ISTANBUL The Capital of Empires
6 days | Coming soon! | 3 - 8 May 2027
The Capital of Empires
Constantinople and Istanbul, two names for one city, capital of the mighty Byzantine and Ottoman empires, a city where East meets West, astride two continents, Europe and Asia. The shores of Istanbul are lapped by the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, and its monuments are ranged over seven hills. Minarets and domes dominate the famous skyline and a stroll through the streets reveals the city's diverse and magnificent heritage. Hagia Sophia, great cathedral of Byzantium, with magnificent marbles and mosaics vies with Ottoman mosques clad in beautiful Iznik tiles, the Topkapi palace, luxurious residence of the sultans, elegant fountains, bathhouses and bustling covered markets. Every visit to Istanbul is a pleasure, for it is one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
Day to day Itinerary
Day 1
Fly from London to Istanbul. Transfer by private coach to our five-star hotel and enjoy our first meal together.
Day 2
A day spent exploring the Byzantine monuments, beginning with the Hippodrome, once Constantinople's great arena for chariot races and other public entertainment. Continue to the majestic 6th century cathedral of Hagia Sophia, a remarkable testament to Byzantine architectural geometry. After an early lunch together, we visit the little church of St. Saviour in Chora, a jewel of a house with late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. We end the day at the Yerebetan Sarayi, an extraordinary underground cistern with a forest of over 300 columns. Evening at leisure.
Day 3
We begin our exploration of the Ottoman city with a morning visit to the Süleymaniye mosque complex, masterpiece of the great Ottoman architect Sinan, including the Suleyman and Roxelana tombs. After an independent lunch there will be free time for a walk through the covered bazaar. In the afternoon we visit the Topkapi Palace, opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans and political centre of the empire. We see the magnificent collection of Chinese porcelain and Ottoman textiles, as well as the Imperial Treasury with its wealth of gold and jewels. Included dinner.
Day 4
A special treat this morning will be a private boat trip along the Bosphorus, the straits separating Europe and Asia, past castles and ornate Ottoman mansions and palaces. We visit the Sadberk Hanim museum, which displays both a fine archaeological collection spanning the Anatolian Neolithic to Byzantium and a magnificent range of Ottoman textiles, ceramics, calligraphy and metalwork. After a group lunch by the Bosphorus we return to the Golden Horn and see the mosque of Rüstem Pasha, Süleyman the Magnificent's grand vizier. The interior of the building is covered from floor to ceiling in high-quality Iznik tiles. Finally, we walk through the colourful Spice Market, with some time to stroll around the bustling market area. Evening at leisure.
Day 5
Morning visit to the Kucuk Ayasofya, the little Hagia Sophia mosque, continuing to the Dolmabahce Palace to see the opulent state rooms and ostentatious ceremonial hall. The palace’s extravagant 4.5 ton chandelier was a present from Queen Victoria to the sultan, unique in Turkey with its six elegant minarets. Visit the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha, another grand vizier of Süleyman the Magnificent, which now houses the excellent Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. The rest of the afternoon is yours for further exploration or relaxation. In the evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Day 6
After checking out of our hotel, we visit the mosque of Sultanahmet, also known as the 'Blue Mosque'. Drive beside the majestic Land Walls of Constantinople to Yedikule, the 'Fortress of the Seven Towers', built by Mehmet the Conqueror and used as a notorious prison. The Ottoman fortress contains a section of the Byzantine walls, which includes the famous Golden Gate. Drive across the Golden Horn and walk from Taksim Square to the Pera Palas hotel along the former Grande Rue de Pera, the height of fashion among 19th century European residents and still lined with the imposing façades of their former embassies. Our final visit will be to the Pera Museum, a private museum which houses an interesting collection of Orientalist painting. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our late afternoon return flight to London.
Eresin Hotel Sultanahmet
The five-star Eresin Hotel Sultanahmet is located near the main sites in Istanbul, including the Haghia Sophia and Topkapi Palace and is close to the Sea of Marmara. The hotel displays many historic artefacts from mosaics to ceramics and sections of ancient column decorate the bar area. There is a restaurant and rooftop terrace with city views.
With Flights: TBC
No Flights: TBC
Single Supp: TBC
Deposit: TBC
Departure Dates:
3 - 8 May 2027
Duration:
5 nights / 6 days
Your Holiday Includes:
- Return flights (Economy class) from London to Istanbul
- Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the Eresin Hotel Sultanahmet
- Private coach transfers and excursions
- Three evening meals and two lunches
- Guided visits to monuments and museums listed in the programme
- Services of the Tour Lecturer and a Tour Manager
- Detailed programme and study notes
- All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and waiters
Expert Lecturer
Sue Rollin
Sue Rollin specialises in the ancient and Islamic Middle East, India and the Mediterranean. An archaeologist, historian and linguist by training, Sue lectures for the Arts society and the V&A and has led Study Tours in Spain, Sicily, Morocco, the Middle East, Central Asia and India. Sue speaks Spanish, Italian, French and German. She is co-author of two travel guides: the Blue Guide to Jordan and Istanbul: A Traveller’s Guide.
Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.
Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.
Stamina
Please note that most of our tours involve a large amount of walking, across uneven ground and often without the opportunity to sit down for at least half an hour. We ask that clients inform us if they have difficulties before booking to avoid any issues whilst on tour.
