Byzantine Relics & Ottoman Relics Tour

The Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour in Istanbul offers travelers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy the stunning architecture and intricate details of iconic historical sites like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, all while learning about the captivating history that shaped this vibrant destination. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way and a range of inclusions to ensure a seamless experience, this tour promises to provide an enriching and unforgettable glimpse into Istanbul’s past. Those who embark on this journey will undoubtedly come away with a deeper appreciation for the city’s enduring legacy.

Key Points

• This 3-hour tour provides a comprehensive exploration of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, including visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar.
• The tour includes licensed guide services, local lunch, hotel pickup/drop-off, and all entrance fees, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience.
• Highlights include the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia, the intricate Iznik tile work at the Blue Mosque, and browsing the historic Grand Bazaar.
• The tour accommodates a maximum group size of 20 travelers, allowing for a personalized experience with individualized attention from the guide.
• Moderate physical fitness is required, and certain sites may be closed on specific days, so it’s important to review the itinerary details before booking.

Tour Overview

This tour provides visitors with a comprehensive exploration of Byzantine and Ottoman relics in Istanbul. Lasting 3 hours, it has a maximum group size of 20 travelers and is priced from $205.03 per person.

Guests will visit iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia, an architectural marvel of the Byzantine era, and explore Sultan Ahmet Square, the former Hippodrome for chariot racing.

They’ll also admire the Iznik tile work at the Blue Mosque and browse the shops of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets.

With free hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed guide, and a local lunch, this tour offers a well-rounded experience of Istanbul’s rich history and culture.

Itinerary Highlights

What’re the key highlights of the Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour?

The tour takes visitors to Hagia Sophia, an architectural marvel of the Byzantine Empire. It also explores Sultan Ahmet Square, formerly a Hippodrome for chariot racing.

Travelers will admire the Iznik tile work at the Blue Mosque. Plus, the tour includes a browse through the shops in the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world.

However, visitors should note that Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays and replaced by the Underground Cistern tour, while the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are also closed during Friday Prayer.

Inclusions

The tour includes all entrance fees and offers free hotel pickup and drop-off at city center hotels in areas like Taksim, Beyoglu, Karakoy, Osmanbey, Sisli, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, and Aksaray-Laleli-Beyazit.

Travelers will enjoy the services of a licensed tour guide, as well as a local lunch. All service charges and taxes are included.

The tour provides:

• All entrance fees
• Free hotel pickup and drop-off
• Licensed tour guide
• Lunch at a local venue

The tour also includes service charges and taxes, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience for visitors.

Important Information

Confirmation is received at booking for this tour.

Infants must sit on laps during the experience. Unfortunately, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. Guests should have a moderate level of physical fitness to participate.

The visit to the Harem in Topkapi Palace isn’t included in the tour and is at the traveler’s own expense.

Travelers can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Traveler Review: Linda A

Linda A, a traveler who experienced the Byzantine Relics & Ottoman Relics Tour, praised the knowledgeable guide.

She highlighted the tour’s visit to the Chora Church, which she found fascinating.

Linda also enjoyed the authentic Turkish lunch, stating it was a highlight of the experience.

The tour, she noted, provided valuable insights into Istanbul’s rich history, from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman era.

Overall, Linda’s review underscored the comprehensive nature of the tour, which allowed participants to:

• Explore architectural marvels like Hagia Sophia
• Admire intricate Iznik tile work at the Blue Mosque
• Browse the iconic Grand Bazaar
• Learn about Istanbul’s transformation over the centuries

Traveler Review: Teddie P

Teddie P, another traveler who experienced the Byzantine Relics & Ottoman Relics Tour, found the tour to be brief but appreciated the visits to the beautiful churches and the learning about the historic walls. While the tour may have been short, Teddie P felt it provided a valuable overview of Istanbul’s rich history and culture.

Aspect	Teddie P’s Feedback
Duration	Brief
Highlights	Beautiful churches, historic walls
Learning	Appreciated learning about the city’s history
Overall	Valuable overview of Istanbul
Recommendation	Would recommend for those interested in Byzantine and Ottoman relics

Tour Duration

The length of the Byzantine Relics & Ottoman Relics Tour is a concise three hours, providing travelers with an efficient overview of Istanbul’s historic highlights.

This time frame allows participants to:

• Explore the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia
• Admire the intricate Iznik tile work at the Blue Mosque
• Browse the bustling stalls of the Grand Bazaar
• Learn about the rich history and cultural significance of these iconic landmarks

Group Size

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 travelers. This intimate group size allows for a more personalized and interactive experience. Travelers can engage with the guide and ask questions more easily in a smaller group setting. Plus, navigating historic sites and crowded marketplaces is more manageable with fewer people. The group size breakdown is as follows:

Group Size	Benefits
5 or fewer	More individualized attention
10-15	Easier to hear guide and keep together
16-20	Maximum to maintain intimacy
21+	Less personal, harder to manage
Optimal	10-15 travelers

This thoughtful group size contributes to the overall satisfaction and immersion of the Byzantine Relics & Ottoman Relics Tour.

The Sum Up

The Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour in Istanbul offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s iconic historical sites. With a licensed guide, personalized attention, and all-inclusive amenities, this 3-hour tour provides travelers an enriching experience to enjoy Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking to discover the vibrant past of this remarkable destination, this tour is a must-consider for your Istanbul travel plans.