We have 2-3 hours private Boat Tours on Bosphorus ( the famous strait which is between Asian and European districts of istanbul ) nearly 17 miles.

3 Sultan's Boats are at your service.You can experience the magic by renting them for your private occasion or joining our routine tours.
When you step onto the Sultan's Boat,you will feel very close to the sea.It's magical to look at Istanbul from this angle the eyes of past Sultans witnessed.This familiar city looks so different from this perspective that you too will be entranced by it,as though you are seeing it for the very first time.You'll surrender yourself to the soothing weather and the beautiful scenery.Slowly your mind will start to wander away into the bygone days of the Ottoman Empire and for a split second you might feel the past and present cross over and you'll feel truly timeless.

OUR REGULAR TOUR SCHEDULE

09:00 ...........Departure from the hotel,
09:30 - 10:15 Hagia-Sophia Church/Mosque Museum,
10:30 - 11:00 Blue Mosque,
11:00 - 11:30 Hippodrome Square,
11:30 - 12:00 Roman Cistern,

12:00 - 13:30 Lunch,

13:30 - 15:45 Topkapi Royal Palace,
16:00 - 17:30 Grand Bazaar,
18:00. .........Back to the hotel,horbour or airport

This Tour Includes :

-English Speaking Private Tour Guide,
-Luxurious Air Cond.Mercedes Mini Van,
-Experienced Driver,
-Parkings and passages ,
-Entrance Fees to the museums,
-Lunch (without the drinks )
-Restaurant service tips

If you prefere to have A PRIVATE TOUR we have another price please ask it.

After a short visit to the famous Egyptian spice bazaar,an unforgettable excursion starts between two continents,Europe and Asia.The cruise will take you along the shoreline,where you will be able to see palaces from the late Ottoman period,Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi,as well as beautiful 19th and 20th century wooden kiosks,mansions and modern villas.You will disembark at Sarıyer,near the mouth of the Black Sea. The trip includes a drive along the Bosphorus strait to the most interesting Ethnological Museum in Istanbul.
The Lunch will be in a Sea Food Restaurant on the Bosphorus.After the Lunch You will go a pleasant drive to the Asian part of Istanbul across the intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge.The first stop will be at Çamlıca Hill,the highest point in İstanbul,for a panoramic view,followed by a short drive to a small village by the Bosphorus,called Beylerbeyi,to visit the 19th century summer palace of the sultans.After a full tour of this palace,including the harem,you will have the opportunity to shop in the village.

This Tour Includes :

-English Speaking Private Tour Guide,
-Luxurious Air Cond.Mercedes Mini Van,
-Experienced Driver,
-Boat Tickets ,
-Entrance Fees to the museums,
-Lunch (without the drinks )
-Restaurant service tips

01-Half Day Bosphorus Cruise,
02-Half Day Asian Istanbul Tour,
03-Full Day Two Continents Tour,
04-Half Day Ottoman Relics Tour,
05-Full Day Ottoman Relics Tour,
06-Half Day Byzantine Relics Tour,
07-Full Day Byzantine Relics Tour,
08-Full Day Ottoman & Byzantine Relics Tour
09-Shopping Tour,
10-Full Day Princes' islands Tour,
11-Turkish Night Tour( DINNER AND SHOW )

Departure early in the morning from your istanbul hotel.
The distance is 380 km.We'll take a ferry from Eceabat to Canakkale(35 min.).After the lunch we'll visit Troy.

Daily Private Troy Tour Schedule

07:00..................departure from your istanbul Hotel,
09:30 - 10:00......the breakfast at Tekirdag,
12.30 - 13:30......lunch at Çanakkale,
14:30 - 15:30......TROY visit,
15:30.................Departure from TROY back to istanbul
18:30 - 19:00.....The dinner at Tekirdag,
22:00.................Arrival to your istanbul hotel & end of our tour

Which includes:

* A Private guide;
* A Private Car;
* The Motorway;
* The Gas;
* The Ferrys;
* The Entrance Fee For The Site;
* The Lunch;
* The Dinner;

You will be picked up from your Istanbul hotel at 6:30 for your Izmir flight TK 0316.Departure is at 08:20 from istanbul and the arrival at 09:20 to Izmir airport.
Your private transfert to Ephesus;the city dedicated to Artemis.Visit the ruins from the period of St.Paul,the Odeon,the Monumental Fauntain,Temples,the Library,its world famous theatre,the ruins of the Artemis temple.
After the lunch visit the House of Virgin Mary where she spent the last days of her life;transfer to the Izmir airport for your domestic flight.

