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Taste of Istanbul

Trip Type: Short Breaks
Turkey | 3 Days | 1 - 12 People

Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a ...

Taste of Istanbul

Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a three-day Short Break Adventure to get an essential Istanbul experience, whether you’re adding it onto an exisiting trip or taking a weekend away. Explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. You’ll also get under the skin of the place, eating with a local family, sharing tea and nargile (shisha) and finding hidden spots away from the tourist eye.

Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world to straddle two continents. It’s no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Your Short Break Adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, then you’ll immediately head out for some truly amazing street food. Wander through the streets in the Sultanahmet District and head to a local hangout to enjoy the views of the Marmara Sea. Later, continue to a local tea house for a drink and to partake in some nargile (also known as a waterpipe, shisha or hookah) smoking.

This morning, head out on the Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure. Begin with a dose of Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding more than 1500 years of Turkish history. This site has lived its long life as a church, a mosque and now as a museum, and you may even recognise it from movies like From Russia With Love or Taken 2. Head across the plaza to the Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque – one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its blue-tiled walls, 260 windows and six minarets. After checking out the ancient Hippodrome, take a break at a hidden café nearby for lunch, cracking jokes with the locals and learning about daily life in Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace, which overlooks the mighty Bosphorus Strait and gives an insight into the stories of the sultans who lived here. Head over to the Grand Bazaar to explore some of the 3000 shops and maybe stop for a true Turkish coffee along the way. Tonight you’re free, so maybe head to a harbourside seafood restaurant for dinner.

Your mini adventure will come to end after breakfast this morning, however that doesn’t mean your journey has to come to an end! If you’d like to continue soaking up all that Istanbul has to offer, why not spend an extra night or two here? If you wish to do so, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Meals
2 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Transport
Local Transport

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
  • Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
  • Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure
  • Take a guided tour through the Hagia Sophia and learn the hidden tales of this magnificent one-of-a-kind monument with a local expert.
  • Get lost in the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, passing by the myriad traders who sell their wares in this expansive space. How good are your haggling skills?
  • Join a home cooking experience, discovering some simple local food with your hosts and spending some time in a tea house – just like the locals do!
  • Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
  • Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.
  • On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.

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Finishing

Availability

This Trip Currently has no Dates & Availability

Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
ERZI
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Finishes:
Istanbul, Turkey
Countries Visited:
Turkey
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