Your adventure begins when you depart from your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with your knowledgeable guide. Once you arrive at the port, you will first board a boat to visit the Princes’ Islands. After visiting the first island, you will see the largest island, Büyükada.
As you sail away from Istanbul, take a moment to admire the city’s landmarks, including the magnificent Topkapı Palace and the picturesque Maiden’s Tower, also known as the Maiden’s Tower from the James Bond film “The World is Not Enough.”
During your boat tour, your guide will share fascinating information about the island’s history. Learn about its role as a place of exile for exiled statesmen and royals, as well as its history as a monastic settlement during the Byzantine-Christian period in Turkey.
As you approach Büyükada, you will be greeted by the sight of the island’s charming wooden mansions, displaying late Ottoman architecture. The sparkling sea stretches before you and seagulls glide gracefully overhead. If you wish, your guide can provide you with simit (sesame bread) to feed the seagulls and enjoy their company.
Lunch will be served on the boat in the summer and at an island restaurant in the winter. After your meal, you can spend the rest of your day at your own pace on the picturesque islands.
Later in the day, you will reunite with your guide at an appointed time for your return boat tour to Istanbul. you can visit local souvenir and leather shops to find unique mementos of your unforgettable day.
The final leg of your journey will be a comfortable bus ride back to your Istanbul hotel, ending a day full of fascinating experiences and precious memories.