Explore splendid Topkapı Palace, imperial residence of the sultan, his court, and harem, as well as the seat of government from which the Ottoman Turks ruled most of Europe and the Middle East. At the exquisite Underground Basilica Cistern learn about the city’s sixth-century sophisticated ancient water system in this beautiful and unusual space filled with recycled ancient marble columns.
Tour the Backstreets of the Grand Bazaar seeing the local – but no less crowded – side of this bustling marketplace. Experience a cooking demonstration and dinner of Ottoman Palace Cuisine. These dishes were served to the Sultan and his court, the recipes lost when the empire fell.