Discover the largest city in Turkey, and the only city in the world to straddle 2 continents, on a full-day tour of Istanbul’s iconic highlights. Stops include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the lively Grand Bazaar. One of the major highlights of your itinerary will be the iconic Hagia Sophia, the 4th largest church – and the largest Byzantine church – in the world. You will also see Sultanahmet Mosque, the icon of Istanbul, it stands on the site of the original Byzantine city, directly across from the Hagia Sophia. Continue to the Hippodrome. In Byzantine times it was a huge open-air arena with banks of seats that formed an elongated oval shape and boasted seating for up to 100,000 people. Continue to Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Today a spectacular museum, it boasts one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the famous treasury of the Royal Family. Wander around the lively streets and stalls of the Grand Bazaar, in continuous operation since the 15th-Century. Pick up souvenirs among the carpets, antiques, trinkets, and bowls of Nazar “evil eye” amulets. Finally, you will see the famous Golden Horn. Drive along the Horn, past Roman walls and Byzantine churches, and see the body of water that divides Europe and Asia.