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Istanbul Shore Excursions /
Timeless City
After meeting with your guide in front of the Istanbul Karakoy Port passenger terminal, begin your drive to the Old Town. Cross over the Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, to drive along the old city walls of Constantinople to arrive at Chora (Kariye) Museum. The Chora Church is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church. The Chora Church is not as grand in stature as some of the other Byzantine churches of Istanbul, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the exquisite beauty of its interior golden mosaic decorations and frescoes depicting the life of Jesus Christ. Continue on to Byzantine Cistern, also built by Emperor Justinian for the purpose of storing water against the threat of siege. The cistern features a forest of Roman Columns and you will find no other structure with such architecture any place else in the world. It is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie beneath the city. With a few minutes walk we reach the Ancient Hippodrome where the chariot races took place more than 1000 years ago. The centre divide (spina) is decorated with the Egyptian Obelisk which is 1 of few around the world and the Serpentine and Bronze Columns dating back to Roman and Byzantine times. We then visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Cami), which dominates the silhouette of Istanbul's skyline with its unique six minarets. Built and named by Sultan Ahmet II in the early 17th century. The most fascinating tiles and totally hand made decorations one could see in a Mosque. We have lunch in the area at a local restaurant serving Turkish Cuisine. Your last stop will be the Nur-u Osmaniye district, where the Grand Bazaar is located. Here you will have the chance to shop in the worlds oldest biggest Bazaar with more than 4000 shops under 1 roof, for the handmade fine quality; souvenirs, rugs, leather, ceramics and so much more that Istanbul is famous for. Your guide and driver will farewell you from Karakoy Port for your next destination on your cruise. |
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