Europe / asia
We meet at Malta International Airport at 04:00 for flight KM514, which departs at 06:00 and arrives in Istanbul at 10:30. Transfer by coach to the city centre in the vibrant Beyoğlu district, specifically Taksim Square, where the streets are beautifully decorated for Christmas. Check-in at the 4-star Taxim Gonen Hotel and room allocation. Afterwards, we take a short orientation walk with our tour leader to begin enjoying this lively and charming area. In the evening, we organise a special dinner cruise on the Bosphorus including food, drinks, live music, and belly dancing.
After a buffet breakfast, we offer you the Istanbul Historical City Tour, one of the most fascinating excursions. With a local guide, we explore the old part of Istanbul, starting with a visit to Hagia Sophia and then the iconic Blue Mosque, known for its beautiful blue tiles and built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. We then visit the Hippodrome area and its three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. We break for a paid lunch, followed by photo opportunities near the grand Topkapi Palace, former residence of Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. We also visit the fascinating Underground Cistern and end the tour with free time at the Grand Bazaar – one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, featuring 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. We then return to the hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy a full free day for personal sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul’s many bustling districts. For those interested, we offer an optional excursion to the romantic city of Bursa. During the visit, we explore the city centre and enjoy an included lunch. We then take the cable car (ticket not included) up to Uludag Ski Centre, where you’ll have free time to enjoy the snow and scenic views. Afterwards, we return to Istanbul.
After breakfast, we embark on another fascinating excursion, beginning with a visit to the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace – a must-see landmark in Istanbul known for its grandeur. Next, we enjoy a paid Bosphorus Cruise, offering breathtaking views of both the European and Asian sides of the city. We’ll also pass by the Sea of Marmara as it meets the Black Sea. Our final stop will be at the colourful and aromatic Spice Market. Afterwards, we head to Istanbul Airport for flight KM515, which departs at 22:10 and arrives back in Malta at 22:50.