Constantinople

Dates:

08/04/26-13/04/26

Flights via Athens with Aegean

A3 901 Larnaca–Athens 05:00–06:45

A3 990 Athens–Istanbul 08:15–09:50

A3 991 Istanbul–Athens 10:40–12:10

A3 904 Athens–Larnaca 13:10–14:50

Itinerary

Day 1: Larnaca – Istanbul (via Athens)

Arrival in Istanbul early in the morning. Meeting with our Greek-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel. Free time to rest, and for those who wish, we will take a walk to explore the Pera district, where we will see the Church of the Holy Trinity, the largest Greek church in the City. We will then stroll along the Grand Avenue of Pera, with its impressive neoclassical buildings such as the Sismanoglio Megaro, the Galatasaray Lyceum, the Catholic Church of St. Anthony, and the Flower Passage.

Lunch at KEBAP HOUSE.

We will end at the famous The Central Palace Taksim hotel, located in Taksim Square.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Classic Tour & Grand Bazaar

After breakfast, transfer to Sultanahmet Square, where we will visit Hagia Sophia, the Ancient Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), and the Basilica Cistern of Justinian.

Lunch at ŞERBETHANE restaurant.

Visit to the picturesque and bustling Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar) with its 100 streets and 4,000 shops.

Return to the hotel.

Day 3: Dolmabahçe & Princes’ Islands (Epitaphios Procession)

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the world—the “Versailles of the East”—located on the Bosphorus.

We then depart for the Asian side of Istanbul. After crossing the large suspension bridge over the Bosphorus, we will admire both the Asian and European shores.

We continue to the Bostancı pier, where we board the boat for a full-day excursion to Halki and its Theological School, and to Büyükada, the most famous of the Princes’ Islands.

Lunch at MILTO RESTAURANT before the service.

On our final stop, Büyükada, we will attend the Epitaphios Service at the Church of St. Demetrios and follow the procession through the island’s charming alleys.

Return to Bostancı and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Balıklı – Chora Monastery – Blachernae – Patriarchate – Resurrection Service at Holy Trinity, Taksim

After breakfast, transfer to the Holy Spring of Zoodochos Pigi (Balıklı) and the Patriarchs’ Tombs, passing by the Theodosian Walls and the Golden Gate of Byzantium.

We continue to the Chora Monastery, famous for its mosaics preserved in the inner and outer narthexes.

Next, we visit the Church of Panagia of Blachernae.

Our final visit is to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, where we will see the Church of St. George and the Closed Gate.

Return to the hotel.

In the evening, we will travel by coach to Agia Paraskevi and then walk to a restaurant in Therapia overlooking the Bosphorus to attend the Resurrection Service.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 5: Bosphorus Cruise & Egyptian (Spice) Market

After breakfast, transfer to the pier for a cruise along the Bosphorus, from where we will admire the modern suspension bridge connecting Europe and Asia.

Then we visit the Egyptian (Spice) Market, famous for its spices.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 6: Return

After breakfast, at 07:00 we transfer to the airport for our return flight.

Note: The program’s order may change for better service, without omissions.

Prices per person

THE CENTRAL PALACE HOTEL 4 / TAKSIM*

• Double: €1,479

• Single: €1,684

• Triple: €1,475

• 1st Child: €1266

• 2nd Child: €1426

Included in the price

• 5 nights with breakfast at The Central Palace Hotel, Taksim Square

• 46-seat coach throughout all tours

• Greek-speaking guide throughout the tours

• 3 meals during the excursions

• Private Bosphorus cruise

• Tickets for the Princes’ Islands

• All flights with Aegean Airlines

• For families with 2 children, two connecting rooms will be provided

Not included in the price

• Turkish visa issuance

• Mandatory travel insurance (cost will be provided once the number of participants is known)

• Entrance fees to museums

• Holy Saturday dinner (price pending; includes magiritsa, appetizers, and meat)

• Vehicles on Halki for the ascent to the Theological School (horse carriages are banned; municipal electric vehicles may be available, otherwise the ascent is on foot)