THIS TOUR INCLUDES ?

- Transferts Istanbul hotel-Airport-hotel,Izmir Airport-Ephesus site-Izmir Airport
- Flights Istanbul-Izmir/Izmir-Istanbul
- Lunch
- All the parkings
- Local Tour Guide
- Private mini van during your visits around Ephesus
- Entrance Fees for The House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus Site

EPHESUS TOUR,
TROY TOUR,
HIERAPOLIS TOUR,
APHRODISIAS TOUR,
ASPENDOS TOUR,
SIDE TOUR,
PERGE TOUR,
PRIENE TOUR,
MİLET TOUR,
DYDIMA TOUR,
BOGAZKÖY TOUR,
ÇATALHÖYÜK TOUR,
PERGAMON TOUR,
GORDION TOUR,
SARDIS TOUR,
ZEUGMA TOUR,
KOMMAGENE - COMMAGENE TOUR,

Our top priority is your safety!

We have 3 different helicopter services

TRANSFERS :

AIR TAXI :

SIGHTSEEING TOURS :

GOLDEN HORN + HISTORICAL PENINSULA + BOSPHORUS

See the city from the sky where two continents meet

GOLDEN HORN : Miniatürk, Eyüp Sultan, Piyer Loti, Feshane, City Walls, Kariye Museum, Fener Patriarchate, Fatih Mosque, Galata Bridge, Karaköy Harbour

HISTORICAL PENINSULA : Süleymaniye Mosque, Beyazıt Tower, Kapalıçarşı, Dikilitaş, Ayasofya, Topkapı palace

BOSPHORUS (Asian Side) : Haydarpaşa Station, Haydarpaşa Harbour, Selimiye Barracks, Kız Kulesi, Üsküdar, Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military High School, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Anatolia Castle, Hidiv Kasrı, Küçüksu Kasrı, Karadeniz Entry

BOSPHORUS (European Side) : Tarabya, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Rumeli Castle, Bebek, Bosphorus Bridge, Ortaköy, Çırağan Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, İnönü Stadium, Taksim Square, Galata Tower.

Departure and Landing Point : Miniatürk

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

A New Perspective of Istanbul
Golden Horn
Historical Peninsula (Old City)
Bosphorus

PLEASE NOTE:

Free transfers to/from heliport
Regular tours every Saturday
Private tours available every day
Flights last approximately 20 minutes
Professionally trained pilots
High insurance limits

Cancellation is not possible and there will be no refund in the last 24 hours, even partially. Cengo Travel reserve the right to alter, reschedule or cancel the tour without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances or unsuitable weather conditions.
In the unlikely event of cancellation due to minimum passenger requirements not being met, a refund will be provided.

For regular sightseeing tours Minimum Passenger Requirement: 4

www.istanbulhelicopters.com

BALLOON TOURS

Cappadocia is accepted as the best place to fly with balloons in the world by many pilots. The spectacular landscape of the area makes this experience even more breath-taking. You will pass barely over tree while touching the leaves or float between the heads of fairy chimneys. There are 3 different types of balloon flights in Cappadocia changing according to flight duration and services.

SHORT BALLOON TOURS (1 HOUR )

Short Balloon Tours offer minimum one hour flight time on the air. You are going to be picked from your hotel early in the morning, usually before sunrise and driven to take-off site. While you are having a light breakfast, you will also see the inflation of the balloon get passanger brief which explains basic rules about balloon flights. Right after the passenger brief, highlight of your Turkey trip will start and you will take-off gently. After taking hundreds of pictures over the valleys of Cappadocia, you will land and celebrate your flight with champagne. After getting your flight certificates you will be back in your hotel around 08:30am. So you will have a full day for other activities unless you want a nap.

