Morning Flight to Istanbul which once was the capital to two major Empires. Drive over Galata Bridge to the old town which was once known as Constantinople, continue to the Hippodrome, the center of activities during the Byzantine era and Ottoman Empire time for four hundred years. Here the chariots thundered the skies and grounds had been the scene to countless military and political dramas. See the Constantine Obelisk, the Serpentine Column which was a memorial, was brought from Greece and Egyptian Obelisk which was once located at the Karnak Temple in Luxor. Enter to the Blue Mosque (The Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I), world-renowned for the thousands of blue glazed tiles covering the walls. See the grandeur of a 17th Century old masterpiece. Later walk to St. Sophia which was a mighty church at the center of Byzantine Constantinople. The building dates to 535 AD and was built by Emperor Justinian. It was converted to a Mosque in 1452. Today it is a museum. See the largest cupola and fine Byzantine mosaics of the Church. Visit The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua the most prestigious Catholic Church in Istanbul. An imposing red brick building, it was originally built on this site in 1725, but was demolished in the early 20th Century, in order to make way for a tramway. However, the church was rebuilt by the architect, Giulio Mongeri and completed in 1912, and stands as a fine example of the Italian neo-Gothic and Tuscan-Lombard styles. Celebrate Mass and continue the day with a tour of Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath the city that provided a water filtration system for the buildings nearby. Today it’s popular tourist attraction. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.

Morning drive thru Golden Horn and visit Church of Chora. The first Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora (as it was originally known) was built during the reign of Justinian (527-565) on the site of a former chapel that was located just outside the first city walls (but within the Theodosian Walls that still exist today) that surrounded the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. The word chora is the ancient Greek word for countryside – a reference to the fact that the original chapel was outside the city walls, in what would have been fields. The mosaics of the former Chora Church tell biblical stories, which can be followed like a graphic novel. On the North wall of the inner narthex there are 17 images depicting the life of the Virgin Mary, including her birth, first steps, and marriage. Next, visit Balat old Jewish neighborhood. Its name from the Greek word “palation”, meaning Palace. Balat has unique architecture, churches,synagogues, trade guilds and social life. Visit Cathedral of Holy Spirit ;the Cathedral, built in Roman style in 1845- 46, has been the See for ten years, from 1934 to 1944, of the Apostolic Delegate Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who later became Pope with the name of John XXIII. and in 2016 has been canonized. His portrait, on the left of the cathedral was painted in 2000, when his name was given to the street behind our cathedral. This cathedral is the main spiritual center for the Latin Catholics of the Vicariate of Istanbul, who is the Pastor (Apostolic Vicar – Bishop) of the Latin Community. The Holy Spirit Cathedral gave a warm welcome to four popes, whose names are written on the commemorative plaques on the church walls. Celebrate Mass. In the evening cruise Bosporus between 2 continents, Europe and Asia. Dinner with Turkish show during the cruise. Overnight at Hotel.

Start our day at Topkapi Palace, a huge walled complex hugging the Bosporus. Built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans is now a museum that houses the artifacts dating back six centuries. The extraordinary collection includes the imperial treasury, weapons, calligraphy, Chinese porcelain, art, artifacts and jewels. Arrive and visit famous Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) It is one of the oldest bazaarsin the city dated 17th century. Spice market took its name from the fact that goodsfrom the Far East and India arrived here from Egypt on the so-called Mısır Kervani (Egyptian Caravan) Finally, you will be taken to the Grand Covered Bazaar, a bargain-hunters paradise with its tantalizing maze of nearly 4000. The narrow alleys are filled with shops offering jewelry, carpets, leatherware, copper goods, spices, herbs and more. This promises to be one of the most rewarding shopping experiences. Farewell dinner and restful overnight.

Following breakfast at your Hotel transfer to the Airport for your return flights Home