Experience the enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty with our 5-day, 4-night Istanbul & Bursa tour package. Begin your journey in Istanbul, where the East meets the West, and immerse yourself in its rich tapestry of sights and sounds.
Istanbul / Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Experience a captivating 5-day Istanbul & Bursa tour, blending cultural immersion, scenic landscapes, culinary delights, historical exploration, and memorable experiences. Discover Istanbul’s iconic landmarks and bustling bazaars, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, and ascend Uludağ Mountain in Bursa. Indulge in authentic Turkish cuisine and explore Cumalıkızık Village. Marvel at the architectural wonders of the Green Mosque and Tomb. Throughout, expect to be captivated by Turkey’s beauty, history, and hospitality, creating cherished memories to last a lifetime.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our friendly guide and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the vibrant streets of Istanbul or relaxing at your hotel.
Guests will be picked up and brought to the Sultanahmet district, the oldest, most historic part of the city. The first stop of the day will be the Hagia Sophia, as our tour guide explains the significance of this massive building that was once a Christian church, then a mosque, then a museum and now a mosque. Afterward, we will pass the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where we will see the sites impressive obelisk, before reaching the Blue Mosque. We should be sure to take pictures of both the interior and exterior of this impressive building. Next, we will continue to the Grand Bazaar, a massive, bustling complex to find clothing, decorative furnishings, food, and more. On the way to the bazaar, we will see other historical monuments, like the Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I, the Firuz Aga Mosque, and the exterior of the Tomb of Mehmed II. After our visit to the Grand Bazaar, we will make a brief stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Afterward, the guests are returned to their hotels.
Important Notices
The Bursa tour is a full-day adventure starting with a ferry ride across the Izmit Gulf, where you can enjoy the fresh air and picturesque views. Next, you will visit the Turkish delights factory in Bursa, where you can sample and purchase traditional Turkish sweets. You will also visit the Inkaya tree, which is more than 650 years old and is considered a natural monument.
The tour then takes you to a natural bee house on the mountain, where you can see bees in their element and learn about beekeeping in Turkey. Lunch will be served on top of the mountain, featuring a tasty mix grill for meat lovers and vegetarian options.
The tour then takes you to the Uludağ mountain ski center, one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh mountain air, and even ride the cable car from the top of the mountain.
To cap off the day, you will visit the ancient Green Mosque and Green Tomb, as well as the Silk House and an ancient Turkish Bath, to learn about Bursa’s rich history and culture. Overall, the Bursa tour offers a diverse range of activities and experiences, making it a perfect day trip for visitors to Turkey.
Notes:
Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Prince’s islands, on this 9-hour excursion from Istanbul. Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view.
See the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – by bike (not included) or spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on one of its beaches, before returning to Istanbul.
Travel from your hotel by air-conditioned coach to the port with your guide, and board the boat that will take you to the Prince’s islands. The largest and most interesting of the islands is Büyükada, which is your destination for the day.
From the boat, look back on the sights of Istanbul, seeing iconic landmarks such as Topkapi Palace and the pretty Kiz Kulesi (also known as the Maiden’s Tower), which was featured in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough.
Dock in Büyükada and then take a stroll through the streets on your own, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of island life.
Return to the boat and listen as your guide talks about the island’s history during the ride. Learn about its time as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, and of its life as a monastic settlement during Turkey’s Byzantine-Christian period.
Pass lovely wooden mansions that are stunning examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture, and look out over the sparkling sea. Seagulls are everywhere in Büyükada, and if you’d like to feed them your guide will give you simits (bread with sesame seeds) so you can toss them a treat.
Have lunch in a restaurant, then spend the rest of your day at leisure on the island. Later, meet your guide at a pre-arranged time for your boat ride back to Istanbul. The last leg of your journey will be by coach, and you’ll be dropped off at your Istanbul hotel.
Bid farewell to Istanbul as you depart for your journey back home. Take with you cherished memories of your Istanbul & Bursa adventure, leaving behind the vibrant energy and captivating charm of Turkey’s cultural capital.
