Turkey Escapade

Arrive at the Istanbul new Airport and be greeted by our English-speaking representative. Transfer from the airport to the hotel, where you will settle into your room and spend the rest of the day at your own pace.
In the evening, you will be greeted by our representative who shall escort you to the local pier, where you will board the great Bosphorus for a spectacular dinner and dance show.
Menu: The Bosphorus welcomes with you a mélange of local food and drinks. Various different types of starters will be followed by the scrumptious main dishes like grilled chicken, fish, meatballs etc, which will be served along with rice and other accompaniments. Prepare to be enthralled by a series of local dance performances, from folk to Dervish to Belly dancing; all while cruising in the clear waters being greeted by the cool night’s breeze, it will surely be a night to remember. After the party comes to an end, you will be transferred back to the hotel in Istanbul and you can retire for a good night’s sleep!
Meals included: Dinner 

Enjoy a hearty breakfast after which you embark on your Old city Tour.
Visit the astoundingly beautiful Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the sultans for over 300 years. Constructed between the years 1465 and 1478, the palace is a fine specimen of the workmanship and architecture of Turkey. The official government seat for the Ottoman Empire, the palace has a harem and a court which is a sight to behold. Home to the 7^th largest diamond in the world, the Spoonmaker’s diamond which is displayed in the Treasury section, the Palace is ornate. You can witness the sacred leavings from Prophet Mohammad (PBU) at the Holy Mantle. (You have to pay a separate Harem fee if you wish to experience the same).
Your next stop will be the Hippodrome which dates back to the Byzantine Empire. Know to be the one of the largest chariot race grounds back in the day; it is home to the Egyptian Obelisk which was brought from Egypt, by the great Emperor Theodosius.  You can also witness the Serpentine Column (Tripod of Plataea) which was brought from the Temple of Apollo situated in Delphi. There is also the Tiled column by Constantine Porphyrogenitus dating back to the 10^th century A.D. which will catch your attention.
The next place you will visit today is the ethereal Blue Mosque, which is one of the most valued monuments located in Istanbul. It took 7 years to build, back in (1606 AD) and was created by the order of Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire. The courtyard is embellished with the stunning view of the domes. The colour predominantly used in creating this holy place is a brilliant shade of Iznik blue. Back in the 17^th century Iznik tile production was on a high.
(You will have lunch at a local restaurant for the authentic experience)
Post lunch, you will visit  St. Sophia, The church of the Divine Wisdom, which is nothing short of an architectural wonder. Built in 537 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian, it is one of the greatest churches, until the conquest of Constantinople made by Sultan Mehmet II in 1453. This was when the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. In the year 1934, the place was declared a museum and people from across the world have visited here to see it in all its glory.
Visit the Grand Bazaar next which is one of the oldest in Turkey, with as many as 4000 shops. Choose from a wide range of local handicrafts, rare jewels, carpets, antiques, home ware, copperware, gold, books as well as souvenirs.  There are hidden courtyards that you can explore as well as kiosks and marble fountains that you can get the perfect pictures with. This is one of the places where you will find the most authentic local experience.
At the end of the day you will be transferred back to the hotel where you can enjoy dinner. Overnight stay is also at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch 
 

Enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel and spend half the day at leisure. In the afternoon you will be greeted by our representative to escort you to your Cable Car and Bosphorus Tour. The first stop in the tour is the City walls which were first breached by the Fourth Crusade in the year 1204. The second attack was done by troops of Sultan Mehmet the conqueror in the year 1453. After this you proceed to visit the Golden Horn area, a natural harbor which has been extremely secure. It is noteworthy that the Golden horn has been an important instrument in the growth and development of Istanbul. The inlet is the separation in the European shore. About 8 kms long, the widest part of the inlet is the entrance from Bosphorus, where two streets inlet.
You will further visit the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) which is filled with the fleeting fragrance of spices like cinnamon, mint, thyme and saffron besides all other possible ones. Take the coveted Bosphorus tour that takes you along the clear waters of Europe and Asia. You will also visit the Beylerbeyi and Dolmabahce palaces. Witness the mansions and wooden villas leading up to the Rumeli Fortress.  Interestingly, The Rumeli Fortress had been besieged several times before it was conquered by Mehmet the conqueror, it however had managed to hold its ground with the help of the Roman city walls.
Meals included: Breakfast 

After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted to the airport for a short, direct flight to Antalya. When you arrive at the hotel you will have the rest of the day to yourself. Dinner and overnight stay is at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel you will be escorted for your full day city tour. Your first stop today will be the Perge with is situated 18kms East of Antalya. It was here that the Hittites settled back in the 1500s after St Paul had stopped one of his journeys. This place is a fine specimen of agora, bath, theatre, stadium and old colonnade streets.
Located 19 kms from Antalya, the Kursunlu waterfalls are a sight to behold. One of the tributaries to the Aksu River, the location of this waterfall, right amidst the forest is exceptionally beautiful. This countryside spot is a great location for a picnic and people from all over visit here for the quaint and peaceful surroundings. This place is situated only 20 minutes from the middle of the city of Antalya. You will have lunch at a local restaurant situated near Aspendos.
After this, you shall drive to the Aspendos ancient theater, known to be one of most brilliantly preserved amphitheaters since ages and was the spot for several live Opera, Ballet and other classic art performances back in the day. It was an ideal place because of the 5000 people seating capacity and gorgeous ambience. Nearby, you will also see remains of ancient Anatolia aqueduct.
After the tour you shall return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Meals included: Full Board 
 

After buffet breakfast in the hotel, you will check out at 12:00.p.m. You will be transferred to the Antalya airport, from where you will fly to Istanbul. On your arrival on the international airport, you will board a flight for home; leaving with fond memories from your trip.
Meals included: Breakfast