Plan Harmony

Itinerary

Day 1: The Historical Setting of the Ottoman's

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The Hagia Sophia was the primary church of Byzantine Constantinople build by Emperor Justinian I (527-565) and became the most important church of the Christen East. After Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque and was used as such throughout the Ottoman period. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the modern Turkish Republic’s most revered founding father and its first Prime Minister, initiated the process to have the Hagia Sophia transformed into a museum which opened for visitors in February 1935. In 2020 it was converted into a Mosque.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Sultanahmet Mosque/Blue Mosque: built by Sultan Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616, distinguished by its six slender minarets and located in the district of old Istanbul that is named after this Ottoman Sultan. There are 260 stained glass windows throughout the mosque, the central dome is 43 m in height, 33,4 m in diameter and due to the intricately decorated blue, green and red tiles of its interior, it has been referred to as the Blue Mosque. These tiles, produced and painted by hand in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), are an attraction in and of themselves. The Quranic inscriptions we can see throughout the mosque were made by Seyyid Kasım Gubari, one of the most famous calligraphers of his time.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar is located inside the Walled city of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighbourhood (mahalle) bearing the same name (Kapalıçarşı). It stretches roughly from west to east between the mosques of Beyazit and of Nuruosmaniye. The Bazaar can easily be reached from Sultanahmet and Sirkeci by trams (Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı stop). Today the Grand Bazaar is a thriving complex, employing 26,000 people visited by between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily, and one of the major landmarks of Istanbul.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkiye
Looking at the history of the Byzantine Empire, you can see the importance of the Hippodrome. This square was used to hold various competitions and important gatherings in the city. Many people from various social classes have been here through history to hold particular ceremonies and horse races. Their culture and lifestyles are gone, but these monuments remind us of the untold stories about ancient times. According to historians, the square was built in the third century AD. When Emperor Constantine decided in 324 to move his imperial capital to present-day Istanbul, he also ordered the
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Topkapı Palace and Harem (Topkapı Sarayı) are likely to have more colourful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. A visit to the palace's opulent pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: The views of Istanbul

Stop At: Pierre Loti Tepesi, Idris Kosku Cad. Eyup, Istanbul 34050 Turkiye
Pierre Loti Hill (Pierre Loti Tepesi) is named after the famous French novelist and traveler. This place is known for its beautiful view of the Golden Horn. This is a must spot for pictures from various angles. The Cable car ride provides you a great view of the graveyard that holds the grave site of the Sultan and family.
There’s also a restaurant, and the famous Pierre Loti Coffee Shop where you can enjoy the views with a cup of Turkish tea or coffee in hand. It is said that Loti himself would sit in their area and write his well-known novels. The Golden Horn was once the center of the Byzantine and Ottoman navies. As you watch the ships and boats go by, it will take you in a magical journey through history.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Misir Carsisi (Spice Market), Rustem Pasa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambari Sok. No:92 Eminonu - Fatih, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
This unique spice market, also known as Egyptian bazaar, it’s the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Built by the architect Kazim Aga in 1664 and hosts eighty five shops. You can find there Turkish delights and other sweets, jewelry, souvenirs, herbs, big variety of spices, dried fruits and nuts, fresh tea, scarves, lanterns and Nargile! A place that will satisfy all your senses!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dolmabahce Palace, Visnezade Mahallesi Dolmabahce Cd, Istanbul 34357 Turkiye
Built as a rival to Versailles Palace in France, Dolmabahçe Palace is located on the coast of Bosporus, in Istanbul with its all magnificence and glory. In 2019, the number of tourists visiting the Palace was more than 1 million. The Palace never failed to amaze its visitors with its luxury, beauty, flamboyance, and radiance.

The Palace was home to the later sultans of the Ottoman Empire. It was built with European style by Sultan Abdulmecit in 1843-1856 who was trying hard to do reforms and adapt the Ottoman Empire to European image with Tanzimat Reforms.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The calm waters of the Bosphorus Strait beckon you to get aboard and take in the legendary remnants of ancient Constantinople, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. A cruise through the Bosphorus Strait is like witnessing the past and present of Turkey. As you see the ancient monuments, you will also get to see newer buildings and mansions and see how the land has evolved over time. Seeing these monuments from the cruise will give you a panoramic view; a whole different perspective. The sunset from the cruise is awe-inspiring and just cannot be missed.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Taksim Square, Gumussuyu Mh., Istanbul 34435 Turkiye
The word Taksim means "division" or "distribution" in Arabic. Taksim Square was originally the point where the main water lines from the north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of the city (hence the name.) This use for the area was established by Sultan Mahmud I. The square takes its name from the Ottoman era stone reservoir which is located in this area.

There are number of stores to shop and restaurants to try in this area.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Balat and Fener Tour - The Colorful Walls

Stop At: Chora Museum, Kariye Mahallesi, Kariye Camii Sokak, No: 18 EdirnekapI Fatih, Istanbul 34087 Turkiye
One of the most beautiful structures that remains from the Eastern Roman Empire period, the Chora Church nis known for its intricate and stunning frescoes. With a history that goes back to the 4th century, the church has witnessed many historic events that changed the city of old, to the Istanbul of today. The historical beauty of this site is worth every minute of you visit.
Ephesus was a city in ancient Greece. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital by Attic and Ionion Greek colonists. This place holds a special place the heart of Christianity. Ephesus is mentioned in the Bible under the Corinthians.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ahrida Synagogue, Kurkcu cesme Sokak Balat, Istanbul Turkiye
Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey. Often people do not believe that a Jewish community exit in what is predominantly a Muslim country. However, there are clear evidence of the influence of the Jewish people, which can be seen in this neighborhood. This synagogue is located in Balat, once a thriving Jewish quarter in the city. It was built by Romaniotes (Macedonian Jews), dating back to the 1430s, from the city of Ohrid (called 'Ahrid' in Greek) in what was then the Ottoman Empire and is now North Macedonia. Ahrida Synagogue is also the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cathedral Church of St George, Fener Rum Patrikhanesi Sadrazam Ali Pasa Cadesi, Fener, Istanbul 342 20 Turkiye
The Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchy Church also referred to as the Church of Saint George that opened in the 1600s still runs services. Holding holy relics such as the 5th-century Patriarchate throne and relics of Saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, anyone could be naïve to think that they could just walk straight in. However, even though attacks by people intolerant of different religions are rare, safety precautions means that access is strictly screened.
The church also sits near to Phanar Greek Orthodox College, a fully functioning school that implements the Turkish curriculum and additional subjects such as the Greek language. As locals in Turkey often do, they have given it their own names of the red building or castle, resembling its unique architectural style.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Balat, Istanbul Turkiye
One of Istanbul’s best-hidden gems is the colorful neighborhood named Balat. This old district filled with beautiful colored wooden houses and cafes will instantly give you feel-good vibes. The walk in this neighborhood alone is a wonder on its own.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

• Added transportation upon request
• Entry/Admission - Pierre Loti Tepesi
• Entry/Admission - Dolmabahce Palace
• Entry/Admission - Bosphorus Strait
• Entry/Admission - Cathedral Church of St George
• Entry/Admission - Topkapi Palace

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Tour primarily completed on foot; therefore, please wear comfortable clothing. We will use public transit via the tram. Travelers can request vehicle at extra cost. Please contact us for details.
• Most travelers can participate
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
• At Istanbul Guide, we ensure that government rules and regulations outlined by the Republic of Turkey is adhered to at all times.
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

See Availability

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.