Taste of Istanbul

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3 Days From

~~$720~~

$686

Taste of Istanbul

3 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey

Visiting: Istanbul

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

ERZI

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Volunteering Tours

Activities:

Shopping, Sightseeing

From: $720 $686 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$34

NB: Prices correct on 18-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a three-day Short Break Adventure to get an essential Istanbul experience, whether you’re adding it onto an exisiting trip or taking a weekend away. Explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. You’ll also get under the skin of the place, eating with a local family, sharing tea and nargile (shisha) and finding hidden spots away from the tourist eye.

Highlights

Take a guided tour through the Hagia Sophia and learn the hidden tales of this magnificent one-of-a-kind monument with a local expert.
Get lost in the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, passing by the myriad traders who sell their wares in this expansive space. How good are your haggling skills?
Join a home cooking experience, discovering some simple local food with your hosts and spending some time in a tea house – just like the locals do!
Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.

Itinerary

tourhub | Intrepid Travel | Taste of Istanbul | ERZI | Route Map

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Day 1: Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world to straddle two continents. It’s no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Your Short Break Adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm then it will continue with the Home Cooked Istanbul Urban Adventure, spending the evening mingling with the locals and enjoying some delicious food. Wander through the streets in the Sultanahmet district, and en route, meet a local family and sit together for a traditional meal. After you’ve eaten as much as you can handle, head to a local hangout to enjoy some killer views of the Marmara Sea. Find a comfortable spot to watch games of football, strike up conversation with the locals or get involved in a backgammon game. All of that people watching – you must be thirsty. Continue on to a local tea house for a drink and to partake in some nargile (also known as waterpipe or hookah) smoking. Sit back, relax and enjoy – you’ll be puffing like a local in no time. If you’re feeling like kicking on, your group leader will be able to recommend some hidden gems, but after your tea and nargile, you’re free to do as you please, or simply head back to your hotel.

Included Activities:
-Istanbul - Home Cooked Istanbul Urban Adventure

Optional Activities:
-Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
-Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
-Istanbul - Galata Tower
-Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat)
-Istanbul - Archaeology Museum
-Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage)

Day 2: Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Do you think you can conquer Istanbul in one day? Well, wonder no more with an Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure today. Ready? Let’s go. Begin with a dose of Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding within its walls more than 1500 years of Turkish history. This beautiful site is also somewhat of a chameleon — it has lived its long life as a church, a mosque, and now as a museum, and you may even recognise it from movies like From Russia With Love or Taken 2. Head across the plaza towards the jewel in the Istanbul crown: Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque. It is one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its blue-tiled walls, 260 windows, and six minarets – don’t forget to ask your guide the significance of those six spires. After checking out the ancient Hippodrome, take a break at a hidden café nearby for lunch, cracking jokes with locals and learn about daily life in Istanbul. Once you’re refuelled, continue on to Topkapi Palace, which overlooks the mighty Bosphorus strait, and gives an insight into the stories of the sultans who have lived here in centuries past. Now, time for a treat – head over to the Grand Bazaar to explore some of the 3000 shops, meeting the local characters and perfecting your haggling game. Stop in for a true Turkish coffee and shop the afternoon away. This evening, continue your own exploration of the city, perhaps heading to a harbourside seafood restaurant.

Included Activities:
-Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
-Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
-Istanbul - Topkapi Palace
-Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure

Optional Activities:
-Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Harem Entry
-Istanbul - Hagia Irene

Day 3: Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your Istanbul Short Break will come to end after breakfast this morning, however that doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you’d like to continue soaking up all that Istanbul has to offer, why not spend an extra night or two here? If you wish to do so, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

What's Included

Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights)
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners
Istanbul - Home Cooked Istanbul Urban Adventure

Experience a home-cooked meal in Istanbul, mingling with locals and enjoying traditional food.
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia

Take a guided tour of the Hagia Sophia, exploring its rich history and architecture.
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar

Explore the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of shops and traders, perfect for honing your haggling skills.
Istanbul - Topkapi Palace

Visit the Topkapi Palace, overlooking the Bosphorus strait, and learn about the sultans who lived there.
Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure

Join the Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure to explore the city's iconic sites in one day.
Local Transport

Travel around Istanbul using local transport.

What's Not Included

Intrepid Group Leader

This tour does not include an Intrepid group leader or local representative for the duration of the tour.
Grand Bazaar Closure

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, and visits on this day will be substituted with the Spice Market.

Included Activities

Istanbul - Home Cooked IstanbulIstanbul - Hagia SophiaGrand BazaarIstanbul - Topkapi Palace

Transport

Local Transport

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

1. This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader or local representative for the duration of the tour. This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travelers booked on the same date as you, or you may be on your own.2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm on Day 1 in Istanbul.3. This adventure includes a visit to the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. The Bazaar is closed on Sunday should you choose a Saturday departure for this product your visit to the Grand Bazaar on day 2 will be substituted with the Spice Market.

Mode of Transport

Transportation during the tour is primarily through local transport, allowing you to experience the city like a local and navigate through the bustling streets of Istanbul with ease.

Accommodation

Accommodation is typically in hotels, with the possibility of alternative arrangements if preferred options are unavailable. Early check-in may not always be possible, but luggage storage and shared day rooms are available until rooms are ready.

Check out our Q&As

Is this trip right for you

On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
What policies are in place for Covid-19?

Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
How long has the tour company been trading?

Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Jan 26, 2025 - Jan 28, 2025

~~$720~~ $686 (USD)