Istanbul, this is a great way to start your holiday in Turkey or if you are just passing through this exotic city. Because we believe that you have not seen Turkey if you haven't seen Istanbul. Istanbul is a city which re-creates itself all the time. Istanbul's streets reflect the European and Turkish and Balkan and Middle Eastern way of life, all coming together in a strange but beautiful harmony. You may extend your stay and request further information about our tours to highlights of Turkey from our office in Sultanahmet.
 
   
 

 

 
  Irresistanbul

 Imperial Istanbul

 Istanbul Two Continents

 Constantinople - Istanbul

 Istanbul on Foot
The Orient

Istanbul Getaway
Istanbul & Ephesus

Unknown Istanbul
Istanbul & Cappadocia

Istanbul - Bursa

Istanbul Shore Excursions

Glorious Istanbul

Timeless City		   The Orient Istanbul                                                                 
Day 1:  Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, you will be met by an Ayala Travel representative and transferred to your hotel. You have the afternoon and evening free to relax and/or check out the city. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Sultanahmet.
 
Day 2:  Tour of Pera
Meeting tour guide at hotel lobby. We then continue to Taksim Square and walk to Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), the heart of Beyoglu. Built during the 19th century, this is the more modern district of Istanbul. The city's most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street, now reserved for pedestrians, is lined with boutiques, cafes, consulates, restaurants, galleries, cinemas, banks, and more, with residential apartments above.

When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople (Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi) and its half-European, half-Asian culture. Halfway along the avenue toward the southwest is Galatasaray Square, easily recognizable by the grand gates to Galatasaray Lisesi, the first European-style lycée (high school) erected by the Ottoman government.

See the Church of St. Anthony, established in 1725 to serve transient foreigners and the many families who stayed on in the Sultan's dominions. Afterwards, walk to the historic Pera Palas Hotel, built to accommodate the pampered travellers arriving aboard the Orient Express including Agatha Christie. Next is Galata Mevlevihane, the monastery of Whirling Dervishes, founded by a descendant of Rumi in the 1490s.

Afterwards walk to the Galata district and see the Galata Tower, which has dominated Beyoglu's skyline since 1348 and still offers stunning panoramic views of the city. From the 1500s onward, Galata was mostly Jewish. As recently as the late 20th century, Galata rang with the songs and street-games of Jewish children speaking Ladino (Judeo-Spanish). Today most of Istanbul's Jews live in more desirable residential quarters, though Galata's synagogues are still in use.

We then take the tram built in 1875, which is Europe's 2nd oldest and perhaps the world's shortest subway Tunel, 573 meters, the trip takes 1.5 minutes rather than a 20 minute walk down the steepest streets of Istanbul. From there we walk a few minutes to Galata Bridge to enjoy lunch under the bridge almost on the waters of Golden Horn. We highly recommend seafood here. Before driving back to the hotel we stop shortly to see the last stop of the once most luxurious train from Europe "The Orient Express", Sirkeci Train Station is literally where the railway from Europe physically ends. You may ask your guide for the best Turkish Bath for a relaxing evening after a long but splendid day sightseeing the Oriental Istanbul.
Day 3:  Istanbul
Free day ay leisure. Or you may ask our office for other options.
 		  
     

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