Egypt and Istanbul

DAY 02 ISTANBUL

Arrival in Istanbul, reception at the airport and free time until check-in time. Accommodation.    

DAY 03 ISTANBUL

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation.

Possibility to take the optional guided excursion (not included – at extra cost) with lunch at a typical food restaurant “BOSPHORUS TOUR”. Departure to admire the spectacular panorama of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti hill; visit of St. George's Cathedral, main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church and seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, recognized as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide; we continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all mosques in Istanbul; we head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with special charm for its colors and aromas, the quintessential spot to buy teas, herbs, nuts, typical sweets and, of course, spices; we culminate with a cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will appreciate the wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas and the bridges that connect both sides of this city. 

DAY 04 ISTANBUL 

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation.

Possibility to take the optional excursion (not included – at extra cost) guided with lunch at a typical food restaurant “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE”: Enter the historic center of the city, where you can observe the variety of remains from the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 hand-made ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia (entrance not included), built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque and also museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years; we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, the kitchens, the royal treasure rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan's wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration. We continue with the church of Aya Irini, a Byzantine church that was not converted into a mosque and we will end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world where bargaining is a tradition.

DAY 05 ISTANBUL 

Breakfast. Free day. Accommodation. At night transfer to the airport to take a flight to Hurghada.

DAY 06 ISTANBUL ✈ HURGHADA 

Arrival at Hurghada International Airport. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Free time until check-in time. Accommodation.