Chora-Balat Historical Churches-Grand Bazaar Daily Tour
“Where History Meets the Heart of Istanbul”
We are pleased to present to you our professional offer for the tours in Turkey. Below you will find detailed information about each tour, including highlights, duration, inclusions, exclusions, and special notes.
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1Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! Arrive into Galata Port, where our guide will welcome you and lead you to the bus. You’ll receive a brief introduction as you prepare to explore this vibrant city.
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2Chora Church (Kariye Museum)
Istanbul First stop will be Chora Church The Chora Church was originally built in the early 4th century as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls of Constantinople erected by Constantine the Great, to the south of the Golden Horn. However, when Theodosius II built his formidable land walls in 413–414, the church became incorporated within the city’s defences, but retained the name Chora.
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3Church of St. Mary of Blachernae
We will then move on to the Church of St Mary of Balchernae. In 450, Empress Aelia Pulcheria began building a church at the foot of the sixth hill of Constantinople, near an ayazma or holy spring of holy water located outside the walls of Theodosius II. After her death in 453, the temple was completed by her husband, Emperor Marcianus.
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4Palace of Blachernae
The next stop is the Palace of Blachernae, constructed on the northern slopes of the Sixth Hill of Istanbul around the year 500. Over time, the hill was partially remodeled and several terraces were built to support various buildings of the palace complex. Although the main imperial residence in the 4th–11th centuries was the Great Palace at the eastern end of the city, the Palace of Blachernae later became an important royal residence.
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5Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
Our next stop is the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church. Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire originally worshipped at churches of the Phanar Orthodox Patriarchate as part of the Rum Millet (the Orthodox Christian community). However, in the 19th century, Bulgarian nationalists sought their own church, distinct from the predominantly Greek Phanar Patriarchate. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate, officially recognized by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1870. The St. Stephen Church stands as a unique symbol of this movement.
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6Grand Covered Bazaar
It’s now time to discover the Grand Covered Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 58 covered streets and more than 4,000 shops, the bazaar welcomes up to half a million visitors daily. It’s famous for jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpets. During our visit, you’ll also enjoy a demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets.
Tour Inclusions
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
- Round-trip Transfer
- Lunch at a Local Restaurant
- Personal Headsets for Comfortable Listening
Group Pricing
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE | PER PERSON PRICE |
|---|---|
| (10 – 14) PEOPLE | 120€ |
| (14 – 20) PEOPLE | 115€ |
| (20 – 26) PEOPLE | 110€ |
| (26 – 33) PEOPLE | 105€ |
| (33 – 45) PEOPLE | 100€ |
| (45 – 52) PEOPLE | 95€ |
Important Notes
- ARRIVAL DATE AND TIME TO THE PORT
- TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE
- REQUESTED LANGUAGES FOR GUIDENCE
Things To Be Checked Prior The Tour
- Please check the information below before your departure
- International Flight Tickets
- Tour itinerary
- Confirmation received from us o include Hotel reservations etc.
- Domestic Flight Tickets if any (Please check your title/name spelling printed correctly.)
- Passport Validation Terms
- Visa if needed (check before your trip for the dates on your visa
- If visa needed, please ask us for invitation letter to ease the visa application process.
- Flight details for on time Airport transfer services.
Terms and Conditions
- We have updated our cancellation policies due to the Coronavirus situation.
- Grandoria Tours cares for the well-being, health, and satisfaction of its guests and partners.
- To make the process easier, you can pre-book your tours and enjoy your bookings until the last day.
- This updated process helps you save time and money, and eliminates risk when you book with us.
- After your reservation is confirmed, a 25% advance payment is required to secure the rooms in the mentioned hotels.
- The remaining payment can be made up to 2 weeks before your arrival date.
Cancellation Procedures
- If you cancel more than 2 weeks before the departure date, no penalty will be applied and your 25% deposit will be refunded.
- This policy is designed to keep our guests on the safe side, so you won’t need to worry about penalties.
- If you have provided your arrival/departure flight details and received confirmation for accommodation and tour programs, but do not show up for the tour, the 25% deposit will be non-refundable.
- For tours requiring special accommodation (such as international brand-name hotels), these are considered “customized/tailor-made tours”. In such cases, the hotel’s own cancellation and payment policies will apply, and these terms will be clearly stated in your itinerary.
- Our aim is not to charge unnecessary penalties and to always act in the best interest of our guests.
Seasonal Information
- Winter (Dec – Feb): Avg. 10°C – Bring a coat.
- Spring (Mar – May): Avg. 22°C – Light layers recommended.
- Summer (Jun – Aug): Avg. 30°C – Hat & sunscreen essential.
- Autumn (Sep – Nov): Avg. 20°C – Pleasant walking weather.
Reservation Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Winter (Dec – Feb): Avg. 10°C – Bring a coat.
- Spring (Mar – May): Avg. 22°C – Light layers recommended.
- Summer (Jun – Aug): Avg. 30°C – Hat & sunscreen essential.
- Autumn (Sep – Nov): Avg. 20°C – Pleasant walking weather.