Short balloon flight is 160 Euro per person including transfers from/to hotel, a light breakfast, champagne celebration, insurance and flight certificates.

DELUXE (LONG) BALLOON TOURS (1,5 HOURS)

By joining the Deluxe Balloon Tours you will have minimum 1,5 hours flight. For people who are professionally interested in photography and aviation, deluxe tours are the perfect choice. The main difference of the deluxe flights, is the longer flight time but you will also fly in smaller baskets with less people, usually between 6 and 10.

Deluxe balloon flight is 250 Euro per person including transfers from/to hotel, a light breakfast, champagne celebration and flight certificates.

VIP BALLOON TOURS (1 Hour 15 Minutes)

What better way to celebrate that special occasion, be it an anniversary, birthday, wedding any other important event, than by taking a balloon flight just for two in a small balloon. Our "Swan Balloon" is different from the other passenger balloons flying in Cappadocia. It only has room for the pilot and two passengers in the basket, so your flight is a very personal experience which can be tailored for you and your partner.

VIP flight offers all services VIP, like private transfer from your hotel to the launch site, special drinks and refreshments on the launch site whilst the balloon is being inflated, a gentle balloon flight for two people lasting around 1 hour 15 minutes, champagne and refreshments after landing and transfer from the landing site back to your hotel in your personal transport. You will also receive souvenirs of the flight and personalised Flight Certificates.

During the flight you will, if you wish, have an opportunity of trying your hand at flying the balloon with hands on experience under the guidance of your pilot.

The cost of this unique experience is 500 Euro per person including all above services.

Whirling Dervish Dance ( Sufi Dance )

Sufism and Dervishes
The origin and roots of Sufism lie in the life and practices of the Prophet of Islam and the Qur’an. Sufism espouses a well-founded and thoroughgoing interpretation of Islam,which focuses on love, tolerance,worship of God,community development,and personal development through self-discipline and responsibility.A Sufi’s way of life is to love and be of service to people,deserting the ego or false self and all illusion so that one can reach maturity and perfection,and finally reach Allah,the True,the Real.

Through the Whirling Dervishes program we hope to bring to you a hint of one of the remarkable ways of achieving this:the way of Rumi,the great Muslim mystic and poet.

The Order of the Whirling Dervishes is one branch of the vast Sufi tradition of Islam. The universal values of love and service shared by all Sufis are very much relevant to the social and political realities of today,and this ritual,which is only performed by the Order of the Whirling Dervishes,has come to symbolize these values in the hearts and minds of millions throughout the world.

The Fundamental Meaning of Sema

THE SEMA RITUAL began with the inspiration of Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi (1207-1273) and was influenced by Turkish customs and culture.

It is scientifically recognized that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. There is no being or object which does not revolve,because all beings are comprised of revolving electrons,protons, and neutrons in atoms.Everything revolves,and the human being lives by means of the revolution of these particles,by the revolution of the blood in his body, and by the revolution of the stages of his life,by his coming from the earth and his returning to it.
However,all of these revolutions are natural and unconscious.But the human being possesses a mind and an intelligence which distinguishes him from other beings. Thus the whirling dervish or semazen,intentionally and consciously participates in the shared revolution of other beings.

Contrary to popular belief,the semazen's goal is not to lose consciousness or to fall into a state of ecstasy. Instead,by revolving in harmony with all things in nature -- with the smallest cells and with the stars in the firmament -- the semazen testifies to the existence and the majesty of the Creator,thinks of Him, gives thanks to Him, and prays to Him.In so doing, the semazen confirms the words of the Qur'an (64:1): Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God.

An important characteristic of this seven-centuries-old ritual is that it unites the three fundamental components of human nature: the mind (as knowledge and thought), the heart (through the expression of feelings, poetry and music) and the body (by activating life, by the turning). These three elements are thoroughly joined both in theory and in practice as perhaps in no other ritual or system of thought.

