DOLMABAHÇE PALACE & BOSPHORUS ON BOAT

DOLMABAHÇE PALACE The Dolmabahçe Palace, a blend of various European architectural
styles, was built between 1843 – 1856 by Karabet Balyan, the court architect of Sultan Abdulmecid.
The three –storied palace built on a symmetrical plan has 285 rooms and 43 halls. The palace has
survived intact with its original decorations, furniture, and the silk carpets and curtains. Its
surpasses all other palaces in the world in wealth and magnificence. (Harem is not included)

BEZM-İ ALEM VALİDE SULTAN MOSQUE The mosque’s construction was originally
backed by Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan. After she died, Sultan Abdülmecid, her son, continued to
support the construction of the mosque. Upon completion in 1855, it was opened for prayer services

SHOPPING As Turkey is one of the best later producing countries in the world. We will watch a
fashion-show in an outlet center which produces and manufactures different various of great quality
leatherware. So it’s a good opportunity to have a look at the reasonable priced good quality leather
accessories. (Optional due to high traffic jam and long line for the Palace)
LUNCH (Drinks are extra)

CITY WALLS The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by
the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453.

DRIVE BY BUS TO GOLDEN HORN As a natural and extremely secure harbor, the Golden
Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European
shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the
Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.

SPICE BAZAAR (EGYPTIAN BAZAAR) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of
cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

BOAT TRIP ON THE BOSPHORUS An amazing cruise between the two continents, EUROPE
and ASIA, along the Bosphorus by the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and
mansions up to the Rumeli Fortress.

THE RUMELI FORTRESS (FROM THE SEA – NO INTERIOR VISIT)
İstanbul had been besieged many times before Mehmet the Conqueror took the city in 1453 but it
managed to defend itself with the help of the Roman city walls.