Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Spice Market Tour (4 hours):
Choose to start in the morning or afternoon, and then leave your hotel to visit to Istanbul’s 17th-century Egyptian Spice Market, one of the city’s most colorful and bustling attractions. Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs, hear tips to haggle, and learn of the most interesting stalls to visit from your guide. After shopping and sightseeing around the famous souk, head down to the water’s edge for a sightseeing cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, the stretch of water that splits Istanbul onto two continents.

Sit out on deck or inside the cabin, and cruise past an impressive selection of Istanbul’s showpiece sights. Look out for Dolmabahe Palace with its decadent faade, 15th-century Rumeli Hisar
1 Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace where the city’s sultans spent their summer vacations. Your route takes in sights on both the European and Asian shores and, in addition to Istanbul’s big-name attractions, the cruise also passes lesser-known mosques, fortresses, palaces and more.

After admiring the sights of the Bosphorus Strait, cruise back to the start point, and then finish your tour with a hotel drop off. Enjoy roughly six hours of free time if you opted to start the tour in the morning, or two hours of free time if you selected the afternoon tour.

Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show (4 hours):
Start your evening with a hotel pickup and then travel to a traditional Turkish restaurant in the center of town. Take a seat and watch an Anatolian folklore show featuring an exotic belly dancing performance, an ancient form of Turkish dancing that’s enjoyed by Turks of all ages. Enjoy the live music, dancing and action on stage as the waiting staff serve up your 4-course dinner.

Dishes change most nights, but examples of typical specialties that you may be served is below in the Itinerary. A bottle of mineral water and half a bottle of wine (or two beers or local drinks, if you prefer) is included. Additional drinks are available from the bar at your own expense.

At the end of the show, join the performers on stage for a dance or simply sit and soak up the lively atmosphere. Meet your driver at the prearranged place, and then complete your evening with a hotel drop-off.