Ottoman Spirit of Istanbul Tour

Our tour will begin one of the most important holy figures in Ottoman Empire era. We are visiting Eyüp Sultan Hazretleri in Istanbul's Eyüp neighbourhood, outside the city walls, near the Golden Horn, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Camii) stands. The building today dates back to the early 19th century. The mosque complex consists of a mausoleum, the place where the typical born and companion of Muslim prophet Muhammad, Abu Ayub al-Ansari, is said to be buried. We shall visit the tomb as well.

Time to visit one of the best spots offering a breathtaking vista of Golden Horn. Hugging the hill behind the 15th-century Eyüp Sultan Mosque is a sprawling cemetery of strange, beautiful, turban-topped tombs. For the best views, we will head to the hilltop Pierre Loti Cafe, named after the French novelist and naval officer. Loti wrote his 1876 novel Aziyadé at this establishment back when it was called the Rabia Kadın Café. The journey will be with a cable car. We will offer you a very traditional Turkish tea and some Turkish snacks in this beautiful cafe.

The miniature park in Istanbul with its landmark monuments and architectonic masterpieces is the largest miniature park in the world. This is the best location for someone who wants to visit Turkey on a wonderful trip as well as introducing the local and national heritage for today and for the past. Miniatürk “A Story Land,” an open-air miniature park exhibiting scaled models of the most well-known masterpieces creating a fairy tale representation of İstanbul, Anatolia and the former Ottoman territories. It reflects the revival of Turkish culture and history in all its magnificence. Countless models of human figures – such as Muslims in a mosque courtyard, Jews praying in a synagogue, a railroad worker, and a flower seller – are situated throughout the park, portraying the lifestyle of the society through the ages. Most of all, you will enjoy the colourful shopping centre where you may find the best souvenirs in İstanbul.

This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centred here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden colour. At Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. In Eyup district, a little further up, we will take you to the local areas reflects the Ottoman style of architecture.

Our final destination for today will be world's oldest market in Istanbul. where our tour ends. The 554-year-old Grand Bazaar is one of the best shopping opportunities in the world. This is the perfect place to end your tour by shopping in the country for some of your beloved souvenirs. There will be some of the best-known Turkish hand-made tapestries, kilims, souvenirs and decorations made from copper and bronze, high-quality ceramics, onyx and leather goods on sale. You can find in the jeweller's shops all manner of valuable craft accessories, from antique gems to the modern pendants, which are filled with gold, silver and precious stones. Walking around the Bazaar is a journey among charming fragrances of spices, bright colours, sweet sounds, beautiful crafts, and the tenting smell of Turkish coffee, of course. Well, a dazzling traditional Turkish shopping experience awaits you at Grand Bazaar, again, one of the oldest covered markets in the world.