Istanbul, Turkiye Trip - Sultanahmet (Old Town) - Taksim- Besiktas

Hi, Wanderlust fellow! I'm GG, a history and culture geek based in Istanbul. If you consider yourself the same, then come and join me so that we can get the show on the road together! If you have been planning to visit Istanbul for a cultural trip, then you are lucky you've come across me! :) While with me, you will enjoy the city without worrying about tourist traps ;) Let's see what the trip is basically about. The trip will be for 4 days starting from the heart of Istanbul; "Sultanahmet" the old town where most of Ottoman history is based on. Plus, there are many attractions in the city in the same area. After the old town, we will visit the "slightly" modern part of the city and enjoy the breeze of the sea. Since this trip will be culture and history-oriented — and I know, you are particularly seeking that ;) — we will be visiting the most famous museums and attractions of the city. Yay! Plus, we will experience delicious Turkish cuisine and enjoy the bustle of the town while sipping our coffee. We will walk on the famous Istiklal Street in Taksim, and pay a visit to Pera Palace - the oldest and most famous hotel in Istanbul in which Ataturk, Hitchcock, Agatha Christie, and many celebrities had stayed. We can also have coffee and try delicious chocolates at Patisserie de Pera, a famous cafe in the hotel. At night, we will go to a pub — there are plenty of nice pubs in Beşiktaş and Taksim. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Let's check out our trip plan: Sultanahmet Square will be our starting stop. The trip will basically consist of 20 destinations: 1- At Meydanı (Hippodrome) 2- Yılanlı Sütun (Serpent Column) 3- Alman Çeşmesi (German Fountain) 4- Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi- Pargalı Ibrahim Paşa Sarayı (Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum a.k.a. Palace of Ibrahim Pasha of Parga) 5- Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) + I. Ahmet Türbesi ve II. Abdul Hamid Türbesi (Ahmet I Tomb and Abdul Hamid II Tomb) 6- Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) 7- Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapı Palace) 8- Aya İrini Müzesi (Hagia Irene Museum) 9- İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri (Istanbul Archaeology Museums) 10- Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern) 11- İslam Bilim ve Teknoloji Tarihi Müzesi (Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam) 12- Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Edebiyat Müzesi (Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library) 13- Gülhane Parkı (Rosehouse Park) 14- Taksim Meydanı (Taksim Square) 15- Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument) 16- Pera Palas (Pera Palace) 17- Ayia Triada Kilisesi (The Hagia Triada) 18- Aziz Antuan Kilisesi (The Church of St. Anthony of Padua) 19- Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) 20- Kabataş (Kabatas) 21- Dolmabahçe Sarayı (Dolmabahce Palace) 22- Besiktaş (Besiktas) Accommodation: We will stay at a hostel for 3 nights — a Standard 6 Bed Dorm Ensuite. (For private room you need to pay extra for the hostel). On the last day, after we check out, we can leave our bags at the luggage storage and enjoy our last hours ;) In case of in need, make sure to take more cash with you before you actually take the trip. You will also need an Istanbul Public Transport Card. You can buy it at the airport station. What is included in the cost? - Accommodation (hostel, shared rooms) - Breakfast - Local Guide *Additional Costs: Lunch, dinner, coffee, museum tickets, tramway, Istanbul Public Transport Card, alcohol. If you want to stay in a private room, please let me know. If you have a particular date for the trip in your mind, please let me know, so I can arrange that for you. Ps. Allianz Travel Insurance is provided by JoinMyTrip for German and Austrian residents. Hope to meet you in person and see you there! :)