Fly independently to the U.S. to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival, check into the Ottoman Imperial Hotel. (Meals Aloft)
Day 3 – Wednesday
Istanbul
Spend a full day exploring Istanbul’s most famous classical monuments. Begin at the Hagia Sofia, the church of Holy Wisdom for 916 years. The Hagia Sofia became the symbol of conquest of Constantinople by the Turks and served as a mosque for 482 years. Finally Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, converted it into a museum in 1935, making this Turkey’s most visited museum. Our guided Istanbul tour then takes in the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I when he was only 19 years old. It was built near the Hagia Sophia, over the site of the ancient Hippodrome and Byzantine imperial palace. Construction work began in 1609 and took seven years. Before a lunch of local favorites we also visit the Hippodrome. The site of the original Hippodrome was laid out in 196 by the Roman emperor Severus. Constantine the Great turned it into a vast stadium capable of seating a hundred thousand spectators who watched horse and chariot races, gladiatorial combats and other spectacles. The Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople and where popular displeasure was given voice and sometimes erupted into riots and rebellion. This afternoon, visit the Grand Bazaar and embark on a Bosphorus cruise. Enjoy dinner on one of the island restaurants on the Bosphorus before returning to the Ottoman Imperial Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Thursday
Istanbul
Spend our morning in Istanbul touring the Topkapi Palace, the first Ottoman palace in Istanbul. The palace is located on the historic peninsula, in the district called Sultanahmet. Built in 1478 for Fatih Sultan Mehmet, more than 4,000 people once lived in this palace, where the state was governed for centuries before the ruling family moved to Dolmabahçe Palace. Next, we tour the Underground Cisterns. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. Located 500 feet southwest of the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of Justinian I, and can hold 2.8 million cubic feet of water. Before an afternoon at leisure, visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. (B,L)
Day 5 – Friday
Istanbul / Marmaris
After a morning at leisure, explore the Beylerbeyi Palace. Beylerbeyi, built under Sultan Abdülaziz, was the second palace to be built on the Bosphorus and served as a summer residence and guest quarters for visiting bey (dignitaries) during their visits to the city. Beylerbeyi, which replaced Abdülmecid's previous palace, was completed in 1865 on a less extravagant scale than the one on the European shores, employing only 5,000 men to build it. Later today we fly to Marmaris to meet our group and begin our Turkey and Greece expedition cruise. (September 13 guests will fly to Bodrum). (B, Meals Aloft)
