One week holiday to relax in amazing cities, Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul.
• Get off the beaten track in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities
• Visit the highlights as well as the lesser visited spots
• Experience Europe and Asia in one day!
DAY 1- KUALUMPUR ARRIVAL
Arriving in KL, self arranged transfer to hotel and overnight
DAY 2 – DAY 3- KUALA LUMPUR (B)
Free days to relax and discover KL
DAY 4 – KL – ISTANBUL (B)
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.
Istanbul
Once the imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, Istanbul is both a city steeped in history and an exciting modern day hub of activity. Always described as a fusion of East and West, it is not difficult to understand why as you walk through narrow alleys flanked by wooden Ottoman houses to emerge in a funky restaurant and bar strip in the downtown area, the call to prayer mingling with modern Turkish pop. Bisected by the Bosphorous, a strategically significant passage of water which links the Black Sea to the Aegean, the city has several distinct divisions. Across the Golden Horn, a watery cul-de-sac which branches off the Bosphorous, is Sultanahmet which boasts some of the city's finest Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. After exploring the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and Underground Basilica you may like to dine on seafood at one of the countless restaurants along the narrow alleys of downtown Taksim. Afterwards why not board a local ferry to observe the beautifully lit sprawl of Istanbul by night and then finish your evening with the timeless wind-down of smoking a nargileh (Ottoman water pipe). But if nargileh doesn't appeal, there is always a glass of apple-tea to be drunk at the friendly insist
DAY 5 - TOUR ISTANBUL WITH YOUR CITY GUIDE (B)
You'll have a briefing and then begin a half day of exploring the city with your guide. Istanbul City Tour / Half Day
After breakfast your guide for the day will come and collect you from the hotel.
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses.
Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets.
The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.
The Grand Bazaar, was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. (also available on Tuesday afternoons)
*On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit the Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes.
*The Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays
DAY 6 – ISTANBUL – SHOPPING TOUR WT YOUR CITY GUIDE (B)
After breakfast depature for Special Shopping Tour ; your guide fort the day will come and collect you from the hotel.
Visit to Rug Store,Jewellery,Leather,Ceramics,Gift Shops,Supermarkets.Shopping Centre . Afternoon free.
DAY 7 – ISTANBUL (B)
Breakfast at hotel Free day till transfer to the airport for the return flight.
Departures:
 Before 30 November 2009
Single Supplement: $480p.p
Conditions apply
|