JGT’s Istanbul 11 May ’23 – Group Sold Out!
JGT’s
Istanbul
11 – 15 May 2023
Sorry. This group is now full.
Please call us to register your interest in future trips.
JGT Groups depart Thursday 11 May 2023.
4 nights in Istanbul
including airport transfers and a full touring programme.
Thursday 11 May 2023
1055 Depart Dublin on Turkish Airlines TK 1976. Check-in two hours before departure. Your baggage allowance is 20kgs per person.
1720 Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by your English speaking assistant and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore the area. Your hotel is the 4-star Occidental Taksim Hotel in the heart of the city near Taksim Square with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants nearby.
L (on board flight)
Friday 12 May 2023
Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure for half day tour.
0930 The day starts with a visit to Dolmabahce, the late palace of the Ottoman Empire from 1856, famous for being the first European-style one in Istanbul. Then we will visit Galata Tower where we will enjoy a breathtaking views of the city of Istanbul. The tower overlooks the city like a guard and is a symbol of it for centuries. After that, you can transfer back to hotel by coach, if you wish.
Alternatively, take off on your own and enjoy a stroll at your own pace through the main pedestrian street of the city, Istiklal Street. The first neighborhood of the city that developed outside the Old Town in the 19th century. This walk gives you a chance to learn about contemporary Istanbul and the lives of the locals. Begin at Galata Tower and walk along Istiklal Street, which leads to Taksim Square. Follow the nostalgic tram rail to the top of the street and end at Tacksim Square. In this lively street, you will see bookstores, art galleries, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, passages, shops frequented by locals, and monuments, such as Armenian Catholic Churches , Orthodox Churches , palatial consulates of foreign countries and the picturesque Fish Market full of people at any time of the day. Not only the main street but also the backstreets of the area make it unique for the city.
Galata Tower
Return to your hotel under your own steam and at your own pace. Do a bit of shopping on the way, if you like. Afternoon and evening free at leisure.
B
Saturday 13 May 2023
Breakfast at hotel and departure for full day classic city tour.
visit to Topkapi Palace, the principle residence of Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries (excluding Harem section).
Topkapi Palace
Lunch at Konyali Restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. In the afternoon, visit the Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium that held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Continue to the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles and the only imperial mosque with six minarets and then to Hagia Sophia, a marvel of world architecture.
The Blue Mosque
Finish with a shopping spree at the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of more than 4,000 shops. Transfer back to hotel. Evening free.
B/L
n.b. Headsets will be provided on our tours, so you can hear the guide in crowded, busy places. This day requires a lot of walking, sometimes at pace in crowded streets, and standing in queues for entrances to monuments etc. It may be hot. You should be physically fit enough to partake for your own enjoyment and so as not to impede progress for the other members of the group.
Sunday 14 May 2023
Breakfast at hotel and morning departure for half day tour.
0930 In the morning, visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Later on, embark on a private boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating the two continents. Disembark and set foot in Asia as you transfer to the delightful Del Mare Restaurant (local fish restaurant) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Enjoy a lovely meal on the waterfront, as you watch the ships sail by on their way to or from the Black Sea.
After lunch your coach will take you back to Europe and your hotel. Afternoon and evening free at leisure.
B/L
Monday 15 May 2023
Breakfast at hotel.
0915 Transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight home.
1305 Depart Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1977.
1545 Arrive at Dublin.
B/L (lunch on board flight)
END
Price €1,199 per person sharing. Single Supplement € 290
Consumer Protection Levy is an additional €10pp and is mandatory for all clients.
Package includes:
Return flights Dublin – Istanbul by Turkish Airlines
20kg per person baggage allowance
Inflight meals
Arrival & departure airport transfers with English speaking guide
4 nights accommodation at 4-star Occidental Tacksim Hotel or similar
4 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
English speaking guide on tours
Headsets during city tours
Museum entrance fees
Tours as specified
Not Included:
Dinners
Beverages
Personal expenses and optional activities
Tips for driver (€2pppd) & guide (€5pppd)
Occidental Tacksim Hotel, Istanbul
https://www.barcelo.com/en-ie/occidental-taksim/
Magnificent location in the heart of Istanbul
With a unique location in the Beyoğlu district, just a few metres away from Taksim Square, the Occidental Taksim**** is an urban hotel synonymous with relaxation. Thanks to its privileged location, it is also an ideal place to enjoy the best that Istanbul has to offer: its palaces, its lively shopping streets and its main areas of interest.
Renovated in 2018, the hotel’s 149 rooms and suites offer all the comforts you need. All the rooms are modern and ideal for couples or families to relax and enjoy themselves.
Recharging your energy and enjoying the delicious cuisine is just as important as relaxing. The new Occidental Taksim hotel offers its guests 2 restaurants and a café-bar as well as the fabulous O!Breakfast: a breakfast buffet featuring organic, seasonal and local produce. The best way to start the day in a healthy way!
The facilities at the Occidental Taksim have been designed to guarantee maximum comfort. Among other amenities, there is a Wellness & Spa with a sauna, a traditional Turkish bath and massage service, a complete fitness studio and a fantastic covered swimming pool.
A unique experience in a magical city like Istanbul is best enjoyed in an unforgettable play to stay. Thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and its privileged location just a few metres from the famous Taksim Square, the Occidental Taksim hotel is undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to enjoy everything this lively city has to offer.
Tour Price: € 1,199 pp Sharing Twin
Single Supplement – € 290 pp
Plus Consumer Protection Levy €10.00pp
Non-refundable deposit € 310pp. Balance due 10 weeks before departure.
N.B. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Turkey at the end of your trip.
Fitness to travel – Istanbul is a very busy and crowded city and you will need to be in a good state of health to enjoy this trip properly and to ensure that you are not holding up the others. You should be able to walk long distances, sometimes at pace, and stand in queues for entry to major attractions.
To book this hotel call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie
