Egypt and Istanbul
DAY 02 ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul, reception at the airport, and free time until check-in time. Accommodation.
DAY 03 ISTANBUL
Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation.
Option to take the optional guided excursion (not included – at extra cost) with lunch at a typical food restaurant, “BOSPHORUS TOUR.” Departure to contemplate the spectacular panorama of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Hill; visit to the Church of St. George, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church and seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, recognized as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians around the world; we continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul; we head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colors and aromas, the ideal place to buy teas, herbs, dried fruits, typical sweets, and of course spices; we end with a cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will admire the wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of this city.
DAY 04 ISTANBUL
Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation.
Option to take the optional guided excursion (not included – at extra cost) with lunch at a typical food restaurant, “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE”: Enter the historic center of the city, where you can observe the variety of remains from the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 hand-made ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia (entry not included), built in the year 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, a mosque, and also a museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years; we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, the kitchens, and the royal treasury rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration. We continue to the church of Aya Irini, a Byzantine church that was not converted into a mosque, and we will end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where bargaining is a tradition.
DAY 05 ISTANBUL
Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation. At night, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Hurghada.
DAY 06 ISTANBUL ✈ HURGHADA
Arrival at Hurghada International Airport. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Free time until check-in time. Accommodation.
