Our tour begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center of Byzantine
civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its
interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white 17th century Iznik tiles.
Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest work of Byzantine architecture.
The forth largest building in the world that was made as a church, is now a museum that glitters
with mosaics and art treasures that fill every corner.
We continue on to Topkapi Palace. Today it is a spectacular museum with one of the largest collections
of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very famous treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. We finish the
tour at the famous Grand Bazaar.
This bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers as we explore a labyrinth of streets and
passages housing nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting a rich collection of precious handmade carpets,
jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs.
