{"id":39195,"date":"2023-05-10T13:12:24","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T10:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/an-extraordinary-istanbul-experience-a-day-with-touristanbul\/"},"modified":"2023-05-10T13:54:28","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T10:54:28","slug":"an-extraordinary-istanbul-experience-a-day-with-touristanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/an-extraordinary-istanbul-experience-a-day-with-touristanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"An extraordinary \u0130stanbul experience: A day with Touristanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First tour: Meeting at \u0130stanbul Airport<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\u0130stanbul
Meeting point at \u0130stanbul Airport. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Touristanbul offers eight different tour programs for passengers who want to explore \u0130stanbul. After selecting the <\/span>tour<\/span><\/a> that suits our transfer times and area of interest, all we need to do is go to the Hotel Desk at \u0130stanbul Airport \u2013 We\u2019re not expected to make a booking or register ahead of time for  Touristanbul.  We head to the tour bus with our guide, who meets us at the Hotel Desk at the time of the tour. Since it\u2019s 08.30, we are still a bit sleepy, so we nap on the bus as we move towards the city. After a 45-minute drive, we are in the heart of the city, on the Historical Peninsula \u2013 and we\u2019re ready for our Touristanbul. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish breakfast, tea and coffee, and Sultanahmet Square<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet Square, \u0130stanbul. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before embarking on our Touristanbul, our first stop is a hearty breakfast. Together with our guide, we recharge on various breakfast items, tea and coffee in an authentic breakfast room. During the breakfast, which lasts about 30 minutes, we chat with other guests from different countries who have come to \u0130stanbul. When we finish breakfast, we\u2019re ready to explore, so we set out, following our guide. We are at the first Touristanbul address in Sultanahmet Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tour is T04, which is the full-day tour that starts at 08.30 in the morning and concludes around 18.00 in the evening. Our first stop is the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii). The majestic 17th-century mosque was built by Sedefkar Mehmet A\u011fa, a student of Mimar Sinan, and is one of the city\u2019s most spectacular structures. We admire its elegance and the 21,043 enormous \u0130znik tiles on its walls and proceed towards the second stop, the Hippodrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hippodrome Square, Serpent Column and Theodosius Obelisk<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"hippodrome
Hippodrome Square, Sultanahmet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Hippodrome \u2013 now called Sultanahmet Square \u2013 was used for chariot races during the Roman era. Within the area are three monuments, which our Touristanbul guide describes to us as we take photos. The elegantly domed (Alman \u00c7e\u015fmesi), was built to commemorate the visit of the German Emperor of the time, Kaiser Wilhelm II, during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The Serpent Column (Y\u0131lanl\u0131 S\u00fctun), a bronze work depicting three entangled pythons, is an Ancient Greek artifact that has been in \u0130stanbul since the 300s. Adjacent to the Serpent Column is the Theodosius Obelisk (Theodosius Dikilita\u015f\u0131), an Ancient Egyptian obelisk. We leave the Square, where traces from different geographies of the world come together, with lots of new information and many pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museum Of Turkish And Islamic Arts<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Museum
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The next stop on this particular Touristanbul route is the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the first museum in T\u00fcrkiye exhibiting Turkish-Islamic works together. Set along the outer border of Sultanahmet Square across from the Hippodrome, the Museum features rare works of the Islamic world, from manuscripts to glass, stone and earthen objects. In addition, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts houses one of the most qualified carpet collections in the world. There\u2019s a spacious caf\u00e9 in the Museum\u2019s courtyard, where ethnographic items related to Turkish daily life are displayed. After walking around the Museum for a while, we sip a coffee at the caf\u00e9 and play with the cats strolling around the courtyard. Meanwhile, our Touristanbul friends are still in the Museum. After the visit, we\u2019re a little hungry, so we finish our tour and go to the restaurant for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch, Topkap\u0131 Palace, Spice Bazaar<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Topkap\u0131
Topkap\u0131 Palace, \u0130stanbul. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous authentic restaurants in the vicinity so we enter the one selected for Touristanbul guests and take a breather. First our soups arrive at the table, followed by kebab varieties \u2013 one of the remarkable tastes of Turkish cuisine. After we’ve eaten our fill, our next address is Topkap\u0131 Palace. Without wasting time, we set off with our Touristanbul guide. Topkap\u0131 Palace, built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the conquest of \u0130stanbul, is at the most distinguished point of the city and features a lush green garden. You know, the Ottoman Empire was ruled from Topkap\u0131 Palace for a significant part of its 600-year history. In the Palace, a popular destination for many local and foreign tourists visit, our guide provides important information and then gives us free time so that we can roam around. In this Touristanbul segment, we will conclude our short but satisfying \u0130stanbul tour with a visit to the Spice Bazaar. The aromas of the Spice Bazaar reach us before we even get there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spice Bazaar<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At the Spice Bazaar, one of the oldest and most important covered bazaars in \u0130stanbul, history seems to have stood still. Located inside the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) Complex, the Spice Bazaar was opened with a ceremony in 1663-64 and has been an important trade center in the city since that time. The atmosphere of this authentic market, where fabrics, jewelry, spices and much more are sold, is spellbinding. We are preparing to depart \u0130stanbul, but we leave a little bit of our hearts behind. We meet with our guide and say goodbye to Touristanbul and the city, to meet on a longer exploration tour.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Second tour: Meeting at \u0130stanbul Airport<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\u0130stanbul
