Summary:
Embark on an exclusive tour through 2,600 years of history in the only city in the world situated on two continents, Europe and Asia. During your private tour, your English Speaking licensed tour guide will lead you through the remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and through the thriving modern day commercial hub of Istanbul.   During this full day, escorted and guided tour, our Guests will have the opportunity to explore Istanbul's most well known historical sites including: The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Topkapi Palace Treasury and Diamond, St. Sophia, Ancient Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar.  At the completion of this fascinating and exclusive 7 to 8 hour tour, our Guests will have photos and memories that last a lifetime.  

                                                                                      Overview:
Waiting on your ship's pier at the time of your preference will be your professional, English speaking licensed tour guide. Holding a sign with your group's name, your tour guide will escort you to your waiting driver and private, clean, late - model vehicle. Sit back and relax in the comfort of your private vehicle as you talk with your guide about the history, culture, and customs of Istanbul and Turkey.  

Topkapi Palace will be first stop on your tour. Built in the mid 1400s by Mehmet II, Topkapi was designed to be the summer palace for three centuries of Sultans. However, Suleiman the Magnificent enlarged Topkapi, added gardens and buildings, enabling the Palace to become the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Today, the enormous great walled complex on the banks of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, is home to an incredible collection of Chinese porcelain, treasures, artifacts and history.  

The most well known artifact in the Topkapi Palace is that of the diamond. This tour includes the Topkapi Palace Treasury, home to 86 carat, pear shaped diamond.

Continue back in time to  St. Sophia, formerly the cathedral of Constantinople and later in 1453 after the conquer of the area by Ottoman Turks, turned into a mosque. From 1453 to 1935, St. Sophia served as a model for the building of other Ottoman Mosques including the Blue Mosque. In 1935, the Mosque was converted to a museum by the Republic of Turkey. During your tour, you will be amazed by massive dome and the extensive interior decorated with marble, precious stones, and pillars from Ephesus.

Your exploration of Istanbul continues with a visit to the Blue Mosque. One of the city's most recognizable landmarks, the Blue Mosque is such named for the more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles adorning the walls of its interior. As you approach the Mosque, your guide will point out the six minarets which adorn the historical landmark. As you visit its interior, become in awe of the stained glass windows and the fine details used in the construction of the Mosque between 1609 and 1616.

The Ancient Hippodrome will be the next historical location you can explore. For nearly 1,000 years, during the
Byzantium Era, the Hippodrome was the focal point of citizens. In this open square, nearly 250,000 spectators would watch sporting events such as chariot races. Overtime, much of the original structure was destroyed. However, your guide will show you some of the remaining statues and structures including The Serpent Column and The Walled Obelisk.

The Grand Bazaar will be the final stop on your complete exploration of Istanbul. It is here, in one of the largest and oldest covered marketplaces in the world, where you will find thousands of vendors spread over 58 streets. If you and your group are interested in shopping, your guide will assist you in anyway possible. The stores are grouped by category and is well known for its wide selection of stores selling jewelry, pottery, spice, leather, and carpets. Be prepared to bargain and have fun. 

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, including your thorough exploration of Istanbul. As you are driven back to your ship, The Guest Planners Team hopes your tour was filled with amazement and memories that will last a lifetime. When you arrive at your cruise ship, although the tour may have come to an end, you will always be a part of The Guest Planners "Family." 

Our guides have extensive knowledge and expertise of the history, customs, and culture of Istanbul while our friendly and safe drivers have extensive knowledge to the layout of the streets. Unlike the restrictions for large coach buses, your driver will do his or her best to drive you in your private vehicle to as close to the site as allowed by law. Additionally, if you have any specific requests or you would prefer to focus your tour on a specific area of Istanbul, your driver and guide will do their best to accomodate your needs.

                                                                        Customize Your Tour:
This is an exclusive tour which can be customized for your group. If you would like to focus your tour on a specific aspect of Istanbul, or spend more time visiting a site, your private tour guide and driver will do their best to accommodate your requests. Highlights of this tour include:

The Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace Treasury and Diamond
St. Sophia
Ancient Hippodrome
The Grand Bazaar

                                                                                       Notes:
The tour can be customized to your preference. The order of the tour may be modified to maximize your time and enjoyment. While we will make every attempt to include all parts of the tour as listed above, there is the slight possibility that for reasons beyond our control,  an aspect of the tour will need to be skipped, replaced, or modified. On days in which a site is closed, your tour guide will either add another site or extend your exploration at a site already included in this tour. St. Sophia is closed on Mondays and Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday. While we suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and clothing, please respect local customs of covering shoulders and knees when visiting a religious site. Guests will walk approximately 1.25 miles and climb approximately 50 steps over the duration of the tour. Because of the cobblestone streets and the walking required, this tour may not be suitable for Guests needing the use of wheel chairs or who have difficulty in walking. When walking, please use caution. For your protection and convenience, payment must be made through credit card on The Guest Planners secure payment processing system. We will be happy to accept multiple credit cards for your group. During the tour, we suggest leaving valuables in your onboard safe and only carrying a minimal amount of cash. Our extremely competitive pricing is below. If you have any further questions or if The Guest Planners Team can be of any assistance, including making a reservation, or customizing a tour for your group, please call (305) 933 - 4888 or E-mail Reservations@TheGuestPlanners.com. We look forward to you joining our "Family." Thank you!

Discounts: The Guest Planners Team offers private tours throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States. We are happy to offer the following "Family" discounts when all tours are booked together:
3 or 4 tours - 5% discount on tour
5 or more tours - 10% discount on tour

Reservations: Please call (305) 933 - 4888 or E-mail Reservations@TheGuestPlanners.com.   Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to The Guest Planners "Family."

Cancelation Policy and Terms and Conditions: If your cruise ship misses the port of call for any reason, you will receive a full refund. However, if you need to cancel, The Guest Planners policy is as follows:
14 days or more prior to your tour - No Penalty
8 to 13 days prior to your tour - 25% Penalty
4 to 7 days prior to your tour - 50% Penalty
3 or fewer days prior to your tour - 100% Penalty

The Guest Planners offers our Guests competitive Travel Insurance from Access America and Travel Guard. We will be happy to provide you the best available rate. For more information, please visit our Travel Insurance Page which can also be found by clicking here.

Please note that anything not expressly written as being "included" such as food, gratuities, personal expenditures and entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included in the above pricing. 

All Guests touring with The Guest Planners, prior to making a reservation, agree to our Terms and Conditions which can be found on our Terms and Conditions Page. Thank You!