of tourist traps? I hear you. My name is Gülçin. Call me GG. I am a history and culture geek based in Istanbul. And during this trip, I will be leading you. Don't worry! we will get along as long as you consider yourself a history and culture geek ;) Let's see what the trip is basically about: The trip will be for 4 days starting from the heart of Istanbul; "Sultanahmet" the old town where most of Ottoman and Byzantine history is based. Plus, the attractions of the old town are very close to one another, so, we will get those places on foot:) After the old town, we will visit "slightly" the modern part of the city and enjoy the breeze of sea. Since this trip will be culture and history-oriented — and I know, you are particularly seeking that ;) — we will be visiting the most famous museums and attractions of the city. Yay! Plus, we will experience delicious Turkish cuisine and enjoy the bustle of the town while sipping our coffee. We will walk on the famous Istiklal Street in Taksim, and pay a visit to Pera Palace - the oldest and most famous hotel in Istanbul in which Ataturk, Hitchcock, Agatha Christie, and many celebrities had stayed. We can also have coffee and try delicious chocolates at Patisserie de Pera, a famous cafe in the hotel. At night, we will go to a pub — there are plenty of nice pubs in Beşiktaş and Taksim. Accommodation: We will stay at a hostel for 3 nights — a Standard 6 Bed Dorm Ensuite. (For private room you need to pay extra for the hostel). On the last day, after we check out, we can leave our bags at the luggage storage and enjoy our last hours ;) In case of in need, make sure to take more cash with you before you actually take the trip. You will also need an Istanbul Public Transport Card. You can buy it at the airport station. What is included in the cost? - Accommodation (hostel, shared rooms) - Breakfast - Local Guide *Additional Costs: Lunch, dinner, coffee, museum tickets, tramway, Istanbul Public Transport Card, alcohol. << Private room option >> (Not included in price) <<< Extra service: Pick-up from airport >>> (Not included in price) Ps. Allianz Travel Insurance is provided by JoinMyTrip for German and Austrian residents. Hope to meet you in person and see you there! :)
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Incredible experience I had exploring Istanbul with Gulcin as my guide! Her warmth and enthusiasm for sharing the rich history and culture of this beautiful and complex city were infectious. Gulcin's deep knowledge of ancient scriptures and hieroglyphs added a fascinating layer to our journey, making each site we visited come alive with stories from the past. And let's not forget about Dilara, Gulcin's delightful friend who joined us for part of the journey! Her infectious laughter and easygoing nature added an extra layer of fun to our adventures. Thank you, Gulcin, for being an exceptional guide and for sharing your love for Istanbul with me. I'll cherish the memories of this trip forever, and I can't wait to return and explore even more with your expert guidance!"
Topkapı Palace will be our first stop. There, we will spend a couple of hours. Our next stop will be the Blue Mosque. Afterwards, we will go to have lunch at Galataport, a nice port-like place at the seaside.
2
Galataport Istanbul
Day 1
Our third stop will be Galataport located in Kabatas. It's a nice place with sea view. We will go there by tram. After we have our lunch and spend some time there, we'll go back to Sultanahmet by tram.
3
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Day 1
In the evening, we will have dinner at the square. Then, we will stroll around the square and enjoy the hippodrome. We will first visit the Obelisk of Theodosius, then the Serpent Column and Column of Constantine and lastly the German Fountain. After 8 pm, we will pay a visit to Hagia Sophia. Note that: There is always a long cue for Hagia Sophia during day light. It does not come to an end before 8 pm. So, the best time to visit there will be after 8 pm.
4
Taksim Square
Day 1-2
On our second day, we will go for a walk on the famous Istikal Street in Taksim. We will pay a visit to the Republic Monument in the Taksim Square and take photos and stroll around. After our visit to the Republic Monument at the square, we will visit the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. Later on, we will visit Galata Tower. At Galata Tower, you will be able to enjoy the view from the top of it. After Galata Tower, we will pay a visit Pera Palace. There, we will enjoy the historical hotel.
5
Dolmabahçe Palace
Day 2-3
On our third day, we again will take the tram and get off at the Kabataş station. We will visit the Dolmabahçe Palace — a more modern palace by the Ottoman. There, we will spend quite some time. After we are done, we can go to one of the cafes nearby, and have something to eat/drink.
6
Beşiktaş
Day 3
After the palace ,we will go to Beşiktaş and have coffee with delicious desserts at a very cozy cafe:) Then, we will visit The Istanbul Naval Museum. Afterwars, we will go to Yıldız Park. (Yildiz Park, Photo credit: istanbeautiful.com)
7
Basilica Cistern
Day 3-4
On our fourth —also our last day, we will go to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Spending some time there, our next stop will be the Basilica Cistern. At the Basilica Cistern, we will see the biggest cistern (water storage) of Constantinople.
8
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Day 4
Afterwards, we will pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum. At the museum, we will spend quite a time since there is so much to see. All the Greek, Roman artefacts which were found in Anatolia are exhibited at the museum.
9
Gülhane Park
Day 4
At Gülhane Park, we will visit the Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam. We can also visit the Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library — one of the significant poets of Turkish history. Lastly, we will have a coffee break at one of the cafés located in the park.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel
4 days trip
Topkapı Palace, Galataport Istanbul & 7 more
Transportation
Train, Other, Trekking
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Turkey
Turkey
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