Two Continents Tour in Istanbul (S3)

The Two Continents Tour will be a long-awaited gift for those who wish to visit Istanbul. It is the most hospitable city on the planet which is located simultaneously in Europe and Asia. The route is designed in such a way that during  one day you will see the best sights, get acquainted with the wonderful architecture and feel the spirit of the city, where European and Asian features are closely intertwined.

Take the following advice:

• Put on shoes without heels. You’ll have to walk a lot on rough cobblestones, along picturesque streets, and climb the slopes by the stairs. The hills in Istanbul are no less high than in Lisbon or San Francisco!

• You’ll be in the sun all day, so take your sunglasses, hats and sunscreen.

The tour includes a visit to mosques where women are not allowed to enter with their heads uncovered. Put a light headscarf in your purse. Clothes should cover legs and shoulders.

We provide a comfortable round-trip transfer, and the group is accompanied by a professional guide.

Travel along the «contrasts» of Istanbul

The tour begins at the Hippodrome Square. In Byzantine times city holidays, horse and sports competitions were held there, as well as the highest decrees were announced. After the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, the square was destroyed. Being the witnesses of former greatness, only separate constructions, i.e. the German fountain, the serpent column and the Egyptian obelisk, have survived to this day.

Topkapi Palace, which has everything for a luxurious autonomous life, was built in the second half of the fifteenth century. It was the residence of 25 Turkish sultans who have lived and ruled there for nearly 500 years. In 1923, the palace was turned into a museum.

You will see the Blue Mosque which is a fascinating architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Istanbul. The young Sultan Ahmet spent his own money to build it in 1616. Marble, blue and white ceramic tiles were used in its decoration. The structure is striking not only in its magnificence, but also in its size. The blue mosque can be visited by 35,000 people at the same time.

In 1556 Hammam was built in honor of the famous Roksolana. It included the bath complex first divided into the male and female half. In different eras, the building appeared to be a bathhouse, warehouse, carpet shop, and even a prison. Now this structure is restored and used as an elite hammam.

Then lunch is served, and afterwards you will get to know another significant sight of Istanbul – the Cathedral of Saint Sofia. In July 2020, the Orthodox Cathedral became a functioning mosque by decree of the Turkish authorities.

Bosphorus walk 

Sailing along the Bosphorus Strait is a pleasant pastime at any season. Tourists enjoy the picturesque shores of two continents, where palaces, private villas and ancient fortresses are located. The waterway runs past the Maiden Tower on a small island, along the fortress of Rumeli Hisar, drowning in flowers and green trees. You will sail under the bridge which connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul.

The tour will end at the observation deck, where one can admire the stunning beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the «city of contrasts» in all its splendor.

It is amazing to be a guest on two continents at once. This is a memorable experience for life. Don’t miss this chance!