Old & New Istanbul

Highlights / General details

Turkey may be transforming rapidly but there's still room for tradition. On this Istanbul tour you'll drink turkish coffee, have your fortune told (via the coffee grounds of course), see 19th century cinemas, visit old bazaars, and see where the old Orient Express used to stop. Rub shoulders with modern Turks in their stomping ground of Taksim. Get an insight into the history of Modern Turkey. Take the perfect shot of 19th century architecture. Visit a grand church just off the bustling Istiklal Street. Have a Turkish fortune-teller predict your future over an authentic Turkish coffee. Discover a Fish Market in the middle of town.

Inclusion

Local English-speaking guide; Transport as indicated; Entrance fees as indicated; Turkish coffee; Fortune telling.

Exclusion

Extra drinks and food; Tips or gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available (2014): Monday, Wednesday, Friday; Start time at 1:00pm. Available (2015): Tuesday, Friday, Sunday; Start time at 1:00pm.

Duration

Approximately 4 hours.

Location Meeting point: Entrance to Spice bazaar (main entrance facing the port area marked ‘Fish Market Gate’, in Turkish ‘Balik Pazari Kapisi’). Finish point: Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

Itinerary Begin your historical Istanbul tour with a stroll through exciting Taksim, which is in the heart of this vibrant city. Here you will see the young and hip, artists, and businessmen, all rubbing shoulders, and your local guide will explain the significance of this area for the locals and their culture. From here on this Istanbul tour you'll head to Beyoglu, a district known in Istanbul history for being the most authentic part of town. This area is enjoying a cultural and architectural revival thriving with fashion, art, restaurants, and night clubs. Zig-zag across the Istiklal Caddesi (the Grande Rue), a popular pedestrian boulevard affectionately known as Paris of the East. This was the final destination for passengers on the Orient Express and the architecture is reminiscent of the 1800s Europe. Explore the back streets and see a variety of funky cafes before stopping to enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee and have your fortune told. The coffee beans are double roasted and the actual coffee is brewed three times before being served. A local fortune teller will turn your cup over on to the saucer and tell your fortune from the remains. With a caffeine boost under your belt, you'll continue on your Istanbul city tour by taking in the European architecture, 19th century cinema, still in use, and peeking in to the many pasajis which lead to secret courtyards. Due to the European influence and presence there are many churches of various faiths to drop in to as we explore. Visit Galatasaray Square, site of the first European inspired High School, and Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), a shrine to the Turks love of leisurely dining. Stop by Balik Bazaar - a local market specializing in seafood and perhaps try some fresh battered and fried mussels. Finish with a ride on the Tunel funicular, a stroll through Karakoy, and catch a tram back to Sultanahmet. From you finish point on this Istanbul city tour your guide will be happy to give you directions back to your accommodation, or provide more tip on things to see in this beautiful city.

Participant restrictions

This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please be aware that the standard of dress through out Turkey is conservative. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July and August).

Itinerary

Begin your historical Istanbul tour with a stroll through exciting Taksim, which is in the heart of this vibrant city. Here you will see the young and hip, artists, and businessmen, all rubbing shoulders, and your local guide will explain the significance of this area for the locals and their culture. From here on this Istanbul tour you'll head to Beyoglu, a district known in Istanbul history for being the most authentic part of town. This area is enjoying a cultural and architectural revival thriving with fashion, art, restaurants, and night clubs. Zig-zag across the Istiklal Caddesi (the Grande Rue), a popular pedestrian boulevard affectionately known as Paris of the East. This was the final destination for passengers on the Orient Express and the architecture is reminiscent of the 1800s Europe. Explore the back streets and see a variety of funky cafes before stopping to enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee and have your fortune told. The coffee beans are double roasted and the actual coffee is brewed three times before being served. A local fortune teller will turn your cup over on to the saucer and tell your fortune from the remains. With a caffeine boost under your belt, you'll continue on your Istanbul city tour by taking in the European architecture, 19th century cinema, still in use, and peeking in to the many pasajis which lead to secret courtyards. Due to the European influence and presence there are many churches of various faiths to drop in to as we explore. Visit Galatasaray Square, site of the first European inspired High School, and Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), a shrine to the Turks love of leisurely dining. Stop by Balik Bazaar - a local market specializing in seafood and perhaps try some fresh battered and fried mussels. Finish with a ride on the Tunel funicular, a stroll through Karakoy, and catch a tram back to Sultanahmet. From you finish point on this Istanbul city tour your guide will be happy to give you directions back to your accommodation, or provide more tip on things to see in this beautiful city.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Location

Meeting point: Entrance to Spice bazaar (main entrance facing the port area marked ‘Fish Market Gate’, in Turkish ‘Balik Pazari Kapisi’). Finish point: Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

Itinerary Begin your historical Istanbul tour with a stroll through exciting Taksim, which is in the heart of this vibrant city. Here you will see the young and hip, artists, and businessmen, all rubbing shoulders, and your local guide will explain the significance of this area for the locals and their culture. From here on this Istanbul tour you'll head to Beyoglu, a district known in Istanbul history for being the most authentic part of town. This area is enjoying a cultural and architectural revival thriving with fashion, art, restaurants, and night clubs. Zig-zag across the Istiklal Caddesi (the Grande Rue), a popular pedestrian boulevard affectionately known as Paris of the East. This was the final destination for passengers on the Orient Express and the architecture is reminiscent of the 1800s Europe. Explore the back streets and see a variety of funky cafes before stopping to enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee and have your fortune told. The coffee beans are double roasted and the actual coffee is brewed three times before being served. A local fortune teller will turn your cup over on to the saucer and tell your fortune from the remains. With a caffeine boost under your belt, you'll continue on your Istanbul city tour by taking in the European architecture, 19th century cinema, still in use, and peeking in to the many pasajis which lead to secret courtyards. Due to the European influence and presence there are many churches of various faiths to drop in to as we explore. Visit Galatasaray Square, site of the first European inspired High School, and Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), a shrine to the Turks love of leisurely dining. Stop by Balik Bazaar - a local market specializing in seafood and perhaps try some fresh battered and fried mussels. Finish with a ride on the Tunel funicular, a stroll through Karakoy, and catch a tram back to Sultanahmet. From you finish point on this Istanbul city tour your guide will be happy to give you directions back to your accommodation, or provide more tip on things to see in this beautiful city.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please be aware that the standard of dress through out Turkey is conservative. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July and August).

Policies This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12. If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation