Vital Statistics

  • + 3 hrs GMT
  • Fly to: Ataturk International Airport – Istanbul
  • Travel time from UK: 3.5 hrs (average)
  • Transfer time from airport to city centre: 35 minutes

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Our comments

Straddling the Bosphorus River, Istanbul is one of the truly great romantic cities. Its history tracks back from Byzantium to Constantinople to its place at the head of the Ottoman Empire. Today it hums as Turkey's cultural heart and good-time capital.

Istanbul is not just mosques and museums. Though the city is replete with historical attractions, modern Istanbul is now as famous for its nightlife as it is for its monuments and the city's rooftop bar scene is certainly something to be experienced. 

Turkey is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.  While costs are rising, Turkey remains one of the Mediterranean's bargain-basement destinations.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 

  • Arrival at Ataturk International Airport 
  • Transfer to Hotel incorporating an introduction of the City
  • Check-in at the hotel, traditional welcome with Turkish coffee.  
  • Time at leisure to relax
  • Welcome dinner at the exquisite Esma Sultan Yalisi, built for an Ottoman Princess on the banks of the Bosphorus.

Day 2 

  • Explore the spectacular peninsula of Istanbul. Visit the Hippodrome, Obelisk, Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia
  • Visit Istanbul's most historical Cagaloglu Hammam to experience a Turkish bath and traditional massage.
  • Lunch and entertainment at the Cagaloglu Hammam
  • Explore and experience the atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar with over 4400 shops
  • Cocktail cruise along the Bosphorus with dinner at the Maidens Tower, one of Istanbul's distinctive landmarks

Day 3

  • Cruise across the Marmara Sea to Princes’ Island, explore the Island by horse drawn carriage
  • Lunch in a typical fish restaurant, overlooking the sea
  • Visit the spectacular residence of Ottomans Sultans—Dolmabache Palace
  • Cocktails and dinner at the historical 1001 Basilica Cistern, an ornate water cistern built in the 6th century with entertainment.

Day 4

  • Arrival into the old town and visit Topkapi Palace
  • Lunch in the Konyali Restaurant located inside the Palace
  • Free time to catch up on some last minute shopping
  • Transfer to the Airport for return flight