Explore the less visited back streets of Istanbul. Our tour starts from Eminounu district to get to see the RUSTEM PAŞA MOSQUE, one of the most beautiful of the smaller mosques of Sinan. Interior and exterior is decorated with the best Iznik tiles. We walk to CHURCH OF THE PANTOCRATOR, known as Zeyrek Camii. It is one of the most important Byzantine sanctuaries surviving in the city. Afterwards, we stroll among the old Ottoman wooden houses in the same district. Then, we drive along the Golden Horn  to Eyup district and get on a cable car to ride up to the TEAHOUSE OF PIERRE LOTTI; this is named after the French novelist who visited during his stay in Istanbul in 1876. The cafe commands a superb view of the Golden Horn. Right below is the great cemetery of Eyup, the last resting place of many notables from the Ottoman Times became almost a museum. Then, we walk over the GALATA BRIDGE to Sirkeci district and get on a one of the oldest underground tunnel car to drive up to BEYOGLU DISTRICT (PERA). We walk all along the Istiklal Caddesi lined up with late nineteenth century buildings built in Art Nouve style and there is an old-fashioned tramway running between Taksim and Tunnel district. We get to TAKSIM SQUARE, the center of the modern town. We get on our motor coach and drive to ASIAN SIDE to Uskudar district where we have our optional lunch in KANAAT RESTAURANT; specialized in Turkish cuisine. After our lunch, we drive to MAIDEN'S TOWER (KIZ KULESI), LEANDER?S TOWER. One of the familiar sights in Istanbul is perhaps the one less visited. This ancient tower stands on a tiny islet just offshore from the old Salacak. We ride on a small boat to get to the tower where you can explore the city 360 degrees from the top. After our optional tea break in the tower, we take a car ferry to cross the Bosphorus over the EUROPEAN SIDE; Eminounu district.

Tour strength: moderate activity - panoramic tour. Comfortable shoes are must.

Best time to visit: Tuesday - Sunday
Maiden's Tower is closed on Mondays.