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SHORE EXCURSIONS
ISTANBUL
(Sample Programs)
Welcome to Turkey. Matiana travel
offers you an unbelievable
experience. Mainly cruise ships
stops at 2 ports, Kusadasi and
Istanbul and we are arranging
special tours to explore those
places. Different than group tour,
this private tour let you spend time
as long as you want and you will be
the only person who decides the pace
of the tour. For each destination we
are suggesting one classic one more
specific tour in each port but
regarding your interest we can
always add some more places. Below
you can see our suggested programs;
Istanbul:
Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city
and at the same time it is the
cultural and financial centre of the
country, where East meets West and
the traditional and the modern live
side by side. With the Western half
of Istanbul in Europe & the Eastern
in Asia with the Bosphorus Strait
flowing between them, it is the only
metropolis in the world situated on
two continents. Surrounded on three
sides by water and spread over seven
hills it is easy to see why the city
was chosen as joint European Capital
of Culture for 2010.
Istanbul Classic:
Upon your disembarkation, you will
meet with your guide and start your
tour by driving the heart of the
city. Istanbul, served as a capital
city for Empire of Byzantium (4th-15th
centuries) and Ottoman (16th-20th
centuries) and as a consequence, old
city adorned with magnificent
monuments. We start with Hagia
Sophia, built in 6th
century with huge dome. It was the
biggest cathedral for decades where
you can see the best “Deisis” from
12th century. Then we
will continue with the marvelous
Topkapi palace that served as
the palace of the Ottoman Sultans
between the 16th and 19th centuries.
We will have opportunity to see the
Treasury, where the extensive
exhibits include priceless
world-class collections of jewelry
including “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”,
porcelain, textiles and costumes of
the Sultans. After lunch break in
one of the most famous restaurants
serving the best examples of Turkish
Cuisine,
Blue
Mosque will be our next
stop where you will be stunned by
the fascinating architecture and the
blue Iznik Tiles where the name of
the mosque comes from. It still
serves as a mosque and keeps it
alive with vibrant atmosphere.
Underground or Basilica
Cistern is the “sine qua non”
for this part with its 336 columns.
Grand Bazaar will be our last
stop which dates back to Byzantine
period. You will get lost while
checking the shops and items. Little
information: Grand Bazaar has more
than 3500 shops.
Duration:
5 ½ hours
Activity:
Modarate
Important Notes:
You are supposed to have your
shoulders and knees covered when you
are visiting the mosques. It is
better to wear sneakers, non
slippery shoes and hat during your
tour. Flash is not permitted in
museums.
Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays
and Topkapi Palace is closed on
Tuesdays. They will be replaced with
Chora Museum on those days.
Istanbul Hidden treasures:
Smells
of the spices will welcome us before
entering the famous Egyptian
Market or Spice Market
located in the busy part of the
city. Outside of the market is as
interesting as inside. While we are
wandering around, we will reach the
Rustem Pasa Mosque where you
can see the best tiles in Istanbul.
While we are getting amazed with
those decoration materials, it is
better to visit the most interesting
Byzantine churches in the city the
Church of the Holy Savior of
Chora. The mosaics and frescoes
are far the most important and
extensive series of Byzantine
paintings in the city and among the
best and the most beautiful in the
world. So we will have chance to
compare them. We start our day with
good smells and let’s continue with
good taste and have our lunch in
Asitane Restaurant where you can
taste the real Ottoman food which
was traditionally made in Ottoman
Palaces. Then we will continue with
fascinating Dolmabahce Palace
which will be the best option to see
the European Influence in Ottoman
times. This magnificent imperial
palace built between 1843 and 1856
that represents the westernization
of the Ottoman Empire. Crystal
Staircases, Baccarat Crystal
Chandeliers and Candleholders,
Limoges Fireplaces are worth to see.
Our last stop will be the Galata
Tower built by the Genoese in
1348 and you will watch the Istanbul
with all its glory…
Duration:
5 ½ - 6hours
Activity:
Modarate
Important
Notes: You are supposed to
have your shoulders and knees
covered when you are visiting the
mosques. It is better to wear
sneakers, non slippery shoes and hat
during your tour. Flash is not
permitted in museums and photography
is not allowed inside of Dolmabahce
Palace.
Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays and
Thursdays and Chora Church is closed
on Wednesday. They will be replaced
with Chora Museum on those days. On
those days please ask for other
options that can be switched.
Joint between Asia & Europe:
You will be met upon your arrival by
your guide and your private car in
the port. You will start your tour
driving to the Asian side via the
Bosphorus Bridge which is 1025
meters long and the first one that
was built to connect both sides of
the city. You will see the Bosphorus
Strait above while driving and you
will be on another continent in a
few minutes. Then you will continue
to Camlica Hill where you can see
Istanbul and Bosphorus from
different aspects. You will have
your tea in a traditional thin waist
glass or you can taste Salep which
is a hot milky drink with cinnamon
on it. After your break you will
drive to Beylerbeyi Palace which was
built in 19th century as
a summer palace. It looks like
Dolmabahce with its architecture and
design. After your visit you will
drive back to the port.
Duration:
4 hours
Activity:
Easy
Important
Notes: It is better to wear
sneakers, non slippery shoes and hat
during your tour. Photography is not
allowed inside of Beylerbeyi Palace.
Please note that Camlýca Hill has a
ramp and some steps.
Beylerbeyi is closed on Sundays and
Thursdays. On those days please ask
for other options that can be
switched.
Bosphorus Cruise:
After your disembarkation you will
drive to
Hagia
Sophia, built in 6th
century with huge dome. It was the
biggest cathedral for decades where
you can see the best “Deisis” from
12th century. Then our
next stop will be Grand Bazaar
which dates back to Byzantine
period. You will get lost while
checking the shops and items. Little
information: Grand Bazaar has more
than 3500 shops.
After a delicious lunch, you will
drive to the pier to embark your
private boat for a 2 hours cruise on
Bosphorus. While sailing, you will
drink your local wine and enjoy your
private cruise.
Duration:
5 hours
Activity:
Easy
Important
Notes: It is better to wear
sneakers, non slippery shoes and hat
during your tour. Flash is not
permitted in museums.
Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.
It will be replaced with Chora
Museum or Topkapi Palace on those
days.
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