\u0130stanbul Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like our first Touristanbul tour, our starting point for the second Touristanbul tour is the Hotel Desk at \u0130stanbul Airport. In fact, the starting point for all Touristanbul tours is the Hotel Desk at \u0130stanbul Airport. We select the most suitable itinerary from the eight Touristanbul programs and, at the designated tour time, our guide greets us at the Hotel Desk. One by one, our names are read off a list. After making sure that all the guests are there, our guide accompanies us to our bus. Touristanbul begins, as we set off to explore the most beautiful corners of \u0130stanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yedikule Fortress, Byzantine Walls, Galata Bridge<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Bosphorus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Touristanbul adventure kicks off with the famous Yedikule Fortress and the \u0130stanbul Walls. On the bus, our guide describes the history of Yedikule Fortress. Dating to the fifth century, Yedikule Fortress was erected during the Byzantine Empire to defend the city against attacks from the sea. In Yedikule, which was expanded with the addition of new walls and gates over the years, the renowned \u201cGolden Gate (Alt\u0131n Kap\u0131)\u201d was built to welcome emperors returning from victorious battles. Armed with this information, we leave one of the most historical points in \u0130stanbul. There are many interesting stops ahead of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before moving on to our next Touristanbul stop, we take a break at the Galata Bridge, one of \u0130stanbul\u2019s most iconic structures. The two-level Galata Bridge features a magnificent view of Emin\u00f6n\u00fc, as well as seafood restaurants on its lower level. The upper level of the Bridge has wide walking paths on both sides of the vehicle road; in these areas, there are pedestrians and people fishing off the sides. It is impossible not to take photos in this incredible scenic location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch and Pierre Loti Hill<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pierre
View of Pierre Loti hill. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We head to the Ey\u00fcpsultan district to eat lunch amid the unique beauty of the Historic Peninsula. The unspoiled old \u0130stanbul texture of the district, with its artisans and tiny shops, is really impressive. We pass by rows of restaurants and head towards the eatery selected by Touristanbul for us. There, we dine on traditional Turkish dishes and then depart to continue our tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next stop is a traditional Turkish tea in Ey\u00fcpsultan. Our Touristanbul guide takes us to Pierre Loti, a very pleasant spot at the top of the district, for our tea break. This hill is named for the French writer Pierre Loti, who once lived in Ey\u00fcpsultan, \u0130stanbul, and came often to the hill to enjoy the unique view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the tour bus will drive up the hill, our Touristanbul guide gives us the option to ascend Pierre Loti Hill via the cable car, free of charge. We recommend the cable car, which offers a splendid view of the Golden Horn. When we reach the top, an observation terrace, along with freshly brewed tea and warm salep \u2013 a creamy beverage made from orchid roots \u2013 awaits us. The drinks and the view are magnificent, and we are ready for our next stop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bulgarian St. Stephen Church and Balat<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Balat\"
Balat streets <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our next Touristanbul stop is St. Stephen (Sveti Stefan) Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, standing in all its splendor along the Golden Horn. One of \u0130stanbul\u2019s most important structures, St. Stephen Church was erected by the Ottoman-era Bulgarian community, who did not want to be tied to the Fener Greek Patriarchate. The Bulgarian Exarchate was established in 1850, with the Bulgarian community leader Stefan Vogoridis donating his residence and three other buildings for the construction of the church. The original wooden structure was destroyed in a fire; the current church, which features Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Baroque elements, is made of iron and is one of the world\u2019s few surviving prefabricated cast iron churches. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterward, we go into Balat with our guide. In this segment of our Touristanbul, our guide lets us explore freely. We gaze at the hilltop Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols (Bloody Church \/ K\u0131rm\u0131z\u0131 Mektep) and take a stroll through the authentic streets of Balat, lined with colorful houses. The unique atmosphere of Balat offers us a nostalgic and memorable tour as we discover its modest venues and unique culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farewell: Return to \u0130stanbul Airport<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After completing our delightful Touristanbul trip, we return to the buses and set off for \u0130stanbul Airport. We arrive at the airport and thank our guide. And then, our group disperses, each to their different corner of the airport, to complete their journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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