An Egyptian obelisk named after Emperor Theodosius, a Serpantine Column and the Column of Constantine, all dating to the Byzantine era decorate the Roman Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine civic life. The next visit is to the Basilica of Hagia Sophia. In 325 Constantine built the first basilica which was devastated by fire in 404. In 563 AD, Justinian realized his dream of a temple bigger and more striking than the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The third stop is to the nearby Underground Cistern. This great Byzantine cistern supplied the city with water during war time. Its 336 columns with Doric and Corinthian capitals came from throughout Asia Minor. Water was replenished by a monumental aqueduct built by Emperor Valens.

Dates: Sunday, 11 June and Tuesday, 13 June and Thursday, 15 June
Time : 9:30 - 12:30

The first visit will be to the Imperial Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, also known as Blue Mosque. It takes its name from the exquisite blue tiled interior decoration.

The next visit is to the fabulous Topkapı Palace, once the nerve center of the Ottoman Empire. The Palace exhibits the imperial treasury, Chinese Ming Dynasty Porcelains and exquisite displays of clothing, paintings, armoury, sacred relics and many other items.

Dates: Monday, 12 June and Wednesday, 14 June
Time : 13:30 - 17:30

This half-day tour will start with a visit to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which is a complex of three museums: the Museum of Oriental Antiquities, the Archaeological Museum and the Tiled Pavillion. They contain one of the world's richest collection of classical artifacts and pre-classical treasures. There are sixty-thousand archaeological treasures, seven-hundred-sixty thousand coins and medallions, and seventy-five thousand clay tablets in these three museums.

The next visit is to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art where a superb collection of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures, textiles, woodwork and some of the oldest carpets in the world are displayed.

Dates: Tuesday, 13 June / Thursday, 15 June
Time : 13:30 - 17:30

Mısır Çarsısı or Spice Bazaar, a giant “T” shaped covered market of simple Ottoman design is a mystical eastern fantasy. For centuries, İstanbulites and visitors have been visiting this center of herbs and spices providing cure, instead of the doctors. The spice section of the market is filled with barrels of colourful spices and a potpourri of different smells.

After the Spice Bazaar visit, the Grand Covered Bazaar will be visited. The Bazaar was originally built as horse-stables to the Ottoman cavalry. After two centuries, she is now a " Hyper-Market" style shopping mall with more than 4000 shops and workshops, housing jewelers, silversmiths, furniture shops, leather boutiques, shoe shops, garment and cloth shops and a 1001 other trades.

Dates: Daily except Sunday
Time : 13:30 - 17:30

Imperial mosques dominate the skyline of Istanbul.

The Imperial Süleymaniye Mosque is considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul. Ordered by Süleyman the Magnificent, it was constructed by the famous architect Sinan between 1550 and 1557.

The Rüstempaşa Mosque is another skillful accomplishment of architect Sinan. Order by the Grand Vizier Rüstem Paşa, it was built in 1561 and displays exquisite Iznik tiles decorating the superbly proportioned interior.

The Imperial Fatih Mosque bears the name of the Ottoman Conqueror of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It is a remarkable complex of buildings comprising religious schools, hospices, baths, a caravanserai, a hospital and a library among others.

Dates: Monday, 12 June / Wednesday, 14 June
Time : 13:30 - 18:00

Visits to the Quincentennial Jewish Heritage Museum (a former historical Jewish Synagogue), the famous Rüstem Pacha Mosque built during mid 16th century and famous for its İznik tiles and the Kariye Museum, former 11th century Byzantine Monastry of St. Saviour in the Chora where the best Byzantine frescoes and golden mosaics are displayed on the walls and ceilings.

Date: Monday, 12 June
Time: 9:30 - 12:30