Istanbul Super Saver: Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise and Egyptian Spice Market Tour plus Turkish Dinner and Show

Your Istanbul Super Savor tour kicks off by selecting a morning or afternoon start time. No trip to Istanbul is complete without experiencing highlights like the local markets, a cruise on the Bosphorus and a taste of the local culture.

Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Spice Market Tour (4 hours):Your Istanbul Super Saver tour begins upon meeting your guide. Depart your hotel and meet your expert local guide who will serve as your cultural curator of the day. Make sure you camera has a full charge, as you’ll want to capture the breadth of stunning sites throughout the day. 

First, head to the Egyptian Spice Market, a tantalizing market that harkens back to the 17th century. Mingle with stall owners and snap photos of the colorful array of spices piled throughout the market. Learn bargaining tips from your guide, as well as anecdotes about its history. After the market, venture to the Bosphorus Strait for a scenic cruise along the river that separates Istanbul’s European and Asian continents. 

Enjoy views of Istanbul’s landmarks from the inside cabin or the deck. See the 15th-century Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, Dolmabahçe Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace, a former vacation getaway for sultans, as you float along. At the end of the daytime tour, relish a convenient drop-off at your central Istanbul hotel, then enjoy free time before the evening portion (six hours if you went on the morning tour, or two hours for the afternoon tour. 

Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show (4 hours):Start your evening with a hotel pickup and then travel to a traditional Turkish restaurant in the center of town. Settle into your prime restaurant seat and enjoy your Turkish 4-course meal. While specific dishes change nightly, you can expect traditional specialties, mineral water, and a half bottle of wine or beer or non-alcohol drinks, whichever you prefer. More drinks may be purchased on your own accord.  As your courses come out, traditional Anatolian folk music sets the stage for a professional belly-dancing show. Sit back and enjoy the food, the atmosphere and this special live performance that shows what Turkish hospitality is all about.

After the meal and show, meet your professional driver at the given destination, then head back to your hotel.