Become a Marriott Bonvoy member
Join Marriott Bonvoy for free and enjoy endless benefits. Travel is better as a member.
Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
4 hours
Walking Tours
|
Bus and Driving Tours
|
Excursions
|
History
Date
Today
What You Will Do
Today we feel the spirit of Byzantium of Istanbul. Our first visit is to the natural naval harbour of the Byzantines named “the Golden Horn” because of its hornlike shape and the golden reflection of the glittering waves under the sunshine when viewed from the hilltops. Visit the Patriarchate at Fener which has been the seat of Orthodox Christianity since Constantine The Great’s declaration of Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire. Church of Panagia of Blachernae, the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin Mary and famed for its “Hagiasma” (holy water) and “Hagion Lousma” (sacred bath). The Anemas Dungeons (seen from outside, The Tekfur Palace, the only surviving Pavillion of the Blachernae Palace and the next stop on this tour is the amazing Church of St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery with exquisite mosaics and frescoes portraying scenes from the Bible. The Byzantine city walls will be in our list today. Join us!
What's Included?
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Surcharges on fuel
- Parking fees
What's Not Included?
- Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
1
Golden Horn
This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden colour. At Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy besides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects the Ottoman style of architecture. Cemeteries sprinkled with dark cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyup in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquillity of the view. Istanbul is an international art and cultural centre.
Show 6 more stops
Additional Information
This tour is independently operated by a third-party provider: Deren Koray Tourism.
Itineraries, descriptions, promotional content, and historic information are solely the responsibility of the tour operator and do not represent the views or positions of Marriott International, Inc.
Itineraries, descriptions, promotional content, and historic information are solely the responsibility of the tour operator and do not represent the views or positions of Marriott International, Inc.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guide Options
- Guide - Arabic
- Guide - German
- Guide - Russian
- Guide - zh-TW
- Guide - Japanese
- Guide - Greek
- Guide - English
- Guide - Italian
- Guide - French
- Guide - Dutch
- Guide - Turkish
- Guide - Spanish
Other Things To Do Nearby
Become a Marriott Bonvoy member
Join Marriott Bonvoy for free and enjoy endless benefits. Travel is better as a member.