Private Tour: Istanbul Old City and Pottery Workshop

Istanbul is a city that has historical and modern sightseeing places. The city has a rich history of 2,500 years. Begin your full-day tour at the Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races during the Roman and Byzantine era. See the ancient monuments which stand here to this day, such as the Obelisk of the Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.

We continue to the Blue Mosque. Famous for its beautiful courtyard and impressive minarets, the mosque gets its nickname from the splendid blue tiles that cover its interior walls and is probably the most photographed site in Istanbul.

The tour continues with a visit to Topkapi Palace, home to the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Today Topkapi Palace is a spectacular museum that houses the Muslim world’s holiest relics, including the cloak and sword of the Prophet Mohammed.

After a short break for lunch, our next venue is the Hagia Sophia, one of the world's architectural gems. An ancient basilica dating back to the 4th century, the Hagia Sophia stood as the Cathedral of Constantinople for over a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in 1453; today it serves as a museum attracting people from all over the world. We end your tour at Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world, where you may find all kinds of gifts, leather, clothing, rugs, antiques, and jewelry in an authentic Oriental atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of this bustling bazaar, and shop till you drop!