Everyone who at least once visited Istanbul could hardly forget this city. And this concerns not only lovers of history. In this ancient and at the same time, the modern city has a special charm and charm. Even those who are there passing for several hours and have the opportunity to see only a small part of the city always want to go back there again and inspect the beauty of Istanbul as much as possible. Options for excursion programs is a large selection and everyone can stop on the one that will be more convenient.
One-day excursion to Istanbul
Very many tourists, resting at the resorts of Antalya come here for a day excursion. It is very saturated and heavy. After it, fatigue remains, many impressions and strong desire to come to Istanbul at least for a few days to see everything.
The cost of this tour starts from $ 150 and depends on where this excursion is purchased and visiting what sights includes.
Tourists vacationers at such resorts as Kemer, Gainuk, Beldibi, Tekirova, Kirish, Side and Alanya will be brought to Antalya Airport, and from there by plane to Istanbul. Departure from the hotel begins early in the morning, from 4 to 6 hours, and the plane lands in Istanbul at 8.30 at Ataturk Airport. This airport itself is a landmark, but his inspection is not included in the excursion, of course.
From the airport of tourists usually brought to the area of the hippodromeAnd very fleets show them such attractions as an Egyptian obelisk, a snake column, a column of Constantine Bagryanorogennoe. Next to this area there is a famous blue mosque, where tourists are also very quickly, and also quickly derived from there. They barely manage to come to his senses and make a couple of photos. Next, just almost running, they cross the order of 500 meters and they are hardened in Ayu Sofia. The main requirement in this excursion is to walk by the Guska for the guide to not be lost. After all, there are big space there, and the whole group will not wait for the tourist. After Aya Sofia, tourists are brought to Topkay Palace.
And who was there, he knows that in an hour and a half there is nothing to inspect anything.
But on visiting the factory of leather and fur products, a sufficient amount of time is given so that the tourists must have bought something to themselves, and the guides received their percentage of revenue. After all, these are their main article of income, and not excursions.
After that shopping, tourists are usually driven to the Egyptian market,
Where you can walk around forty minutes, and then they are waiting for a very fast walk through the Bosphorus and transfer to the airport. And that trains takes the whole day. And whether it needs or better choose another version every decides itself.
I was on such an excursion and except for the desire to go to Istanbul myself, she did not leave anything after herself.
Independent excursion
Based on your travel experience, I want to say that Istanbul is not the city where the guide is needed. There are a large number of guidebooks. And if you do not bring it with you from Russia, then you can buy them in any language and in Russian, including. There everything is very interesting and written in detail what is where and how to get there. I personally used this guide
And I want to say that this is the best friend of tourist in this city. I generally noticed that a large number of foreign tourists go there in an embrace with guidebooks, and not with guides. And I feel sorry for tourists who are forced to walk behind their guide and listen to everything he says. Someone is suitable, and someone does not.
Ayia Sofia
Many tourists first visit this particular attraction of Istanbul.It is located in the historic part of Istanbul in the area of Sultanahmet. And thanks to its size and greatness, this cathedral is seen from afar. The guide is absolutely not needed there and to visit Ayu Sofia is enough to buy a ticket for 25 lire. If you are not an expert story, I strongly recommend to take an audio guide for another 10 lire. This is a very comfortable thing and helps learn a lot about the history of this cathedral. Its inspection can be devoted to several hours. He is actually very big and you can get lost in it. Especially beautiful view opens from the second floor. There is also clearly seen that Ayia Sofia used to be a church. The wall visible places where there used to be crosses and icons. And despite this, in the soul there is a sense of gratitude to Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror for the fact that his hand did not rise to destroy such a majestic structure. There are always a lot of tourists there, but despite this, they do not bother each other at all.Topkay Palace
Not far from Ayia Sofia is the majestic residence of Ottoman Sultanov - Topkay Palace.The entrance is also worth 25 lire and audiohyda 10. The living guide is absolutely not needed there, it will only interfere with everything to inspect everything. True, the tickets will have to defend a long queue from those who want to join the story. But this magnificent Palace is worth it. There, too, you can spend with comfort all day. On the territory there is a store of souvenirs and cafes. And the most important thing can be seen as the sultans and their numerous wives lived. There are their furniture, household items and weapons.
Blue Mosque
This is the only mosque in the world, which has six minarets and it is very famous. But besides, she is ancient and very beautiful. Although it is a landmark, but this is a valid mosque and the entrance to it is free. Guides there, of course, is. But inside they do not come, but they tell about the mosque outside and in the courtyard. But I personally did not recognize anything new. The same information is written in the guidebook. And in such a place you can come and just sit and admire the beauty of architecture. But on Friday it is not worth walking there. On this day, collective prayer from Muslims and people there are a lot. Although this is also a kind of fantastic spectacle.
In general, in Istanbul, almost all attractions can be seen without a guide. The exception is only a sightseeing tour of Istanbul by bus. It can be bought on an area of Ayia Sofia, for example, it costs about 30 lire.
Also there are very interesting walks on the Bosphorus, a ticket to which you can buy on any pier. And no guide is needed to just admire the beauties of the city from the sea.