Meet your guide at your Istanbul hotel, then join the bustling boat traffic on the Bosphorus Strait. Enjoy views of the European and Asian sides of the city, whose shorelines are crowded with palaces, sumptuous villas and historic landmarks.
Trade the boat for a seat on a comfortable minibus, and cross the stunning Bosphorus Bridge from Europe to Asia, a 5,500-foot (1704-meter) span that links two continents and cultures. Take time for photos and a relaxing lunch at the top of Camlica Hill, where you can see Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait from above.
Trace a fascinating route through the Ortaköy neighborhood as you travel to Dolmabahçe Palace for a guided tour of some of the palace's 285 rooms. Hear stories about the powerful sultans that built in the European-style palace, and learn how Atatürk lived and died here surrounded by sumptuous décor, antiques and rich artwork.
Note: Dolmabahçe Palace is closed Monday and Thursday. On those days, the tour concludes with a visit to Galata Tower, a medieval stone structure that is among the city's most striking landmarks.