The Sema ceremony represents the human being's spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to Perfection (Kemal). Turning toward the truth, he grows through love, transcends the ego, meets the truth, and arrives at Perfection. Then he returns from this spiritual journey as one who has reached maturity and completion, able to love and serve the whole of creation and all creatures without discriminating in regard to belief, class, or race.

In the symbolism of the Sema ritual,the semazen's camel's hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego's shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God's unity.While whirling,his arms are open:his right arm is directed to the sky,ready to receive God's beneficence;his left hand,upon which his eyes are fastened,is turned toward the earth.The semazen conveys God's spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema.Revolving from right to left around the heart,the semazen embraces all humanity with love. The human being has been created with love in order to love.Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi says,"All loves are a bridge to Divine love.Yet,those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"

The Ritual Dance or Sema

The Mevlevi (also spelled as mawlawi) Ritual dance or sema consists of several stages with different meanings:

The first stage, Naat-i Sherif, is a eulogy to the Messenger of Islam and the all Prophets before him, who represent love. To praise them is to acknowledge and praise God Almighty Who created and sent them to humanity as a mercy. This eulogy is followed by a drumbeat (on the kudum) symbolizing the divine command ‘Be’ for the creation of the entire universe.

The Naat-i Sherif is followed by a Taksim, an improvisation on the reed flute or ney. This expresses the divine breath, which gives life to everything.

Then follows the Sultan Veled procession or Devr-i Veled, accompanied by peshrev music; this is a circular, anticlockwise, procession three times around the turning space. The greetings of the semazen, or whirling dervishes, during the procession represent the three stages of knowledge: ilm-al yaqin (received knowledge, gained from others or through study), ayn-al yaqin (knowing by seeing or observing for oneself) and haqq-al yakin (knowledge gained through direct experience, gnosis).

During the Sema itself there are four selams, or musical movements, each with a distinct rhythm. At the beginning, during and close of each selam, the semazen testify to God's existence, unity, majesty and power:

The First Selam represents the human being's birth to truth through feeling and mind. It represents his complete acceptance of his condition as a creature created by God. The Second Selam expresses the rapture of the human being witnessing the splendor of creation in the face of God's greatness and omnipotence.
The Third Selam is the rapture of dissolving into love and the sacrifice of the mind to love. It is complete submission, unity, and the annihilation of self in the Beloved. This is the state that is known as nirvana in Buddhism and fana fillah in Islam. The next stage in Islamic belief is the state of servanthood represented by the Prophet, who is called God's servant foremost and subsequently His ‘Messenger.’ The aim of Sema is not uncontrolled ecstasy and loss of consciousness, but the realization of submission to God.
In the Fourth Selam, just as the Prophet ascends to the spiritual Throne of Allah and then returns to his task on earth, the whirling dervish, after the ascent of his spiritual journey, returns to his task, to his servanthood. He is a servant of God, of His Books, of His Prophets, of His whole Creation.

This is followed by a recitation from the Qur’an, the Sura (Chapter) Mary on the miracle birth of Jesus and his mission.

At the end, by the salute, the dervish demonstrates again the number ‘1’ in his appearance, arms consciously and humbly crossed, and, by this, the unity of God.

The ceremony ends with a prayer for the peace of the souls of all the Prophets and believers.
After the completion of the Sema, all the dervishes retire silently to their rooms for meditation and further remembrance of God.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sema is a spiritual act, so please DO NOT applaud while watching. You may kindly do so, if you wish, after the dervishes have left the stage

