Your Bespoke Istanbul Experience

Forget checklist tourism. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a curated cultural journey designed for travelers who want to feel Istanbul’s soul, not just see it. You’ll choose  4–5 signature experiences** from our thoughtfully grouped themes below. Our guide will craft the perfect route based on your interests, energy, and the city’s rhythm that day. 

✨ Choose Your Adventure – Pick a Theme 

1. Imperial Echoes (For history lovers

→ Hagia Sophia (step inside 1,500 years of spiritual grandeur) 

→ Blue Mosque (admire its cascading domes & serene courtyard) 

→ Topkapi Palace + Harem* (unlock secrets of Ottoman sultans) 

→ Hippodrome (where chariots once roared) 

→ Hagia Irene (Istanbul’s hidden Byzantine gem – rarely visited!) 

2. Bazaars & Aromas (For sensory explorers)

→ Grand Bazaar** (wander 4,000+ stalls like an insider – we skip the tourist traps!) 

→ Spice Market (breathe in saffron, sumac & Turkish delight) 

→ Hidden artisan workshops (meet a coppersmith or calligrapher) 

→ Turkish tea tasting with a local merchant (complimentary!) 

→ Galata Tower views (optional add-on) 

3. Mysteries Beneath (For the curious minds)

→ Basilica Cistern (walk among Medusa’s columns in haunting beauty) 

→ Hagia Sophia underground passages (lesser-known layers) 

→ Theodosian Walls or ancient city gates (if time & interest align) 

Topkapi Palace closed Tuesdays | Bazaars closed Sundays – our guide will adjust seamlessly.*

 
🌹 What Makes This Truly Unique for U.S. Travelers?

✅ Cruise-Port Concierge Service: We track your ship’s arrival and greet you *right at the gangway* with a welcome rose and bottled water. No waiting, no stress.

✅ Flexible Flow, Not a Rigid Schedule: Spend 10 minutes or an hour at a site—your pace, your passion. Our guide reads your energy and adjusts.

✅ Local Insight, Not Scripted Monologues: Hear tales of sultans, spies, and street cats from someone who *lives* here—not just works here. 

✅ Smart Routing : We use Istanbul’s tram, secret alleyways, and strategic van drops to *avoid crowds and traffic—maximizing your time. 

✅ Digital Pre-Tour Guide : Receive a beautiful PDF with maps, site histories, etiquette tips, and even phonetic Turkish phrases—so you feel prepared and confident.

 ✅ Post-Tour Goodie : A small gift of authentic Turkish delight or lokum to take onboard—“so Istanbul stays with you at sea.”

🧾 Inclusions (All Designed for Hassle-Free Cruising)

✔️ VIP Cruise Terminal Meet & Greet (Karaköy/Galataport) 

✔️ Private, Air-Conditioned Luxury Van  (Mercedes Vito or similar) 

✔️ Expert Local Guide  (English-speaking, licensed, passionate) 

✔️ Bottled Water & Light Refreshments  in vehicle 

✔️ Personalized Digital Itinerary (sent 48h before your tour) 

✔️ Smooth Drop-off Back at Ship** (timed perfectly with your departure)

 
❌ Not Included (Transparency You’ll Appreciate)

✖️ Entrance fees (you decide *on the spot* where to go—we’ll advise on value) 

✖️ Parking/tolls (minimal; guide covers logistics) 

✖️ Meals or personal purchases 

✖️ Gratuities (though guides are 5-star rated!)

Duration: 5–6 hours (perfect for cruise port days) 

Group Size: Private – Just you, your travel companions, and your personal guide 

Departure: Daily (except Tuesdays for Topkapi; Sundays for Bazaars) 

Pickup: Directly from Karaköy or Galataport Cruise Terminal in a luxury air-conditioned van

Language: Fluent English-speaking local expert (part historian, part storyteller) 

Duration: 5–6 hours (perfect for cruise port days) 

Group Size: Private – Just you, your travel companions, and your personal guide 

Departure: Daily (except Tuesdays for Topkapi; Sundays for Bazaars) 

Pickup: Directly from Karaköy or Galataport Cruise Terminal in a luxury air-conditioned van

Language: Fluent English-speaking local expert (part historian, part storyteller)