イスタンブール・コンスタンティノープル城壁とチョーラ教会プライベートツアー

This tour is focused on Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. It presents more features in these contexts than tours to the more popular tourist sites in the city. This is because the building of the walls and related installations was crucial to the defence and therefore the survival of the city. The itinerary is is nicely sequenced, It commences at the Yedikule Fortress ( Seven Dungeons and Golden Gate) and proceeds over several kilometres to the Tekfur Palace ( the palace of the last Roman Emperor) by which time a participant has received a detailed understanding of the principal historical events. The conclusion at the Nakkas Nakilbent Cistern (one of a number of cisterns that supplied fresh water to the city from an underground water table ) completes the narrative by explaining how the city survived lengthy sieges. After all, the walls can be strongly constructed, but the inhabitants needed water otherwise they would have had to simply surrender. In addition to this historical theme, the tour includes a visit to Chora Church / mosque with its truly superb mosaics that tell the christain New Testament story. The mosaic the Assumption of Mary (inside the mosque area) is the jewel in the crown - it is truly stunning. My guide, Aydin, provided a comprehensive commentary of all of the features that are noted above. This tour collects you from your hotel ( selected, I presume) and returns you at the end. This is very convenient. It saves a lot of hassle. The driver was also helpful and friendly in this process. I recommend this tour to people who want to go beyond the regular tourist sites and to really learn the history of Constantinople / Istanbul. The tour was over 5 hours duration, in my case from 10. 00 am to somthing after 3.00pm . Participants have to pay their own entry fees to each of the sites. Most are in Euros, but payment can be by credit card. The most expensive was Chora church / mosque ( 20 euros) but the mosaics are worth it. They are beyond what can be seen elsewhere. In addition photographs can be taken, but without flash.

This was a great tour, the guide really knew his history and facts. We saw a lot in the hours we were there. Chora Church was amazing, the mosaics were beautiful.

Our guide, Aidan/Eiden was very knowledgeable, energetic, pleasant, and seemed to sincerely enjoy his job. We learned a great deal of the history of the Ottoman Empire, saw ruins, a fortress, palace, dungeon, and beautiful mosaics and frescoes in the Corah Church. Our guide was great to offer to take photos of us at various places of interest. Would have preferred if ticket prices were included in cost of tour, but appreciated the individual attention. Some time (just 15 minutes or so) for shopping/souvenirs/beverage would have been appreciated and a bathroom break. Otherwise, we loved getting away from the city center and seeing a different side of Istanbul.

Aydin was a great tour guide, with a clear and infectious love for his city and its history. His English was great, as was his knowledge. This tour of the walls is a little off the beaten path, but shows a fascinating side of the city. The mosaics in Chora/Kariye were magnificent.

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and took his time to thoroughly explain everything to us. I’ll recommend to friends.

İt was our second tour with our guide he was very informative about Old City Walld and Chora Church history and cetainly reccommended

This was an awesome tour. Aydin was extremely knowledgeable and gave us the history behind the walls. My wife and I loved this tour. Definitely worth the time!!! We would highly recommend this tour!!!

This was a great tour. Even on an unlucky day where some entries were cancelled due to snow, I'm very happy. We got to see my main interest (the Walls), and other great items I hand't really knownabout (Chora church). The guide Aydin was knowledgeable, and always had info to share. We were able to customize a few items with extra time due to the closed locations, and I even finished my shopping for family. The hotel pickup/dropoff made it all easy, even from downtown. I'd recommend this, and might even do it again myself in better weather.

I took this tour on an unlucky day when snow closed a few places, but it was still worth it. I got the see the main attraction i was interested in (the Walls), and others that were a great surprise (Chora church). Aydin was a great and knowledgeable guide, and had information to add at all times. The city transfers made this easy to do, even from downtown. We were able to do some custom stops with the extra time from the closed locations, and I was able to finish shopping for family there. The cost was more than other tours I had seen, and I think it was worth it. I'd highly recommend this, and would do it again myself in better weather in the future.

Aydin was great! Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic on the topics. Happy to be our photographer as well and adjust to whatever was best for us. Very cool seeing the city walls and Chora church was awesome!