» Day 2 – Istanbul (B,L,D)

We set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start off with a visit to the renewed Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as the Blue Mosque, this exquisite mosque built in the name of Sultan Ahmet is famous for its blue Iznik (Nicean) tiles and is unique for having six minarets. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. We continue on to the Hippodrome, once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Just a short walk across the square takes us to the Underground Cistern, the largest of the many underground cisterns built during the Byzantine Empire to supply the city with water. This cistern is especially fascinating because the Byzantine builders recycled many stone structures - capital heads and columns - that had been used in earlier temples. Now an upside down Medusa stares out at us from her watery home. After lunch we continue our tour with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. This visit to the imperial palace of the Ottoman Sultans will include tours of the imperial treasury, the Chinese porcelain section, the calligraphy section and many more.The tour will end with the visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel.