ISTANBUL - LAKE VAN & ARMENIAN HARITAGE PACKAGED TOUR (7 Days-6 Nights)
Day - 1: Arrival to Istanbul
When you arrive at Istanbul airport or Istanbul harbour in Turkey. A Castle Travel Representative will meet you. Our Castle Travel representatives will be holding up a sign with your name on it. At the begining of your Istanbul Package Tour, your Istanbul guide will provide you with an Istanbul Package Tour programme, vouchers and a complimentary city map of Istanbul, (depending on the city you are staying) and on the reverse side a map of the historical attraction of the city so when you are walking around, you can have a better understanding of Istanbul, Turkey. Brief orientation followed by a free day to enjoy for your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day - 2: St.Sophia Museum - Hippodrome - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar
Visit the St.Sophia Museum, which is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Its decorated interior was of great artistic value with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee" Justinian himself had overseen the completion of the greatest cathedral ever built up to that time, and it was to remain the largest cathedral for 1,000 years up until the completion of the cathedral in Seville in
Spain. Across from St.Sophia is the Blıue Mosque, recognizable from its six minarets, built 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I and decorated inside with 21,043 tiles from Iznik in a dominant blue colour; because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Hippodrome, Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We continue to Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Conclude your day of touring with a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar, which is one of the most colourful institutions of Istanbul Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast)
Day - 3: Bosphorus Tour - Camlica Hill - Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice. Bedesten exhibits the traditional silk weaving courses carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education.Possibility to see the jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Bosphorus Tour on Boat, A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. Rumeli Fortres, Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to controland protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace, The summer residence of ottoman sultans with its orginal furnuture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge unique change by stepping from one continent (Asia)to another (Europe) Camlica Hill the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the bosphours from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day - 4: Flight to City of Van & Akdamar Church Tour
Transfer to Istanbul airport. Flight to Van. Arrive at Van, meet with your guide then drive to Van It is a city in eastern Turkey located at an elevation of 1750 m. The city of Van lies on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The Van region features mountainous terrain with harsh winters. Van was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa, the capital of the powerful Urartu kingdom between the 13th and 8th centuries BC. Women of Van produce beautiful Kilims woven in blue, red and white patterns. Van is also famous for its Van cat,a pure white, longhair cat, which has the strange feature of one blue eye and the other green. Proceed to explore the nearby bas-reliefs of what is believed to have been an Urartian Citadel, dating from the 9th century BC. We continue via the cascading falls around Muradiye and arrive at the town of Van for overnight.
Day - 5: Lake Van and Akdamar Island Tour& Flight to Istanbul
Boat trip on Lake Van to Akdamar Island. Seven times the size of Lake Geneva, Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey and the largest saline lake in the world. We will visit Akdamar Island and its Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, a superb example of Armenian architecture that dates form the 10th century. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the lake it still retains its majesty, enhanced by the startling diversity of its 2 exterior reliefs and kachkars, traditional Armenian cross-stones. After lunch we will return to Van, you are free for your own exploration. An evening transfer to airport flight to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul and transfer to hotel.
Day - 6: Freeday At Leisure in Istanbul
Freeday at leisure in Istanbul.Overnight in Istanbul.(B)
Day - 7: Flight to Home Sweet Home
Transfer to Istanbul airport and flight back to home sweet home.