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  • Departing from?Dublin + 3
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  • When?March 2015
  • How long for?7 nights
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Introduction
Itinerary
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from €799pp
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Istanbul City Break
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Istanbul City Break

  • 4 Night Holiday
  • B&B
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Spend an unforgettable holiday exploring Istanbul. Formerly known as Constantinople, the city has been hugely influential throughout the centuries having played host to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Rulers. Empires may have come and gone but what has been left behind is not only the remnants of a bygone era but also a rich cultural diversity which is clear to see today in everyday life.

The historic areas of Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcase a host of masterpieces of the city's eloquent history, notably the 17th century Blue Mosque and St. Sophia's Church, the most important structure of the Byzantine Empire. The city was seen as the capital of the world in the Middle Ages given its strategic location, being a central trading place for the western Christian and eastern Muslim civilisations.The city today embraces its historical and cultural diversity and we are sure you will too!

 

Map of Turkey

Practical Information for this holiday

Currency
Turkish Lira (£, TRY)  
Local Time
Ireland/UK Time +3 hours
Passport
EU Citizens require a tourist visa to enter Turkey. Click here for more information.   Six month passport validity is also required from the date of entry to Turkey. Please check your passport in plenty of time before travel.
Climate
In Autumn/Winter, the weather can be chilly and rainy, with occasionaly  sunny days. In Spring/Summer, the weather is hotter and more humid. Summers are relatively dry, but rain does occur all year round.
Food & Drink

Turkish food is delicious, healthy and fresh. You can expect to eat lots of olives, salads, feta cheese, freshly caught fish, yogurt based dips, and grilled or slow cooked shredded meats. 
Packing List
  • Your valid passport
  • Sunscreen 
  • A continental plug adaptor
  • A small backpack
  • A sun hat
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Camera
  • Insect repellent
Recommended Reading

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Lost Love Found by Beatrice Small

Birds without Wings by Louis de Berniers

Holiday highlights

Istanbul Byzantine Hippodrome

This city park used to be the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of chariot races, gladiator fights and musical entertainments. Monuments which can be seen at this site include the 3500 year old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, brought to Constantinople in 390AD, the Walled Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
Istanbul's imperial Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I 
Known as the ‘Blue Mosque’ because of its interior tiles, this is the masterwork of Ottoman architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga. The Mosque is situated on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium.
The Church of the Holy Wisdom 
Known as St. Sophia Church in English, this is a former Byzantine church and former Ottoman mosque in Istanbul. Now a museum, the church is universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world.

Practical Information for this holiday

Currency
Turkish Lira (£, TRY)  
Local Time
Ireland/UK Time +3 hours
Passport
EU Citizens require a tourist visa to enter Turkey. Click here for more information.   Six month passport validity is also required from the date of entry to Turkey. Please check your passport in plenty of time before travel.
Climate
In Autumn/Winter, the weather can be chilly and rainy, with occasionaly  sunny days. In Spring/Summer, the weather is hotter and more humid. Summers are relatively dry, but rain does occur all year round.
Food & Drink

Turkish food is delicious, healthy and fresh. You can expect to eat lots of olives, salads, feta cheese, freshly caught fish, yogurt based dips, and grilled or slow cooked shredded meats. 
Packing List
  • Your valid passport
  • Sunscreen 
  • A continental plug adaptor
  • A small backpack
  • A sun hat
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Camera
  • Insect repellent
Recommended Reading

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Lost Love Found by Beatrice Small

Birds without Wings by Louis de Berniers

Trip Itinerary - Day by day

Day 1 - Travel to Turkey

Morning

Travel to Turkey

Upon arrival in Turkey, you will be met by our local representative in the arrivals area of the airport before being transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Istanbul

Morning

Tour of Istanbul

Enjoy a morning city tour of Istanbul, which will include visits to the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum (viewed from the outside, closed on Mondays), the Egyptian Obelisks, the Roman Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace. This lively city is a perfect combination of modern and ancient, displaying a range of architecture from majestic skyscrapers to historic mosques, temples and churches. The afternoon will be at leisure, to relax and get to know your surroundings. Your guide will be happy to suggest places of interest.

Day 3 - Asian side of Istanbul

Morning

Asian side of Istanbul

After breakfast, set off on a half day guided city tour of Istanbul’s Asian side including Camlica Hill, where you can have a panoramic view of Istanbul, you will also have a view of Beylerbeyi Palace as you pass by, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans.

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Afternoon

At Leisure

The afternoon will be at leisure. Your guide will be pleased to advise on sightseeing suggestions to suit your interests, like a cruise down the Bosphorus, or the Spice market, Istanbul is a big city and there is lots to see.

Day 4 - At Leisure

Full Day

At Leisure

You will have today free to take in some sightseeing and shopping at your own pace. You might like to visit the Underground Cistern, a fascinating network of water channels and ornamental pillars, dating back to Roman times. Another Istanbul highlight is the Grand Bazaar, a sprawling, lively covered market where you can haggle with vendors while drinking apple tea and enjoying the unique atmosphere.

Day 5 - Return Home

Full Day

Return Home

Transfer by coach from your hotel to Istanbul Airport for your flight home, with guide assistance.

* We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.

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Hotel & accommodation available for this trip

Larespark Hotel 4

Located only a 3 minutes walk from Taksims main square and close to the lively Istiklal street for shopping, bars and restaurants. LaresPark has a cafe where you can enjoy some tempting cakes while sipping on your Turkish coffee, in the evening unwind with a cool drink at the bar... read more read more read more

Located only a 3 minutes walk from Taksims main square and close to the lively Istiklal street for shopping, bars and restaurants.

LaresPark has a cafe where you can enjoy some tempting cakes while sipping on your Turkish coffee, in the evening unwind with a cool drink at the bar after a busy day out. In your fee time indlugle with a refreshing dip in the indoor swimming pool, or a relaxing massage in the health club, after your days exploring the many exotic sites Istanbul has to offer.

Hotel address
Larespark Hotel
Topçu Caddesi,No.19
Taksim
İstanbul
Istanbul
View available dates for this hotel

* Some hotel facilities may be seasonally operated or under maintenance and therefore unavailable at the time of your stay. Charges may apply for certain facilities.

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Price, taxes, flight times & availability are subject to change. E&OE. Price based on per person, sharing. Single Supplement cost may apply.

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  • Single Supplement from €149.00
  • Baggage from €40.00
  • Insurance from €12.50
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Why us?

  • We’ve done the research for you, creating perfectly planned itineraries
  • Outstanding value for money – Flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions included in nearly all our tours
  • We are experienced and dedicated to your experience
  • No holiday surcharges –
    guaranteed

Our guides

  • Friendly and welcoming everywhere you go
  • Local experts, passionate about their area
  • Take pride in making your holiday memorable
  • Innovative itineraries with amazing excursions

 

 

Our promise

  • To remember your holiday is a very precious time
  • To go the extra mile for you, our customers
  • To describe our holidays in an honest manner
  • To use your feedback to continually improve our service

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  • 24/7 emergency contact number while abroad
  • We are a privately owned business and have been around for over 20 years
  • Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 163 & TA 0692