Day 1

Turkey Istanbul,

Start to visit the Basilica Cistern which had shallow water, was spookily lit with orange lamps, and had ambient music playing. In "From Russia With Love”, Sean Connery rows through the Basilica Cistern and the 1001 Columns Cistern is used in a sequence as he leaves the water. In another scene, Russian agent Tatiana Romanova drops secret plans for Bond in the Hagia Sophia. This is one of the most iconic buildings in old Istanbul. Built as a Christian cathedral, it became a mosque for almost 500 years during the Ottoman Empire, when its minarets were added. Since 1935 it has been a museum.

 Visit  The Hagia Sophia which is an impressive monument that defies you to absorb its vastness. The best views are gained by walking up a twisting stone-floored ramp that leads to the gallery. From here you can gaze down to the ground floor and up at the dome, but you can also see some beautiful Byzantine mosaics that were plastered over during Ottoman times and uncovered in the late 1930s.Next visit underground Byzantine cistern that Fleming referred to as 'the Hall of Pillars' which has  no Hall of Pillars  but there are 224 columns normally. The 1001 Columns Cistern, or Binberdirek which will be visited with your expert guide and fan about his movies.

The action in the book of  “From Russia With Love” takes place between the Pera and the old city. In Pera district , you will visit Pera Palas Hotel, which did have a run-down air to it in the Fifties. Built in 1892 to accommodate passengers such adventurers as Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo and the notorious courtesan, exotic dancer and spy Mata Hari arriving on the Orient Express. Here you will remember that Bond gains access to a tunnel that conveniently runs beneath the Russian Consulate and allows Western operatives to listen in on top secret conversations. You will have a break to taste the Turkish coffee at the main hall of the historical hotel which was renovated later.

You will have lunch in Pera neighbourhood while strolling the narrow streets where the Rococo and Baroque building are lined up today and you will see the main avenue of Istiklal which leads you to the main square of Istanbul,Taksim Square.

 You will meet your driver at the square to drive to the Spice Market. The second Bond film to feature Istanbul was The “World Is Not Enough”. It features a sequence filmed at a former lighthouse in the Bosphorus known as The Maiden's Tower where Judi Dench is imprisoned. You will also see the MAIDEN TOWER in further along the way.

 James Bond!' The setting of  this part of  “Skyfall “ ,the 23rd James Bond film, was a homage to Bond's connections with Istanbul, the one-time 'City of Spies'. You will visit the Spice MARKET to experience the local life of the Istanbul while tasting the colourful spices and deserts. By the way you arrive at the Nuruosmaniye Mosque at the end of the street where you will admire the splendid view of the walls covered by the turquoise coloured Iznik tiles. Next to the mosque you will find yourself in front of the entrance of Grand Bazaar which reminds you the scenery of Skyfall with the workers from a nearby office overlooking the bazaar opened the window and began shouting James Bond.

 You will give an ear to this sound and welcome you to GRAND BAZAAR to walk along the shops selling the jewellery, rugs, ceramics, leather and others.

 Drop off at the hotel / cruise pier.