Custom designed holidays by land and sea in Turkey

Explore the Roman Hippodrome featuring the remains of an Egyptian Obelisk made from pink granite, and the Serpent Column. Then to the Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Mosque, which has around 20.000 blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior. From here visit the Underground Cistern, a water reservoir built in AD 532 and supported by 300 marble pillars. At the magnificent Topkapi Palace view the treasury section, items from the Sultan’s kitchen, imperial garments and thrones, and discover Ottoman architecture and its history. In the afternoon browse Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of tradesmans alleyways housing 4000 shops.

A cruise along the busy, dramatic and enchanting Bosphorus waterway with stunning views of Turkey east and west. This strait is never still with ferries crossing from Europe to Asia constantly, and fishing boats bobbing in their wake. First stroll around the Egyptian spice bazaar where myriad fragrant aromas assault the senses; spices have been traded here since the days of the Silk Road. From the water, the shores of the Bosphorus are lined with palaces, mosques and wooden summer houses that are framed against suspension bridges and the backdrop of modern high rise Istanbul. Disembark in Sariyer and drive over the Bosphorus Bridge to the Anatolian side of the city. Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant sampling a wide variety of Ottoman dishes. After lunch, visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the 19th century summer residence of the Ottoman Dynasty, before driving back to the European side along the waterfront and having coffee or tea at a seaside café.