Day 1

Turkey Istanbul,

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul ( by private vehicle)

Upon your arrival your own private guide will pick you up at the cruise pier with a private chauffeured Mercedes. Then we start our Turkish Gourmet Grand tour in Istanbul.
Today you will be taken on a tour of of Istanbul’s Byzantine iconic monuments in the different corners of the city. First you will visit the Hagia Sophia known as the church of the Divine Wisdom, which was a church built on 537 AD, then converted into a mosque and a museum in the history. Next you will visit the famous Blue Mosque adorned with blue Iznik tiles and six minarets around attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Last, you will continue to explore ninety-two streets of the famous Grand Bazaar with more than 500 stalls, 18 fountains, six restaurants, a primary school, a large mosque, a police station, a post office and an information center.
After lunch in a restaurant serving the best samples of Ottoman cuisine , you will visit the St. Savior in Chora Museum, known for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes dating from the 11th to the 14th centuries. Then we drive to the Galatasaray neighborhood and stroll down the streets of the Pera District. On the way you will see the historical monuments and buildings built in Baroc and Rococo style such as St. Antoine's Catholic Church, the Tunel neighborhod, Jewish synagogues including Neve Shalom Synagogue and the Galata Tower. At the end of our visit you can dine on your own at any of the local restaurants recomended by your guide respecting the sort of your meal choice or drive to your hotel.

Day 2

Turkey Istanbul,

Day 2: Istanbul - Full day tour (by walk and tram)

This tour includes the local Turkish food from the local restaurants and the foodie shops with the various tastings, bites of which you could not discover on your own in ISTANBUL. This morning you will be met by your guide at the lobby of your hotel then head towards the Topkapi Palace , known as the former residence of Ottoman sultans and the administrative capital of the Ottoman state for 400 years. After this fascinating visit you will head into a small restaurant which is so famous in the neighbourhood and food is served quickly and fresh, exactly what says on the tin. One of the most beautiful kofta served with fresh salad on the side, some wonderful aromatic condiments to go with, ayran for a drink, and the most gorgeous view of the Hagia Sofia from the half open windows on the top floor-perfect lunch.
Then we will visit the famous Rustem Pasa Mosque which is skillful accomplishment of architect Sinan. It was built in 1561 and displays exquisite Iznik tiles decorating the superbly proportioned interior… Our second stop is at the famous Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market), this colorful covered bazaar has shops selling all sorts of exotic goodies ,where we can find the Turkish pistachios, hazelnuts, some turkish delight and dried apricots from a locally owned shop. After lunch we will walk through the Spice Market to learn about the special spices used in the Turkish Cuisine and taste the hazelnuts, pistachious ,safran and dried fruits.

Then we will walk over the Galata Bridge to Karaköy neighbourhood, where we will stroll down the streets of Karaköy and sit down at a café where you can taste the turkish natural deserts such as baklava bülbül yuvasi, saray sarmasi, sütlü nuriye, and sari burma. We guarantue that you never regret tasting the Turkish delight which you can create on your own too.

Day 3

Turkey Istanbul,

Day 3:( by walk , ferry and tram)

This morning you will explore the famous Yeni Camii (New Mosque) but it is not as new as it sounds since it was built in 1655 A.D. in Eminonu then we take a ferry for an hour long Bosphorus cruise along the shores of both sides of the continent in Istanbul as well as the Maidens Tower in the middle of the Marmara sea. As soon as we arrive in Kadikoy neighbourhood we walk up the cobblestone streets to reach the Kadikoy Market . We can find the famous goat cheese,Turkish honey, Turkish cofee in the small shops in Kadikoy Market where the shops are lined up and the fish market is there. We will walk through the the real bazaar shopping experience with the fish sellers, butchers ,cheese sellers and grocers where you can find yourself in the huge variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables with plenty to discover. Take your time and explore the many pastry shops, Turkish delight, stores and the aromatic spice stands.

We will have lunch in a local restaurant where you can find the real Turkish cuisine made of the ingredients used in the dishes from the cities of the southeast of Turkey. After lunch we will take the ferry back to the European side.