Istanbul City Break
Istanbul City Break
Istanbul City Break
4 Days Starting and ending in 41.012907,28.978547
Visiting: Turkey
Tour operator:
Tour code:
152
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This short city break in Istanbul provides a great introduction to this fascinating city. Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, has been an important city for centuries and we'll explore some of the important palaces, mosques and churches that have overseen its long and turbulent history. We'll also take a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait connecting the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and wander around the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest covered markets in the world.
Accommodation is in a boutique style 4-star hotel in the heart of the city, with upgrades available on request. The tour is run on a small group basis with departures on Fridays, and also as a private tour which can start on any date you wish (please contact us for details and prices if you would like a private tour).
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Extras:
Accommodation Name: <STRONG>Day 1 : Arrive in Istanbul, transfer to hotel </STRONG>Welcome to Istanbul! On arrival we'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is free to settle in and start exploring.<STRONG> O
Single Room Supplement (TUTMIB), Extra day in Istanbul - pre-tour
Day 2 : Day 2 : Istanbul: Old City Tour
Accommodation Name: Today we enjoy a full day city tour with a specialist local guide. We'll take in the beautiful Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia, sometimes described as the 8th Wonder of the World. This beautiful building, famous for its huge dome, was built as a Greek Ortho
Day 3 : Day 3 : Bosphorous River Cruise And Asian Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, has been a vitally important world city for many centuries due to its strategic location connecting Europe and Asia, and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. These are joined by a narrow strait of water called the Bosphorou
Day 4 : Extras:
Accommodation Name: <STRONG>Day 4 : Istanbul, free time, transfer to airport </STRONG>Your time in Istanbul is free today until we transfer you back to the airport for your departure. A range of optional tours are available today if you have a late afternoon or evening fligh
Extra day in Istanbul - post-tour
What's Included
What's Not Included
More Info
This short city break in Istanbul provides a great introduction to this fascinating city. Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, has been an important city for centuries and we'll explore some of the important palaces, mosques and churches that have overseen its long and turbulent history. We'll also take a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait connecting the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and wander around the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest covered markets in the world. Accommodation is in a boutique style 4-star hotel in the heart of the city, with upgrades available on request. The tour is run on a small group basis with departures on Fridays, and also as a private tour which can start on any date you wish (please contact us for details and prices if you would like a private tour).
Mode of Transport
A/C minibus
Accommodation
Boutique style 4-star hotel
Istanbul hotel
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
here is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
The Turkish lira was re-valued at the end of 2004 to become the ‘New Turkish Lira’. The word ‘New’ has now been dropped, and we are back to ‘Turkish Lira’ again (TRY).
It is normally cheaper to convert money to Turkish Lira in Turkey than at home. Using an ATM or a credit card will often get you the best possible exchange rates; the post and telephone office (PTT) and banks offer very reasonable rates, too. Try to use ATM machines that are attached to banks while they are open, so that if your card is swallowed you can go into the bank and get it released back to you.
It is difficult for us to specify the money that you will spend per day, however, as a general rule USD 20-50 per day can provide you with additional meals, tipping, snacks & drinks. Should you wish to purchase many souvenirs or other luxuries, of which there is a diverse range, you will have to budget for these.
A mixture of cash and credit cards are the best forms of currency. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, bars and pubs. MasterCard and Visa are most welcomed; American Express cards work at some ATMs and AmEx offices. Credit cards are also useful for cash advances, which allow you to withdraw Lira instantly from associated banks and ATMs throughout Turkey. Cash cards and ATM’s are widespread in most of Turkey including in Istanbul, Canakkale, Selcuk, Marmaris, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Kas, Cappadocia, and Ankara. -
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination.
You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for Turkey are Hepatitis A and Tetanus.
More information is available here: Turkey
Malaria map - there is low risk malaria in some south eastern regions, not visited on our tours.
Yellow fever certificates are not required. -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Turkey, and need to obtain it in advance online through http://www.evisa.gov.tr. Applicants just need to log on to the following link, provide the requested information, (after the application is approved) make online payment and download their e-Visa. More information is available here http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa
From the 2nd March 2020 all UK nationals will not need to obtain a visa for Turkey (for visits of up to 90 days in each 180 day period). This will also apply to citizens of the Schengen area countries Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland. -
What is the tipping policy?
Tipping or Bahsis (bahk-sheesh) is common practice in Turkey, as a sign of appreciation for services provided for everything from table service in a restaurant to a massage in a Turkish bath. Wages for service staff in Turkey are very low and tips are a necessary supplement to meagre incomes.. Your tour price includes a contribution to various tips that your tour guide and driver will make along the way to ensure the smooth running of your tour.
This tipping kitty does not cover your tour guide or driver though. You may therefore wish to tip them at the end of the time they spend with you. You should not feel obliged to tip any particular amount, and should consider your personal budget and your satisfaction with the service provided. We are often asked to provide a guide however:
Restaurants and taxis: Local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change. For more up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour guide or tour leader. We suggest around GBP 1.50 / EUR 2.0 / USD 2 per person per day for local guides.
Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however GBP 1.50 / EUR 2 / USD 2 per person per day is generally appropriate.
Gulet Boat Trips: If you are travelling through Southern Turkey on a Gulet boat trip we suggest GBP 1.50 / EUR 2 / USD 2 per person per day for the boat staff.
Tour guide: As a guideline we suggest around GBP 20-35 / USD 35-50 / EUR 25-45 per person for the whole tour, but this is ultimately up to you.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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