Departing from the port, begin with a drive over the Golden Horn to the ancient city of Istanbul aiming for the historical Blue Mosque. Also called the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, the Blue Mosque is a triumph of harmony, proportion, elegance and the only mosque in the world with six minarets. Part of the breathtaking interior is the stained-glass windows creating a marvelous coloured effect and the graceful arabesques decorating the mighty dome and series of small domes. The blue in the name stems from the famed Iznik tiles, which line the walls. Since the Mosque is still in use as a House of Worship, visitors enter through the north side door and must leave their shoes at the entrance.

Exit the mosque and take a short walk across the Ancient Hippodrome to visit the Ibrahim Pasha Palace also known as the Turkish Islamic Museum of Arts. Located on the west side of the Hippodrome, the palace was built by Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha in 1523. Now housing the museum of Turkish and Islamic art, the exhibits include various artifacts from kilims, manuscripts, calligraphy, wood, iron works, stone sculpture to Faience, stained glass, folk art as well as personal belongings of the Prophet Muhamed. The garden level displays the Ethnological collection, devoted mainly to the Anatolia nomads.

You will continue to the Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and it was once the residence of Ottoman sultans and their harem. Mehmet II built the palace-city, home for three centuries of Sultans, in the mid-1400s as a summer palace. Suleiman the Magnificent enlarged Topkapi into the Sultan's principal residence. With the successive Sultans, it grew into a great complex of buildings set in lovely gardens. A series of courtyards connect various buildings which now house an astonishing collection of Chinese porcelain, treasures, the celebrated Topkapi Diamond and Dagger and much more. The sheer size, the incredible wealth and the displayed art treasures always inspire and attract incoming visitors.

Hippodrome was for 1,000 years, the center of Byzantium's life and afterwards for another 400 years, the center of Ottoman life. The Hippodrome was the scene of countless political and military dramas, including rival chariot races. The main monument left today is the impressive granite obelisk, carved in Egypt around 1500 BC and brought to Constantinople in 390 AD.

Continue to the Museum of Hagia Sophia, just a few minutes walk from the Hippodrome. St. Sophia Museum, originating in 326 under Constantine the Great, became Hagia Sophia and was rebuilt on a larger scale during the reign of Emperor Justinian. His intention was that the new building should surpass in splendor all others in antiquity. Marble columns were brought in from temples in minor Asia, Lebanon, Greece and Italy. It is said that 10,000 workers were employed in its construction. In 1934 Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, had Hagia Sophia converted into a museum. Today, the St. Sophia Museum is the most important Byzantine Monument in Istanbul, famous for its immense dome and beautiful frescoes and mosaics. Just across the street from St. Sophia is one of the most interesting and unique Byzantine historical sites in Istanbul, the Cistern Basilica.

The Underground Cistern, known as The Underground Palace, is a 6th century cistern supported by 336 Corinthian columns. The Basilica Cistern is the largest covered cistern in Istanbul. It was built to supply water to the palace complex located nearby. Visitors enter through a small building to the west of Hagia Sophia Square. The ceiling of this forest of columns is made of brick and is cross-vaulted.

Rejoin your coach for a 20-minute transfer to the Chora Museum, located just beyond the ancient city walls. The Chora Museum, built from 1077 through 1081 by Maria Dukaina, the mother-in-law of Emperor Alexius Comnenus, has had many restorations and refurbishments during its long history. Converted into a Mosque in 1500 by the Ottomans, the frescoes and mosaics were cleaned and preserved by the Byzantine Institute of America between 1945 through 1959. The mosaics and frescoes depict the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Dating from the early 14th century, they are beautiful examples of the Byzantine Renaissance.

Conclude your day of touring with a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar, which is one of the most colorful institutions of Istanbul. This Bazaar is composed of two sections, the covered authentic section and the surrounding shops. The covered (authentic) market is a whole quarter/section on its own, surrounded by a wall and entered by eleven gates. Even after a major fire in 1954, the maze of streets and lanes are still one of the greatest sights of the city. Carpets, jewelry, leather goods and a variety of souvenirs are among the major items that are available in the Bazaar with a wide quality and value range. You will have approximately 1 hour to explore the covered section of the market before returning to the pier.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 3 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and 60 to 75 steps. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Limited souvenir shopping is available at the kiosks located in the museums. Due to the nature of this tour, it is not recommended for guests with walkers or wheelchairs. Participants will be required to remove their shoes in order to enter the Blue Mosque. A plastic bag will be provided to carry your shoes while in the mosque. The covered section of the Grand Bazaar is not open on Sundays. Sunday tour participants will only visit the open section of the market that offers high quality artworks and reliable shopping enjoyed by locals. Guests that participate on this tour on Saturdays will visit both sections of the Grand Bazaar. Tour order may vary between coaches and/or groups.