Fly with us to Istanbul and discover its stunning monuments or experience Turkish hammam pampering.
Breathe in the exotic spice aromas and peruse the incredible array of wares on offer at Istanbul’s labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, dating from 1461. Or for big-name brands, head to the modern malls of the New City. If you seek designer boutiques, make your way to Nisantasi or Bagdat Caddesi.
When you’ve visited the stunning Topikapi Palace, be sure to stop at the nearby Istanbul Archaeology Museum and peruse its superb collection of treasured ancient artefacts. Take in the architectural glory of the Hagia Sofia basilica. Or admire the contemporary Turkish works at the prestigious Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.
Try rich Turkish coffee or sip sweet tea with the locals at a traditional tea garden. Sample succulent meze washed down with aniseed-infused raki in the Old City. Or tuck into fantastic fresh fish at an eatery around Galata Bridge. For an unforgettable gastronomic experience, dine at Cirağan Palace Kempinski.
Absorb the lively atmosphere over a glass of wine at a traditional tavern. Or gaze at the city bathed in amber hues while enjoying sunset cocktails at a trendy rooftop bar. Take in an opera, or groove to pulsating beats under a canopy of stars at an open-air nightclub.
Take a leisurely stroll around the treasure trove of stunning historic monuments that is Istanbul’s Old City. Or escape the heat and bustle for a gentle cruise along the Bosphorus. Or let a soapy bubble wash on heated marble invigorate you, at a Turkish hammam such as the Çemberlitas Bath.
Discover how old meets new in Istanbul on this tour of the city’s four ‘must-see’ historic sights. Take in the iconic Sultan Ahmet, or Blue Mosque, a stunning feat of Ottoman architecture. Then visit the 6th-century Hagia Sophia, once one of the world’s largest Christian basilicas and now a magnificent museum. Marvel at the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace, before perusing the thousands of shops forming the legendary Grand Bazaar – one of the world’s largest covered markets.
Dramatic floodlit mosques and bejewelled belly dancers are the dazzling sights that await on this memorable Istanbul by night experience. On your evening out in Istanbul, you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to a first-class restaurant for dinner. Your sumptuous four-course meal includes a Turkish dessert, before shimmying belly dancers and an Anatolian cultural folklore group perform for your entertainment.
Breathe in the intoxicating aroma of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for outstanding views of amazing Istanbul. Your adventure begins with a visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s most vibrant and atmospheric attractions. Then board your boat for a captivating cruise on the Bosphorus, taking in stunning Istanbul sights. You’ll sail past the famous Dolmabahce Palace and 15th-century Rumelihisar Fortress, along with magnificent mosques and mansions.
The only city in the world with a foot in both Europe and Asia, uniting both eastern and western cultures – Istanbul is truly unique. The former capital of Turkey is a treasure trove of relics from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, merged with a buzzing modern metropolis. Enjoy fantastic views of the city from the top of a double decker bus on this guided tour, and hop on and off at selected stops en route.
Visit ANZAC Cove, the site of the bloody First World War battle between Allied and Turkish troops, on this moving day trip from Istanbul to Gallipoli. Thousands of soldiers tragically perished during the infamous Gallipoli campaign of 1915. See the Turkish and Allied trenches at Johnstone’s Jolly, then the memorial at Chunuk Bair, site of one of New Zealand’s epic stands on the Gallipoli peninsula. There will also be a visit to the poignant Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial.