Cappadocia which is unique in the world and is a miraculous nature wonder is the common name of the field covered by the provinces of
Aksaray,Nevsehir,Nigde,Kayseri and Kirsehir in the Central Anatolian region.In the upper Myosen period in the Cappadocia region as a result of the vulcanic eruptions occurred in Erciyes,Hasandag and Gulludag,in the region was formed a large tableland from the vulcanic tufas and together with the erosion of the Kizilirmak river and wind over ten thausands of years there appeared the chimney rocks which are a wonder of the nature.In the old Bronze Age the Cappadocia which was the population zone of the Assyrian civilization later has hosted the Hittite,Frig,Pers,Byzantine,Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations.The first Christians escaped from the persecution of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century B.C.came to the Cappadocia over the Antakya and Kayseri and they have settled here.The first Christians finding the underground cities from Cappadocia have been hidden in these underground cities which gates were made in such way in which they couldn't be easily observed and they have escaped from the persecution of the Roman soldiers.Due that they had live in the underground cities for long duration without being able to go out they have developed these underground cities by making provisions rooms,ventilation chimneys,wine production places,churches,abbeys,water wells,toilets and meeting rooms.In the prehistoric periods the first human settlements have begun and the humans have constructed the underground cities in the volcanic rocks in form of tufa due to protect themselves from the wild animals and they lived for long times in these underground cities. There are so many underground cities on the Cappadocia area of Turkey but the biggest is Derinkuyu Underground City. In these cities made in form of rooms connected to each others some of the rooms were connected to each other only with the tunnels tight and permitting passing of just a person. At the access gates of these tunnels there were huge stone rollers used for closing the tunnels for security reasons.

Cappadocia Tour Schedule

1 st. day

06:30---Transfert from your istanbul Hotel to the Ataturk Airport,
08:35---Flight with TK 0260 to Kayseri,
09:45---Arrival to Kayseri Airport,
10:00---Transfert to Cappadocia,
11:15---Arrival to Cappadocia & Check in to your Hotel,
12:00---Lunch
13:30---Starting to your visits:Guvercinlik Valley,Kaymaklı Underground City,Sinasos
18:00---Back to the Hotel
20:00---Dinner & Accomodation is at the hotel

2 nd. day

09:00---After the breakfast A Full Day Guided Tour at the region
17:00---Transfert to the Airport,late flight with Onur air To Istanbul
23:10---Arrival to istanbul
23:30---Your private transfert from the airport back to your istanbul hotel,End of Our Services.

(time table can be changed according to the season. summer / winter

Our full package price Which includes :

-Airfares ( two ways )
-English Speaking Tour Guide
-All the Hotel-Aiport Transfers
-A luxury Mercedes Mini Van During the Tour
-Experienced Driver
-Gas
-All the parking fees
-All the entrance fees to the museums
-1 Night Hotel Accomadation on Half Board Basis
-Lunchs
-V.A.T

PLEASE ASK FOR THE DIFFERENT CAVE HOTEL POSSIBILITIES AND THE ACCOMODATION PRICES

Archaeological Museum
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 520 77 40 and 41

The Ataturk Museum

Open daily between 09:30-16:00 except Thursdays and Sundays.
Tel: (212) 240 63 19

Asiyan Museum

Open daily between 09:00-16:00 except Sundays and Mondays.
Tel: (212) 263 69 86

Calligraphy Museum

Open daily between 09:00-16:00 except Sundays and Mondays.
Tel: (212) 527 58 51

Sadberk Hanim Museum
Open daily between 10:00-17:00 except Wednesdays.
Tel: (212) 242 38 13 and 14

Modern Arts Museum
Open daily between 10:00-18:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 334 73 00

Fine Arts Museum
Open daily between 10:00-17:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 261 42 98 and 99

Museum of Painting and Sculpture

Tel: (212) 261 42 98

Caricature Museum
Tel: (212) 521 12 64

Carpet and Kilim Museum

Tel: (212) 518 13 30

City Museum

Tel: (212) 258 53 44

Press Museum

Tel: (212) 513 84 57 and 58

Divan Literature Museum

Tel: (212) 245 41 41 and 243 50 45

Tanzimat Museum

Tel: (212) 512 63 84

Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art (Ibrahim Pasa Palace)

Open daily between 09:30-17:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 518 18 05 and 06

Islamic Sciences & Technology History Museum
Open daily between 09:30-17:00 except Mondays.

Santralistanbul Energy & Arts Museum

Open daily between 10:00-22:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 444 04 28

Bahcesehir College Science Museum

Open daily between 10:00-16:00 except weekends.

Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum

Open daily between 08:30-17:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 256 71 53 and 54

Sakip Sabanci Museum

Open daily between 10:00-18:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 277 22 00

Pera Museum
Tel: (212) 245 20 41 and 252 47 00

Rezan Has Museum

Open daily between 09:00-18:00
Tel: (212) 533 65 32 and 534 10 34

Ottoman Bank Museum

Open to the public during weekdays between 10:00-18:00.
Tel: (212) 292 76 05

Is Bank Museum
Open to the public between 10:00-18:00 except on Mondays, holidays, and 1st of January.
Tel: (212) 511 13 31

Adam Mickiewicz Museum

Open daily between 09:00-16:00, except on Mondays.
Tel: (212) 237 25 45

Ismet Inonu Museum
Open from April to November between 10:00-18:00.
Tel: (216) 351 84 49

Huseyin Rahmi Gurpinar Museum

Open daily between 10:00-16:00, except on Mondays.

Miniaturk
Open daily between 09:00-17:00
Tel: (212) 222 28 82

Toy Museum
Open daily between 09:30-18:00 except Mondays.
Tel: (216) 359 45 50 and 51

SAV Automobile Museum
Open daily between 10:00-19:00 except Sundays.
Tel: (216) 329 50 30

Military Museum
Open daily between 09:00-17:00 except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tel: (212) 232 16 98

Naval Museum
Open daily between 09:00-17:00 except Monday and Tuesdays.
Tel: (212) 261 00 04

Aviation Museum
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Monday and Tuesdays.
Tel: (212) 574 11 00

Fire Brigade Museum

Open daily between 09:00-17:00 except Sundays and Mondays.
Tel: (212) 524 11 25

Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia) Museum
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Mondays.
Tel: (212) 522 17 50

Kariye Museum Church of St. Saviour in Chora
Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Wednesdays.
Tel: (212) 631 92 41

Fethiye Mosque (Pammakaristos Church) Museum

Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Wednesdays.

Mosaics Museum

Open daily between 09:00-16:30 except Mondays
Tel: (212) 518 12 05

Yerebatan Sarayi (Cistern Basilica)


Open daily between 09:00-18:30
Tel: (212) 522 12 59

Binbirdirek Cistern (Binbirdirek Sarnici)

Open daily between 09:00-18:30
Tel: (212) 518 10 01

Istanbultours.info also provides its clients with a variety of additional concierge services,from museum reservations to cell phone rentals to restaurant reservations.We are also happy to help you with your trip planning.
To get started contact us by e-mail: tours@istanbul.com
or simply dial 00 90 532 276 0 666 ( 24 hours )

Istiniye Park
The latest mall to open, the shopping structure even boasts shops and a variety of services in its parking structure! This is the place to get it all, from a 100-inch plasma TV and Bruno Magli's latest sequin dress to a kilo of bananas and a pair and a bag of diapers, Istinye Park has it all.

http://www.istinyepark.com/

Kanyon Shopping Mall

http://www.kanyon.com.tr/

Metro City Shopping Mall

http://www.metrocity.com.tr/

Cevahir Shopping Mall

Cevahir Shopping Mall is biggest shopping center in Turkey. It hosts 34 fast food restaurants as Burger King, McDonald’s , Pizza Hot, Domino’s, Schlotzsky’s, Starbucks, Gloria Jean’s and etc. , 14 exclusive restaurants, 12 cinema saloons, 343 shops and a small rollercoaster. Cevahir Shopping Center administration organizes big concer and celebration montly. Biggest clock in the world is here, on shopping center’s roof. Its width is 25 meters and digits’ 3 meters. There are exclusive marks shop as Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Jack&Jones, Vero Moda, Peacocks, Topshop, Top Man, Miss Selfridge, River Island, Benetton, Mothercare, Esprit, Massimo Dutti, La Senza, Zara, BSB, Adidas, Dockers, Levi’s, Kappa, Fornarina, Reebok, Converse,Lotto, Guess World, Nine West, Bata, Divarese and etc.
http://www.istanbulcevahir.com/english/index.html

