TOUR CODE : IST - 04 PORT : ISTANBUL TOUR DESTINATION : DOLMABAHCE PALACE, YILDIZ PARK, RUMELI FORTRESS TRANSPORTATION : BY A/C CAR OR MINIBUS DURATION OF TOUR : APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS MEAL : NOT INCLUDED

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

Visit to Dolmabahce Palace, now open as a museum, is the largest and grandest by far of the imperial palaces begun in 1840 by the famous Balian family of architects. Dolmabahce was used as the principal imperial residence by all of the latter Sultans except Abdul Hamit II., who preferred his own more requested palace at Yildiz. After the end of the Empire, Dolmabahce served for a time as a state residence and was used to entertain visiting royalty. Ataturk used it as a presidential residence when he was in Istanbul, and he died here on 10 November 1938. We continue to Yildiz Park and the grounds of Yildiz Palace, which is virtually the last extensive bit of greenery left on the European shore of the Bosphorus. Beautiful greenhouses and pavilions have been restored and serving now as cafes. Afterwards drive along the Bosphorus to Rumeli Hisar (Castle of Rumeli) built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, the year before he conquered the city. The castle is situated at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus and the object was, in corporation with the castle on the other side, Anadolu Hisar, to cut the city off from communication with and possible aid from the Black Sea. In this object it was perfectly successful, but after the fall of the city it had no military function, and the north tower was used as a prison.

Note : Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.