PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR
Your Dates. Our Planning and Expertise.

DAY 1 -  ARRIVE ISTANBUL, TURKEY

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We will meet you at the gate of the plane (with a sign reading your names) and you will be assisted during the passport formalities and escorted through the customs. And at the exit gate of the customs, Sightseeist’s licensed English speaking representative will meet you to escort you to your hotel.

  

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL

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After breakfast, at 9:00am, you will meet your professional guide at the hotel lobby for your private full day experience.

 

Your private tour of Istanbul begins with a visit to the Hippodrome, the largest chariot race ground of the Byzantine Empire. 

You will take a short walk to the Sultanahmet Mosque, Blue Mosque - the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman Architecture, famous for its unique handmade Iznik tiles impressing the guests with their rich dominant blue colors and oriental patterns. They have become collectors’ items today, auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.

 

Next you will visit 6th century Underground Cistern- an impressive 9,800 square meter cistern capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water. The mystery of Dan Brown’s “Inferno is solved here. Perhaps the most unusual structure in Istanbul!

 

Lunch is suggested at an old Ottoman House serving traditional Turkish Ottoman cuisine from the recipes of the Topkapi Palace.

 

After your lunch, you will visit the magnificient Topkapi Palace -  the main residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. Turks ruled most of Europe and the Middle East from here.

 

Last you will visit the Spice Market, the second largest covered market in Istanbul and  the best place to buy Turkish delight, dried fruit, exotic spices and herbs. 

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At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel with with a stop for some baklava tasting. 

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DAY 3 - ISTANBUL

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Your private guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel at 9 am for another private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.

 

First, you will visit World famous Hagia Sophia, the church of the Divine Wisdom, which is one of the most extraordinary constructions in the World.

 

Next you will visit the Suleymaniye Mosque. Built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan on the order of Suleyman the Magnificen, the Suleymaniye Mosque dominates the third hill of old Istanbul, and is strikingly graceful and less ornate than many other imperial mosques, thus lending itself to meditation and quiet reflection.

 

Then, you will see the Church of St Saviour in Chora.  

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After lunch visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts, gold and silver jewelry, carpets, rugs, antiques, tiles, leather, ceramics and souvenirs all sold in small shops next to each other. 

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At the end of the tour, you will be escorted to your hotel.

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DAY 4 - ISTANBUL

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Your private guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel at 9 am for another private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.

 

Embark on a private motor yacht to enjoy a private cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents and the life blood of Istanbul.  Your private boat will cruise along the romantic Bosphorus visiting both the Europe Side and the Asia Side of Istanbul by the shores of local fishing villages, en route when it is possible to take memorable photos of the magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. During your cruise you will see a different perspective of Istanbul, described by a Byzantine visitor in the 12th century as “the city of the world’s desire”. Cruise will take approximately 1 ½ hours.

 

Your private tour will continue with a visit to Imperial Dolmabahce Palace, which was built in 19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I. 

 The facade stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus and was the last home of the Ottoman Sultans.

Then you will continue to modern part of the city and visit Taksim Square. Walk the “Istiklal Street” which is closed to traffic except the trams where you can explore many shops and book stores and enjoy a tram ride. You will then visit the Galata Tower which was built in 1303 by immigrants from Genoa, Italy. While sipping your Turkish coffee, you will be amazed with the spectacular view of the Golden Horn and the old buildings located on its shores.

  

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Galataport Istanbul cruise port to board on your ship with a stop for some baklava tasting.