Istanbul Treasures of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires

Study Tour Overview

Constantinople and Istanbul — two names for one city, capital of the mighty Byzantine and Ottoman empires, a city where East meets West, astride two continents, Europe and Asia.  Its shores are lapped by the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, and its monuments are ranged over seven hills. Minarets and domes dominate the famous skyline and a stroll through the streets reveals the city's diverse and magnificent heritage. Hagia Sophia, great cathedral of Byzantium, with magnificent marbles and mosaics vies with Ottoman mosques clad in beautiful Iznik tiles, the Topkapı palace, luxurious residence of the sultans, elegant fountains, bathhouses and bustling covered markets. Every visit to Istanbul is a pleasure, for it is one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

Day 1	Morning flight at c. 9.40am with British Airways from London Heathrow to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel, located on the site of Justinian’s Palace and in the immediate vicinity of the Hippodrome, once Constantinople's great arena for chariot races and public entertainment.
Day 2	A day spent exploring Byzantine monuments, beginning with the venerable 6th-century Hagia Sophia, former patriarchal basilica converted into a mosque in 1453. Continue to the Yerebetan Saray, an extraordinary underground cistern. After lunch, visit the little church of the Saviour in Chora, a jewelhouse of Late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Day 3	We begin our exploration of the Ottoman city with a morning visit to the Topkapı Palace, opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans and political centre of the Empire, with magnificent collections of Chinese porcelain, Ottoman textiles, gold and jewels. After lunch, we visit the Süleymaniye mosque complex, masterpiece of the great Ottoman architect Sinan. Some free time for further exploration.
Day 4	Private boat trip along the Bosphorus, the straits separating Europe and Asia, past castles and ornate Ottoman mansions. We visit the Sadberk Hanım Museum, with its fine archaeological and decorative arts collection. After lunch, we return to the Golden Horn and see the mosque of Rüstem Pasha, Süleyman the Magnificent's grand vizier, its interior covered in high quality Iznik tiles. Conclude the afternoon with a walk through the colourful Spice Market.
Day 5	Morning visit to the mosque of Sokullu Mehmet Pasha, a minor masterpiece of Sinan, its interior adorned with the finest Iznik tilework ever produced, and the Mosaic Museum, with original ornamental pavements from the Great Palace of the Byzantine emperors.  Return to the Hippodrome area to see the mosque of Sultanahmet, also known as the 'Blue Mosque', unique in Turkey with its characteristic six slender minarets. Conclude the morning with a walk through the fascinating streets and caravanserais of the Covered Bazaar and surrounding market area. Free afternoon.
Day 6	Morning drive beside the majestic Land Walls of Constantinople to Yedikule, the 'Fortress of the Seven Towers', built by Mehmet the Conqueror and used as a notorious prison.  Continue across the Golden Horn to the lively area of Beyoglu, once the European district of Pera. Stroll along Istiklal Cad, former 'Grande Rue de Pera', past churches and embassies (now consulates) of the 19th-century European powers. The Pera Museum houses an interesting collection of paintings of Ottoman society and daily life and portraits from the Empire. After a walk down to the Galata Tower, built in the 14th century by the Genoese, free time for lunch before coach transfer to the airport for our return flight to London, scheduled to arrive at Heathrow at c. 7pm.