Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul

We'll meet in the hotel at 3 p.m. to get acquainted and take an orientation walk through our neighborhood. Then we'll plunge into the heart of historic Istanbul by visiting the nearby exquisite Blue Mosque. We'll top off the day with an introduction to Turkish cuisine at a local restaurant. Walking: light.

 

Day 2: The Ottoman City

Our exploration of Istanbul begins with a visit to the Ottoman Sultans' legendary Topkapı Palace and Harem. This afternoon we'll weave our way through the back streets of the Old Town, visiting the lively Grand Bazaar (the world's oldest shopping mall) and the 16th century Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. We'll wrap up our afternoon by exploring the exotic and fragrant Egyptian Spice Market — where "Turkish delights" are much more than candy. Walking: strenuous.

 

Day 3: Byzantine Constantinople

Today we'll focus on the time the city was known as Constantinople, the eastern capital of the Roman Empire. We'll visit the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia church — for 1,000 years the grandest domed structure in the Western world — and the mysterious Underground Cistern from ancient Roman days. This afternoon we'll examine some of the world's finest Byzantine mosaics at the Chora Church and then explore the ancient city walls. Our day will end with a walk through the laundry, hookahs, and hollering vendors of the colorful Fener neighborhood on the Golden Horn. Walking: strenuous.

 

Day 4: Contemporary Istanbul

We'll explore the cosmopolitan side of Istanbul today with a walking tour of the New District, with its silk shops, trendy boutiques and tea houses all along the pedestrian-packed İstiklal Street. We'll find our way back to the Old Town by way of the Galata Bridge, rubbing elbows with local fishermen as we cross the Golden Horn. Tonight you may want to rejuvenate yourself with an authentic Turkish bath. Walking: moderate.

 

Day 5: The Bosphorus and a Taste of Asia

Today is devoted to the Bosphorus, the strait separating Europe and Asia. We'll take a scenic cruise on this busy waterway, seeing grand palaces, cozy neighborhoods and the bustling life of Istanbul. We'll disembark on Asia, in the Kadiköy district, and explore this colorful neighborhood before heading "back to Europe." Boat: 3 hrs. Walking: light.

 

Day 6: Pieces of the Mosaic