Cruise Extensions ~ Explore Istanbul

Cruising in the Mediterranean, Aegean or Black Sea presents some wonderful opportunities to see more of Turkey. Either before or after your cruise, consider some of these short extensions to expand your experience in a land rich in history, culture and natural wonders.

Day 1

Begin your tour of the Old City with a visit to Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmed the Conqueror between 1465 and 1478 as his imperial palace. Highlights of the museum include the Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain collections, the treasury rooms and the famed harem. Enjoy lunch at Yesil Ev, one of the last remaining 19th-century Istanbul mansions.

In the afternoon, tour the Hagia Sophia, undoubtedly one of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and among the world’s most impressive structures. Built in the 6th century on the orders of Emperor Justinian, it served as the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople for 900 years. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror converted it into a mosque in 1453 and it was Istanbul’s most important mosque for almost 500 years. It has been a museum since the 1930s. Take time to admire the richly decorated interior of gold mosaics and marble. Continue to the nearby Underground Byzantine Cistern built to supply water to the city. Afterwards, browse the sprawling 550-year-old Grand Covered Bazaar housing over 4,000 shops.

Day 2

Begin your morning at the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine life, which houses the impressive granite obelisk of Emperor Theodosius. Carved in Egypt in 1500 BCE, the obelisk is covered with hieroglyphs. Theodosius brought the obelisk to Constantinople in 390 CE and added military engravings of his likeness. Visit the Blue Mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616 with the unusual feature of six minarets. Step inside, without your shoes, and view the wonders of the Blue Mosque – its enormous domes, beautiful stained glass windows and magnificent blue Iznik tiles. Visit Istanbul’s largest mosque, the gorgeous Suleymaniye, and then wander through the Spice Bazaar before returning to your hotel. This evening, dine at Leander’s Tower, built in the 12th century as a lighthouse and now one of Istanbul’s famous landmarks. Learn about the mythical history of the tower from your guide as you make your way there and enjoy the spectacular views as the sun sets over Istanbul.

Day 3

Visit the “new” palace of the sultans on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The magnificent Dolmabahce Palace was built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I and continues to astonish visitors with its décor, including crystal-lined staircase and five-and-a-half-ton crystal chandelier lit by 750 lights.

Take an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus, a wonderful way to view the summer palaces of the Ottoman sultans and the 15th-century fortress of Rumeli Hisari. This evening, experience world-famous Turkish cuisine at one of the renowned restaurants on your last evening in Istanbul.

Day 4

Depart Istanbul on your Mediterranean cruise or by air to your next destination.