Istanbul 5 stars by plane

The best time to explore the magnificent city of Istanbul is autumn, when colors, flavors, and the sunlight reflected in the Bosphorus create the perfect setting for photography lovers, travelers, and unforgettable memories.

Together with Pro Travel guides, you will journey through different periods of Byzantine and Ottoman history to discover how the city of two empires shaped the world in terms of architecture, music, painting, landscaping, decorative arts, gastronomy, and lifestyle.

Tour package details

Istanbul 5★ by plane Period: 04–07 September 2025

Day 1: Thursday, 04 September 2025 – Arrival in Istanbul

Meeting at Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni) for check-in formalities. Departure to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Arrival in Istanbul, transfer from the airport, and check-in at Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Istanbul Sultanahmet 5★.

Day 2: Friday, 05 September 2025 – Exploring Sultanahmet district

Sultanahmet Square uniquely preserves the archaeological and architectural treasures of both empires. Every stone here tells the story of Christianity’s emergence as a cultural phenomenon that later shaped Europe, as well as the rise of Islam and the way the two cultures influenced and enriched each other.

Delicious breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit to Hagia Sophia, the cathedral that inspired Christianity for nearly a millennium, later transformed into a major mosque after the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed the Conqueror. UNESCO World Heritage Site (optional).
• Visit to Topkapı Palace, the first imperial residence of the sultans, hosting an impressive collection of holy relics important to both Christians and Muslims. UNESCO World Heritage Site (optional).
• Free time for a walk in Gülhane Park, where you can also explore the permanent exhibition "The Gulhane Alphabet". Free entry.
• Stroll through the famous Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar), also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free entry.

Evening at leisure – try a street terrace or rooftop restaurant in Sultanahmet and savor the aromas of traditional Turkish cuisine.

Day 3: Saturday, 06 September 2025 – Discover the Bosphorus by water and land + Istanbul’s national sport: Shopping

Breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit to Dolmabahçe Palace, the second imperial residence of the sultans, whose architecture brought the atmosphere of Europe’s great 18th-century palaces to the Bosphorus, reflecting the empire’s modernization efforts. (optional).

Afternoon free for shopping at the Grand Bazaar, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Free entry.

Evening – Bosphorus Cruise, sailing between Europe and Asia with spectacular views of Istanbul, or free time for independent exploration of the city’s history and charm.

Day 4: Sunday, 07 September 2025 – Leisure, shopping, and return to Bucharest

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning free for seaside walks in Sultanahmet, last-minute shopping, or visiting an optional tourist attraction.

Check-out by 12:00. You may leave your luggage at reception to continue your tour of Istanbul and do final shopping.

Return to Bucharest with Turkish Airlines.

Optional attractions for independent visits

In the Sultanahmet area

• Galeri Kayseri Bookstore – the most comprehensive English-language bookstore dedicated exclusively to Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
• Hagia Sophia Museum – a recently opened interactive exhibition space, highly rated by travelers, telling the story of Istanbul’s most influential religious building.
• Mosaic Museum – with an impressive collection of artifacts and mosaics preserved from across modern-day Turkey, showcasing the link between Roman art and Byzantine Christian art.
• Kennedy Boulevard Promenade – a scenic seaside walkway, popular in the mornings with amateur joggers racing alongside seagulls.

In the Galata / Pera area

• Galata Tower – a Genoese construction that played a crucial role in the 1459 siege, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
• Museum of Innocence – one of Istanbul’s most surprising contemporary museums, created as a reflection of Orhan Pamuk’s novel. Both the book and museum depict an impossible love story set in 1970s Istanbul.
• Dervish Museum – recommended especially for admirers of the Sufi poet Rumi, known across the Islamic world as “Mevlana” (our master). The whirling dervish order originated in his mystical teachings, and the museum offers a memorable journey into this influential tradition.
• Istiklal Street and Pera Palace Hotel – once the final stop for Orient Express passengers and today a popular shopping and cultural destination.

Prices

• 848 EUR / person, airfare and double room accommodation (with breakfast and hand luggage included)
• 1197 EUR / person, airfare and single room accommodation (with breakfast and hand luggage included)