Ontdekt de oude stad van Istanbul in een halve dag
Beschrijving
De activiteit begint met het ophalen van uw hotel om het Romeinse Hippodroom, de Blauwe Moskee, de Hagia Sophia en de Grote Bazaar te bezoeken met de commentaar van onze erkende lokale gids. Deze 4 uur durende tour geeft je de kans om jezelf binnen een halve dag te verwennen met de schoonheid en de schatten van de oude stad.
Rondreisopties
Reisroute
Het Hippodroom was een centrum voor sport en amusement in het oude Constantinopel, de Oost-Romeinse hoofdstad, en een belangrijk centrum voor politiek aangezien sport en politiek in deze tijd nauw met elkaar verweven waren. Geen wonder dat de Hippodroom door de geschiedenis heen een startpunt was geweest voor opstanden en politieke bewegingen. Echo's van kreten van slaven die op strijdwagens rijden in woeste races en de inspirerende woorden van intellectuelen en dichters die de vlam van openbare bewegingen aanstaken, doen nog steeds denken aan die met een krachtige verbeeldingskracht.
De Sultan Ahmed-moskee, ook bekend als de Blauwe Moskee, wekt bewondering met de delicate Ottomaanse tegels die de muren van het heiligdom sieren. De bloemenpatronen van de tegels en de goed verlichte, ruime binnenruimtes getuigen van de eeuwigheid van de Ottomaanse geest.
Het heiligdom van de Heilige Wijsheid, een prachtige Byzantijnse basiliek gebouwd in de 6e eeuw, markeert de gouden eeuw van Justinianus. De koepelvormige constructie van het heiligdom is een architecturale innovatie en was zo rijk en artistiek versierd dat Justinianus uitriep: "Salomo, ik heb u overtroffen!". De mensheid zou millennia moeten wachten voordat ze een kathedraal konden bouwen die de gigantische omvang van de Hagia Sophia zou overtreffen. Omgebouwd tot een moskee na de Ottomaanse verovering van de stad, in opdracht van Sultan Mehmed de Veroveraar in 1453, toen de jonge Sultan een goddelijk voorgevoel vervulde door de Heilige Profeet Mohammed zelf. In 1935 werd het gebouw omgebouwd tot een museum door de uitvoerende orde van Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, de grondlegger van het moderne Turkije. Hagia Sophia, waarvan de status in juli 2020 werd omgebouwd tot moskee, neemt haar bezoekers sindsdien mee op een reis door de meerlagige textuur van de geschiedenis als moskee.
De grootste, oudste en meest aantrekkelijke overdekte bazaar ter wereld, waar mensen al eeuwenlang sieraden, tapijten, eten, parfums en zelfs roddelen! De rondleiding omvat ook een korte demonstratie van Turkse tapijten.
Hoogtepunten
Wat is inbegrepen
Beoordelingen van reizigers
Belangrijke informatie
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Baby's en kleine kinderen kunnen in een wandel- of kinderwagen mee
- Opties voor openbaar vervoer zijn in de buurt aanwezig
- Kinderen moeten bij een volwassene op schoot zitten
- Reizigers moeten ten minste een gemiddelde conditie hebben
Beoordelingen(20)
I had an amazing tour around Istanbul with Cenk. He is very knowledgeable about the city’s history and was excited to share Turkish culture with me. I learned so much about Istanbul and what it means to be Turkish through visits to some of Istanbul’s greatest attractions. We shared stories over numerous cups of tea and coffee and I am happy to leave Istanbul with a new friend. I highly recommend Cenk to anybody looking to visit Istanbul.
Im a travel agent and booked this tour for my clients. The city tour - the guide didnt show up until the last 20 minutes of the tour and met them at grand bazaar when they were pretty much done. Some miscommunication between driver and guide, allegedly. The driver dropped them to the hagia sofia and blue mosque. They did the tour on their own. The funny thing is that we chose Traveliums tour over the others because it had better reviews, and promised hotel pickup and drop off. But then Travelium refused to provide those services until we insisted and showed that it was mentioned under Inclusions. Very disappointed.
