Archaeology of Ancient Istanbul (7 Days)
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Prices starting from
$1,950 Day by Day details
Walk around the statue of Constantine outside York Minster; enjoy a fresh croissant with your morning coffee in France; listen to Mozart’s ravishing opera Il Seraglio; look up at the four bronze horses above the doorway of the Basilica of St Mark in Venice. What links all these very European experiences?
The answer is Constantinople, the new Rome, capital of a Christian Roman Empire, which became Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Sultans, who ruled from Mecca, Baghdad and Cairo to the Balkans and central Europe.
When the modern republic of Turkey came into being in the 1920s, Istanbul lost its status as imperial city and capital. But it remains one of the world’s largest, busiest, most vibrant metropoli. Its present-day streets, watersides, and bazaars both welcoming and mysterious, its people fully modern, yet deeply aware of their city’s dense, rich history. For people in western Europe, Istanbul has long represented ‘the Orient’, and yet its history has always been as a pre-eminent city in Europe. Its fascination has been that it is the city where Asia meets Europe.
Much of this tour can be undertaken on foot, for the historic centre of the city consists of a small triangle of hilly land (new Rome, like the original city, was built upon seven hills), wedged between the waters of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman sultans occupied the very tip of the triangle. The imperial mosques built by the Ottoman sultans, like the greatest imperial churches, Aghia Sophia in particular, were sited to dominate the skyline. Many other treasures are harder to find, nestling among the modern buildings, their doors opening on narrow streets or small alleyways.
A day on the waters of the Bosphorus sailing up towards the Black Sea puts the city in its geographical setting, and a drive to the defensive walls built by the Emperor Theodosius II provides some indication of the scale.
The free day in the middle of your holiday allows time to visit the famous covered bazaar and the associated market areas, or to make your own itinerary for a day.
The answer is Constantinople, the new Rome, capital of a Christian Roman Empire, which became Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Sultans, who ruled from Mecca, Baghdad and Cairo to the Balkans and central Europe.
When the modern republic of Turkey came into being in the 1920s, Istanbul lost its status as imperial city and capital. But it remains one of the world’s largest, busiest, most vibrant metropoli. Its present-day streets, watersides, and bazaars both welcoming and mysterious, its people fully modern, yet deeply aware of their city’s dense, rich history. For people in western Europe, Istanbul has long represented ‘the Orient’, and yet its history has always been as a pre-eminent city in Europe. Its fascination has been that it is the city where Asia meets Europe.
Much of this tour can be undertaken on foot, for the historic centre of the city consists of a small triangle of hilly land (new Rome, like the original city, was built upon seven hills), wedged between the waters of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman sultans occupied the very tip of the triangle. The imperial mosques built by the Ottoman sultans, like the greatest imperial churches, Aghia Sophia in particular, were sited to dominate the skyline. Many other treasures are harder to find, nestling among the modern buildings, their doors opening on narrow streets or small alleyways.
A day on the waters of the Bosphorus sailing up towards the Black Sea puts the city in its geographical setting, and a drive to the defensive walls built by the Emperor Theodosius II provides some indication of the scale.
The free day in the middle of your holiday allows time to visit the famous covered bazaar and the associated market areas, or to make your own itinerary for a day.
Day 1 
Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul Group flights from London to Istanbul OR meet coach at Istanbul airport OR meet at our hotel.
Day 2 Istanbul
Istanbul Byzantine Constantinople: start with the great basilica of Aghia Sophia, the church of the Holy Wisdom of God, built by Justinian in the early sixth century. Justinian’s contemporary, the historian and writer Procopius, who was neither fan of the emperor nor sycophant, wrote of 'the Great Church' that it was 'distinguished by indescribable beauty, excelling both in its size, and in the harmony of its measures... magnificent... and elegant... full of light and sunshine.' Mehmet the Conqueror, on capturing the city, turned the great church into the city’s imperial mosque, but with the inception of the secular republic the building became a museum.
Some of Constantinople’s greatest engineering was concerned with its water supply. The Yerebatan Sarayi, a cavernous and palatial Byzantine underground water cistern, supplied the imperial palaces, until they fell into ruin and it was forgotten. Now, one can walk on wooden walkways above the water, and admire the remarkable architecture.
After lunch, we stroll in what was the central spina of the Hippodrome. Its soaring seating accommodated tens of thousands of spectators, or, on occasions, angry citizens taking part in noisy political meetings. The modern road around the central park area follows the line of the horse-racing track, and some of the trophies that ornamented the central spina, most famously a granite obelisk from Egypt, have survived through the centuries. We cannot leave this part of the city without visiting the mosque of Sultan Ahmet (the Blue Mosque), with its high dome and semi-domes, multiple minarets, and beautiful rich interior with the finest blue tiles from imperial tile-makers of Iznik.
Some of Constantinople’s greatest engineering was concerned with its water supply. The Yerebatan Sarayi, a cavernous and palatial Byzantine underground water cistern, supplied the imperial palaces, until they fell into ruin and it was forgotten. Now, one can walk on wooden walkways above the water, and admire the remarkable architecture.