Grand Bazaar – Kapali Carsi (Covered Market)
The uncontested shopper's dream, is about five-and-a-half centuries old yet remains the only labyrinthine structure to beat. With more than 4000 tiny shops, whose owners tirelessly haggle for a claim of your purchasing lira, euro, or even dollar – acquiring mementos to take home has gotten a little more complex than just deciding between that silky carpet or that fab leather coat. Jewelry – peddled by some of the best customizers in town – is hot; even natives in the know get their goods here. With some of the most fragrant spices, glazed Kutahya porcelain, knock-off designer accessories, that must-have belly dancer outfit, and dining choices as well as coffee shops all confined on some 60 streets the lure of the Bazaar is delivers the goods.

http://www.kapalicarsi.org.tr/index.php

Our walkig tour will Start at(1)Taksim Square,a massive roundabout with a 1928 monument to Atatürk’s Republic, bus and subway depots,and flashy video billboards.Head down the pedestrian boulevard of İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)to take in Beyoğlu district’s lively music shops,theaters,embassies,churches,and diverse,youthful crowds.This neighborhood’s Parisian feel nods to its history as a center of European-style business,life,and culture.
At(2)Tünel,the café-lined terminus square for İstiklal’s traditional red trolleys,take a short side trip down(3)Galip Dede Caddesi,a cobbled lane lined with modern and traditional musical-instrument shops. On the left pass(4)Galata Mevlevihanesi(Seyh Galip Caddesi 15),a former dervish monastery where the 700-year-old Sufi whirling ritual(sema)is still performed on weekends.End at the landmark(5)Galata Tower(Galata Kulesi),a 14th-century stone guard post built by Genoese settlers to protect their community.
Back at Tünel,Europe’s second oldest subway will take you to the Golden Horn sea inlet.Disembark on the main street of(6)Karaköy(Yüzbası Sabahattin Evren Caddesi), an ancient area of docks and warehouses,now a fascinating warren of shops selling everything from screwdrivers to scaffolding.To the left on the hill behind are the grand edifices of(7)Bankalar,or Voyvoda Caddesi,the former Ottoman banking district home to modern banks,money museums(Voyvoda Caddesi 35/37),and cultural centers (Bankalar Caddesi 2)
Off Karaköy Square is(8)The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews(Perçemli Sokak).Cross(9)Galata Bridge(Galata Köprüsü)at street level to peek into the buckets of multitudes of fishermen,or downstairs to be fished yourself by hawkers from the touristy restaurants,which line the bridge’s outdoor terrace.
Arriving in Eminönü on the other side,visit(10)Yeni Camii(Eminönü Meydanı),a 17th-century mosque built by a sultan’s mother.In its courtyard are tombs of four sultans.Next door browse the spice and traditional medicine shops of(11)Mısır Çarşısı(Egyptian Bazaar),or take in the quirky plant and pet market in the courtyard on the eastern side,which sells saplings next to bunnies and medicinal leeches.
Outside the west walls of the bazaar,the specialty foods and kitchen supply shops of(12)Tahtakale (Hasırcılar Caddesi)are worth a short detour.Buy a bag of Istanbul’s best Turkish coffee from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi (Tahmis Sokak 66)on the first corner.The bazaar’s southern gate leads to(13)Mahmutpaşa Yokuşu, Mahmutpaşa’s glitzy district,for discount bridal wear and tailored “king-for-a-day” or Masallah (coming of age)costumes,which young Turkish boys traditionally don on the day they are circumcised.

We are ready to provide you" a limousin with a driver " for your private istanbul Tours.

We are ready to provide you" a mini van with a driver " for your private istanbul Tours.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Our driver will meet you personally at your terminal arrival gate or platform with a board with "Your Name" written on. You will be escorted to your vehicle, with no-fuss or waiting. Then you can relax as the driver takes care of your trip to your hotel or accommodation or other transfer point. Don't worry also about rushing to get your flight. With an organised transfer shuttle, we can take you direct to the airport with no stress.We are always willing to provide assistance with luggage.Unlimited time of waiting and parking payment are already included into a rate.