March 20, 2016 Erkankr

Treasures of Golden Horn

ABOUT THE TOUR

This is one of top selling tour visiting some interesting sites like the the 600 years old Ottoman cemetery at Eyup, Chora Church Museum and Ecumenical Patriarchate of Greek Orthodox World (shortly the Vatican of Orthodox World). The walk between the Chora and Patriarchate is one of the highlight of the tour as well. Great tour to do at your second day in Istanbul. 

THE TOUR COVERS: Eyup district, Pier Loti Hill, Chora Church, City walls of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Greek Orthodox World, Walk through Fener and Balat, Suleymaniye Mosque. 

INCLUDED: Hotel pick up and drop back, Entrance fees to the sites, Guiding by Professional Tourist Guide, Full Day Private Van (Mercedes Vito or Mercedes Sprinter), Lunch at at a local restaurant.

 

THE ITINERARY

You will be met by your guide at your hotel at 09.00. With your guide you will head to Eyup first, this hilly suburb was named after the Prophet Mohammed’s best friend who is buried there. So, due to an age old tradition, everyone wanted to be near him to await the judgement day since the 15th century. And, because of this reason this place became a necropolis (the city of the dead) full of beautifully designed tombs and epitaphs.  We will walk through these tombs before we take a cable car to Pierre Loti Hill which has a breathtaking view of Golden Horn. And was home to the eccentric French  ‘Orientalist’ Pierre Loti.

After having a Turkish Coffee here we will head to Chora Church which has the best surviving examples of late Byzantine frescoes and mosaics from 14thcentury. The purpose of these mosaics and frescoes is to tell the stories from Old and New Testament and what lies beyond the earthly existence from your guide. 

After having lunch here you will continue to the Golden Horn by walking through the walls of Constantinople and two old districts of Istanbul, Fener and Balat and then you will reach the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. The Patriarch is the head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and is followed by more than 300 Million Orthodox Christians.

From here you will head to Suleymaniye Mosque. This monumental mosque is built by Architect Sinan in the 16th century to honor Suleyman the Magnificent.  With its poetic view and ingenious architecture it is just like a jewel in the crown of the Golden Horn. Then we will walk to the Golden Horn through alleyways and the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar. Tour finishes here but If you wish, your guide can assist you back to your hotel.

Tresures of Golden Horn
On Map

  Istanbul-map

SO WHAT'S THE REST OF THE DEAL?

Hotel pick up

You will be met at your hotel by your guide and your private A/C van. After the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel by the van as well.

No ticket line

Since you will be assisted by a profesional tourist guide during the tour you will not need to wait at the ticket lines.

Be a traveller

Your guide will inform you about the sites, Turkish culture, all religions in these lands and more so when you finish the tour you will know about the places you've been.

FROM OUR GALLERY

COME SEE TRUE ISTANBUL WITH US

Our aim is not just to take you to the sites and give you information about them but also by telling you stories we will try to make you travel back in time and learn the facts behind the historical events. We believe seeing and listening will not be enough so we will encourage you to try the local tastes to experience Turkey better. We will also encourage you to mingle with the locals to know Turkey better as well. Shortly we will do our best to be sure that you will leave Turkey with best memories and with a better understanding of these lands.