Turkey - Best of Istanbul
Per person sharing
Turkey - Best of Istanbul is an experience of the rich history, vibrant culture, and spectacular scenery of Istanbul with a 6-night stay in a comfortable 4-star hotel. Your package includes 6 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, return airport transfers, and four full-day guided tours with lunch included, allowing you to discover the very best of this fascinating city where Europe and Asia meet.
Tour highlights include visits to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the iconic Blue Mosque, the historic Topkapı Palace, the bustling Grand Bazaar, and a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus. You will also explore the city's Asian side and enjoy a full-day excursion to the beautiful Princes' Islands.
Enjoy free time to sample authentic Turkish cuisine, shop for local treasures, relax in traditional Turkish baths, or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of the world's most captivating cities.
At a glance
| ISTANBUL | 6 Nights at the 4* Aprilis Gold Hotel |
| Accommodation | Standard double room |
| Meals | Breakfast daily |
| Transfers | All Relevant Transfers |
| Tours | IST: Full-day Old City Tour incl. lunch |
| IST: Full-day Bursa Cable Car Tour incl. lunch | |
| IST: Princess Island Tour incl. lunch | |
| IST: Bursa Cable Car & Shopping Tour incl. lunch |
Highlights
> Transfers in Istanbul
> Seats in Coach Tours are conducted with professional English-speaking guides
> Entrance fees are included
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Istanbul - (B)
- A free day in Istanbul for some shopping and exploring this fascinating city
Istanbul (B)
- After breakfast, leave on a Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour with Lunch
- Experience the best of both worlds - literally - on this unique Istanbul boat cruise that combines a scenic Bosphorus cruise with guided visits to both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
- The day begins with a comfortable boat cruise through Istanbul's famous strait past palaces and fortresses, followed by a traditional Turkish lunch at a seaside restaurant.
- Then cross to the Asian side to explore the colourful Kadıköy neighbourhood and the vibrant Moda district — one of the most complete cruise experiences in Istanbul.
Istanbul (B)
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Your Hotel puts you right in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district.
- You can easily walk to major landmarks like the Blue Mosque (7 mins), the Hagia Sophia (10 mins), the Grand Bazaar (5 mins), and the Basilica Cistern (8 mins).
- Enjoy your last day in Istanbul
Inclusions
- Return flights on Turkish Airlines (from JNB)
- Departure and Fuel taxes (subject to change)
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our local representative
- Transfer and transportation as per itinerary in AC vehicle
- Accommodation in selected hotels in a double/twin room sharing
- Meal plan as per itinerary
- Excursions with a Local English-speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Exclusions
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Tours are booked based on Seat in Coach
- Travel Insurance
- Visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- Rate valid for travel between 01 and 31 October 26
- Seasonal supplements may be applicable
- Contact us for any other date of travel required
Country information
Best time to go
The best times to visit Turkey’s archaeological sites and cities are in spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) as the temperature is warm, but not too hot.
High summer (Jun-Aug) can be hot: best time for beach holidays. Winters can be cold and many hotels though city breaks are still an option. Turkey does offer ski options during the winter months
Turkey food & drink
Turkish food is varied and delicious. It’s often meze style – lots of small dishes to sample, including aubergine dips, calamari, borek (stuffed pastries), mashed broad beans and stuffed vine leaves – plenty of options for vegetarians, too. Local food involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form – the smell of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb and chicken permeates Turkey.
A Turkish menu includes wonderful breads, super-sweet baklava (pistachio and syrup pastry) and salty white cheeses. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is easy to find in Turkey, especially in the touristy coastal regions. Efes is the Turkish beer of choice. Raki, grape spirit, is potent.
Turkish coffee is pitch black, very strong and often sweet. Tea is widely drunk and served black
Culture and Language
Turkish is the official language, however, English, French and German are widely spoken in all major cities and tourist areas. Shaking hands is the common form of greetings. Hospitability is a top priority. Pointing fingers at a person a considered rude. Declining an offer is done by putting your hand over your heart. Observe dress code when visiting Islamic sites
Getting around
Train travel is a very popular mode of transport between the major cities. It may be slow but can sometimes offer you some inspiring scenic moments. Coach travel is the most used way of getting around Turkey. Bus routes are relatively cheap and are most comfortable. Just about any city is connected by coach. On certain upmarket coaches, extra legroom and Wi-Fi is offered. If your journey is more than 5 hrs, a 30-minute stop is made about every three hours. Taking a taxi is by far the most convenient way of travel in major cities, but not always the quickest way. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street. Important: only take the official bright yellow taxis. If they do not have a meter, then it is a no go
Tipping
The basic rule is: tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotel staff does however expect a tip between 5 and 20 Turkish Lira. Do not tip taxi drivers but round up the fare. Tour Guides do not depend on tips, however, if a tour has really gone beyond what your expected, a tip of between 20 and 30 Tl will be greatly appreciated