Interesting buildings especially the Cistern. Mosques I have seen many in my life, yes of course beautiful but I prefer others. I expected to be struck so too my husband and daughter by the beauty of the city and we were rather disappointed. The grand bazaar and spice market (the latter recommended) are ultra expensive places made for naive tourists, there is no craftsmanship and they are all the same. The shop assistants are obsequious and unbearable as ever. Let's not talk about these stores that sell all the fake luxury brands, I remember it's a perfect scam, they're just gross. You have to go a long way to find out which authentic store. That's what's missing in that city, the authenticity is gone, the Ottoman palaces are reduced to very few and a city on a disorderly urban level. It is densely populated and everything is done for the average tourist looking for a possible oriental scent gone in the mists of time. The famous Taksim Square is an absolute disappointment and ugliness, can it be that no one realizes it? The street that precedes it is crowded like Oxford street, with western shops from globalisation and is a mega bolgia. We liked the Asian part better. Less touristy, no salesman "attacks" you In fifty languages and you breathe a more authentic air and there we ate decently and saw some interesting palace. Now it may be that Istanbul was a beautiful city but tourism ruined it as it ruined Greece, Crete and North Africa and tourists are happy because they can buy cheaper clothes from Mango or Zadar. Long live smart tourism! If I were Turkish I would be very angry to see that the Western tourist exploits me in this way. But no, what it means is: "I was in Istanbul this weekend and bought the Gucci (plastic) for 200 euros instead of 3000 euros. That's cool! Conclusion most beautiful city in Europe certainly not. Those who travel minimally cannot say that.
This was a fantastic tour by Cenk. I found Cenk personable, knowledgeable and fun. Definitely 5 star
Ilker was our guide for two days. Our group of 15 found him to be extremely informative with terrific English skills. His enthusiasm for showing us Istanbul was really genuine, and he made sure to show us the lesser known spots. No one wanted leave this incredible city, and we will definitely call Ilker should we have another similar chance to tour.
I had just one afternoon in Istanbul and asked my hotel to arrange a guide - I could not have been luckier than to wind up in Cenk’s friendly, knowledgeable and genial company, guiding me through a few key sights. We walked and talked, he was so informative, interesting and forthright, a highly intelligent and gracious ambassador whose services I wholeheartedly recommend. He is also a wonderful photographer, deftly capturing scenes and views from perfect angles! Whenever I’m lucky enough to be back in Istanbul or have family/friends visiting this magical ancient capital, I’ll know in advance that Cenk will be my guide.
This past week my mom, grandma and I got to enjoy Istanbul in every way possible! We stayed at the Raffles hotel, where they arranged a private tour for the three of us with car service (since getting a taxi or Uber is really difficult). One of our highlights was meeting Reggie our guide for the day, and now friend for life! He showed us around the old city and explained every detail from an Art Historian perspective, as a native of Istanbul, and as someone who is very passionate about transmitting his knowledge onto everyone. Reggie also showed us the best spots for shopping at the grand bazar, without him we would have been lost in the 5,000 stores that are inside the bazar. He really helped us in every aspect, from translating, negotiation and getting the best quality out there. We are so happy we met Reggie, he is one of the most amazing human beings you can come across. As mentioned before, not only as someone to trust their knowledge but as a friend for life. Xxx Federica
Reggie is the fantastic guide!! Strongly recommend! Great knowledge of history!! Had the great time rediscovering the placed I have visited several times before.
Unique. Informative. Worth every dollar. Gurcan was our tour guide and we did a four hour with him (with an hour kicker at the end). He was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Our tour consisted of the Hagia Sofia, The Blue Mosque, Open Air Museum, and most importantly The Grand Bazaar. He taught us the extensive history and gave us the insider look of Istanbul with fun facts. Introduced us to good friends and contacts in the Bazaar (which is very important!).
My family and I went to the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, and Basilica Cistern with tour guide Recep Aydin, and he was absolutely amazing. I have been to many countries, and I used many tour guides before, and Recep is the best tour guide I have ever had. He was extremely friendly and had great recommendations, lots of patience, gave great information about the history of Istanbul, and accommodated to our needs very well. I would 100% use Recep again for another tour in Turkey!
