Istanbul and Bursa — 7 nights: 5 in Istanbul, 2 in Bursa

The itinerary is designed to cover many of the main sights during a short stay.

Programme details

Designed for tour groups  

Accommodation: a four-star hotel with breakfast in Taksim, near İstiklal Avenue. 

Transport: airport arrival and departure transfers, tours and return travel to Bursa included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport welcome and transfer to the hotel

On arrival, our team will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Free time is available for shopping in Taksim and on İstiklal Avenue, home to many international shops and cafés. 

Tours: three in Istanbul and one in Bursa.  

Museums and Istanbul landmarks tour

 Depart from your hotel for the Hippodrome, followed by the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and its Islamic collections, the Grand Bazaar and Olivium shopping centre, then return to your hotel.

Note: the Hagia Sophia visit is optional.

Bosphorus cruise, Çamlıca Hill and shopping.

 Depart from your hotel for Kabataş or Eminönü. Enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour Bosphorus cruise along the Asian and European shores, passing waterfront palaces, Ottoman mansions, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the Bosphorus Bridge and mansions featured in television series.

Istanbul’s streets are steeped in history and have inspired many poets. From Çamlıca Hill, admire the city spread out like a magnificent painting, then visit a well-known shopping mall on the Asian side before returning to your hotel.

Note: a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace is optional.

Princes’ Islands tour.

 Depart from your hotel for Kabataş or Eminönü, then sail for one and a half hours to Büyükada. Your guide will introduce the island. Enjoy lunch on the waterfront, known for its seafood, followed by free time from 2:30 p.m. until the return to your hotel.

Bursa tour. 

In Bursa, visit the Turkish clothing market, then take the cable car up Uludağ for scenic views, winter snow and photographs. Have lunch beside the remarkable plane tree, estimated to be over 600 years old. Continue to the Silk Market and the twenty-domed Grand Mosque, one of the early Ottoman mosques. End with a visit to a famous Turkish delight factory before returning to Istanbul.

Airport transfer and journey home 

What is included?

Accommodation in a 4-star hotel with breakfast 

All sightseeing excursions, including entrance tickets

A specialist tour guide on every excursion

Airport arrival and departure transfers and transport during excursions

Return domestic flights

What is not included?

Personal expenses

Tips

International flights