After pick-up from your hotel or the Istanbul cruise port, your small group tour will take you to the most remarkable sights of the Old City of Istanbul. Included in the tour is a visit to the Underground Cistern. The Bacilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Dating back to the 6th century, it stored water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings. The fascinating history of this mesmerizing attraction will be explained in detail by your knowledgable guide. Any visit to Istanbul would not be complete without a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and so naturally your tour will also stop here. The mosque is famously known as the Blue Mosque due to the intricately decorated blue tiles adorning its interior. The hand-painted tiles are an attraction in and of themselves. Built by Sultan Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616 the mosque is one of the most enchanting sights in Istanbul and sure to be a highlight of the tour. The Roman Hippodrome and surrouning monuments are the next stop on your tour. A popular attraction for countless visitors to Istanbul, the ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine social life and the scene of fiercely competitive chariot races. It was located in the square that is now in front of the Blue Mosque and is still home to ancient relics from its glory days. Your expert guide will explain the fascinating stories behind these monuments. The Hagia Sophia is another popular and key stop on the tour. The Hagia Sophia was a former Orthodox Basilica, later it became a mosque and today is a brilliant musuem. Your guide will explain the journey of this captivating building and you will then have time to explore its treasures. A lunch stop is included as part of the tour and you can look forward to a delicious Turkish lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. A final highlight of the tour will be the relaxing cruise along the Bosphorus. From the comfort of a boat you will get fantastic views of the fine palaces, pavilions, Ottoman houses and seaside neighborhoods along the shores of this famous and historic waterway connecting the Black Sea and the Maramara Sea. These are just some of the highlights of full and fascinating tour that will offer you a brilliant insight to the mesmerizing city of Istanbul. After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. You may also choose to part from your guide at the location of the last visited sight of the tour.