After lunch, we stroll in what was the central spina of the Hippodrome. Its soaring seating accommodated tens of thousands of spectators, or, on occasions, angry citizens taking part in noisy political meetings. The modern road around the central park area follows the line of the horse-racing track, and some of the trophies that ornamented the central spina, most famously a granite obelisk from Egypt, have survived through the centuries. We cannot leave this part of the city without visiting the mosque of Sultan Ahmet (the Blue Mosque), with its high dome and semi-domes, multiple minarets, and beautiful rich interior with the finest blue tiles from imperial tile-makers of Iznik.
Day 3 Istanbul
Istanbul Ottoman Istanbul: The Topkapi Palace was the rambling palace complex of the Ottoman sultans until they moved in the nineteenth century to a French-style palace on the Bosphorus water-front. The Topkapi Palace is now a museum, and is a veritable treasure-house of architecture and applied arts; a palace like none that you will have ever seen. Later there is an opportunity to visit the archaeological museums, built by the sultans in the late nineteenth century after the style of European monarchs to house their collection of antiquities from across the Ottoman empire.
Optional evening visit to a traditional Turkish bath. This bath-house was built by a sultan in the middle of the eighteenth century. (Brave past guests have said they wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world!).
Optional evening visit to a traditional Turkish bath. This bath-house was built by a sultan in the middle of the eighteenth century. (Brave past guests have said they wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world!).
Day 4 Istanbul
Istanbul Free day in Istanbul - Professor Watkins will have lots of suggestions.
Day 5 Istanbul
Istanbul The Bosphorus: we travel on our private boat up the majestic waterway that separates Europe from Asia, and links the Black Sea ports of Russia and Ukraine to the Mediterranean. There is much to see on either side of the waterway as we make our way to the Sadberk Hanim Museum, a major private collection of archaeology and Turkish works of art and costumes. Before we head back to the heart of the old city, we should do what Istanbulis love to do, and eat lunch in a fish restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus.
Day 6 Istanbul
Istanbul We spend the morning close to the great walls of the city built by Theodosius II at the end of the fifth century. Just inside the walls is the ruined Palace of the Porphyrogenitus, where some of the last Byzantine emperors preferred to live. Close by is Kariye Camii, formerly the church of St Saviour in Chora. The church’s 14th century Byzantine mosaics, gleaming with gold, and its remarkable frescos, were restored by British specialists with American funding, and the building is now a museum.
Those who wish will be dropped at the great mosque complex, Sulemaniye Camii, built for Suleyman the Magnificent by the greatest of Ottoman architects, Sinan. We can lunch close to the mosque, and then visit parts of the complex before walking home past the tomb of the architect Sinan, and through some of the most bustling and atmospheric parts of Istanbul.
Those who wish will be dropped at the great mosque complex, Sulemaniye Camii, built for Suleyman the Magnificent by the greatest of Ottoman architects, Sinan. We can lunch close to the mosque, and then visit parts of the complex before walking home past the tomb of the architect Sinan, and through some of the most bustling and atmospheric parts of Istanbul.
Day 7 Return Home
Return Home Private coach to Istanbul airport for group flights to London, or to wait for your independent flight (or continue your holiday).
Price per person starts at: US $1,950 based on double occupancy.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Exploring the city that lies beneath an unforgettable skyline, experience:
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
NOT INCLUDED:
GUIDE LECTURER: Trevor Watkins PhD FSA FSA Scot is Emeritus Professor of Near Eastern prehistory at the University of Edinburgh. He has directed excavations in Cyprus, Syria, Iraq and Turkey, and continues to be involved in research.
PLEASE NOTE:
Exploring the city that lies beneath an unforgettable skyline, experience:
- A memborable boat trip on the Bosphorus
- Turkey's treasures in the National Museum
- A spot of early Christmas shopping in the bazaars
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
- 6 nights in a central Istanbul hotel in an excellent location, with lots of shops and restaurants nearby (breakfast daily included)
- Scheduled flights British Airways or Turkish Airlines between London/Istanbul, or arrange flights independently
- Private coach transfers provided to coincide with group flights - join this or make your own way between airport & hotel
- Transport to all sites in program, either by private coach or on foot; private boat (Day 5)
- Guide Lecturer to show you around all sites in the program, give an introductory evening lecture; also local guide to accompany tour at all times
- Entry to all sites in program
- Tips included
NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to/from London (or all international airfare if purchase land-only tour)
- Arrival transfer, if choose to not meet up with group in London
- Departure transfer depending on flight time
- Meals (except breakfast) - lots of choice in Istanbul
- Turkish Bath (if you wish!)
- Items of personal nature
GUIDE LECTURER: Trevor Watkins PhD FSA FSA Scot is Emeritus Professor of Near Eastern prehistory at the University of Edinburgh. He has directed excavations in Cyprus, Syria, Iraq and Turkey, and continues to be involved in research.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Price for this tour was accurate at time of posting. However, a currency supplement may apply - please inquire when booking.
- This tour's departure city is London. Airfare can be purchased independently but transfers will only be included if taken at same time as main group.
- Please inquire if you prefer to have an overnight in London in order to meet up with the group there versus in Istanbul.
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