Bus tour from Kiev to Istanbul for 6 days from «Universal Travel Group»

1 day

• 06:30 - Gathering of the group in Kiev near Zhitomirskaya metro station («Infinity» car dealership).
• 07:00 - Departure of the group from Kiev.
• Border crossing.
• Transit through the territory of Romania and Bulgaria.
• Night moving.

2nd day

• Moving to Istanbul.
• Accommodation at the hotel.
• Free time.
• Overnight.

Day 3

• Breakfast.

• Sightseeing tour of Istanbul (included in the tour price). Mysterious and majestic, noisy and fabulously beautiful, Istanbul is a bridge between Europe and Asia, between the traditional East and the modern West. Throughout its rich history, he managed to change several names and visit the capital of four empires: Roman and Byzantine, Ottoman and Latin. During the tour, you will get to know this wonderful city and see: the Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome, the Roksolana Turkish Baths, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Square.
• For a more complete acquaintance with the city of two continents, take a bus sightseeing tour (20 €). On this excursion, you will drive along the embankment of the Bosphorus, see the highest point of Istanbul - the Galata Tower, the Golden Horn Bay, and in the end, across the Bosphorus Bridge, you will find yourself in Asia, from where a beautiful view of the European part of the city opens.
• Topkapi Palace (15 € and entrance ticket) is the largest and oldest palace in the world that has survived to this day. The palace is located on the site of the first settlement in Istanbul, occupies one of the seven hills of the city, from where a magnificent view of the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara opens. For 400 years, this palace was the center of government of the Ottoman State, one of the three largest empires in the world.
• Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul (15 € and entrance ticket) is a symbol of the heyday and simultaneous decline of the Ottoman Empire. There is nothing more majestic and grandiose in the whole world. Huge areas, rich materials, luxurious finishes - all testify to the former power and greatness of Turkey in the 19th century.
• Excursion «Ukrainian trace in Turkish history» (15 €). On this excursion you will learn more about the Ukrainian woman who at one time became the most influential woman of the Ottoman Empire - Roksolana. Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture and arguably the most beautiful mosque in Istanbul. During the construction, the talented author paid special attention to the refinement of her silhouette, telling in stone the love story of Suleiman the Great and Roksolana. There is a cemetery near the mosque, where Suleiman and his beloved wife are buried in the mausoleums.
• Boat on the Bosphorus (20 €) - a boat trip on the Bosphorus will reveal to you all the greatness and splendor of Istanbul. From the deck of the ship you will see the famous historical monuments of the former capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires: Dolmabahce and Beylerbey Palaces, Rumeli Hisar and Anadolu Hisar fortresses, Galatasaray, Kashik and Sedef islands.
• «Evening walk along the Bosphorus» (48 € with alcohol and 38 € without alcohol). On a boat in the light of the evening lights, the majestic Istanbul will open before you. There are many nationalities living in Turkey, and each of them is famous for its traditions. You will see national dances of the inhabitants of the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, as well as Caucasian dances, belly dancing and colorful Turkish wedding ceremonies. In addition, dervishes will perform in front of you, achieving a feeling of incredible spiritual uplift through rhythmic whirling. You will remember for a long time their bright white dress, high hats and incredible energy in the hall and on the stage that is born during the dance. In addition to a great entertainment program, you will be offered a la carte dinner and local drinks on the ship. Be sure to try the famous crayfish, which has an almost sacred status in the country.
• Overnight.

4th day

• Breakfast.
• Free day in Istanbul.
• Author's excursion to the «Instagram places» of Istanbul (25 €). If you like to explore the city from different angles, adore non-standard interesting places and simply cannot imagine life without cool photos on Instagram, then this excursion was created just for you! The walk will begin with a million dollar location! There must be a place in Istanbul where the best shots in all of Turkey come out. And it is there - this is the roof of a building with views of the whole of Istanbul, where you can change into the costumes of Turkish rulers, take a photo on the throne, they will summon seagulls especially for you and treat you to tea or coffee. Here you can take a photo of your dreams! (entrance is paid additionally). After enjoying the views and pictures, you will travel to the oldest existing district of Istanbul. Local neighborhoods with their colorful houses, unconventional architecture and color are an inexhaustible source of photo inspiration. Continue your walk through famous Instagram locations. In search of new places and interesting perspectives, you will see a completely different, but no less amazing Istanbul. And, of course, the walk will not do without vivid photographs.
• In the afternoon, upon request, transfer to the Shopping Center (10 €). Istanbul, like the rest of Turkey, is famous for shopping. And you don't miss it either! You will go to the shopping center «Marmara Forum» - a large center with all kinds of shops and entertainment.
• Optional walking tour «Charm of Istanbul at night» (23 €). Perhaps, every city in the evening not only changes its outfit in the light of colored lights, but also shows character. The charm of Istanbul at night cannot be compared with any other city. Majestic and contrasting during the day, at night Istanbul opens from a new side. On the excursion you will visit Taksim Square, which is considered the heart of modern Istanbul. Istiklal Street departs from it - the main and most popular pedestrian street in the city, which is never empty at any time of the year or day. Here you will find trendy restaurants and bars, boutiques of famous brands and popular nightclubs, it is on this street that the bright red tram runs, or, as it is also called, Nostalgic Tram. Along Istiklal you will head towards the Golden Horn and Galata quarter, where the highest point of Istanbul and one of the oldest attractions - the Galata Tower - rises above the evening city. Finally, take a look at the Karakoy area with its many streets, creative cafes and bars popular with Istanbul youth.
• Overnight.

Day 5

• Breakfast.
• Check-out from the hotel.
• Excursion to the picturesque Princes' Islands (30 €). The Princes' Islands is a small archipelago of islands in the Sea of Marmara, where peace and quiet reign in contrast to Istanbul. The islands became famous even during the Byzantine Empire; unwanted sons of the emperor or his relatives were sent here, hence the name of the archipelago. Today, the Princes' Islands is one of the favorite vacation spots for both Istanbul residents and tourists, a place where you will forget about the noise of the metropolis and modern technologies. There are no gasoline cars, no rush, no shopping malls and no crowds of people. But there is an endless sea, bright sun, green hills, pine trees, cozy streets, wooden castles and villas of the nobility. In short, an idyll! You will walk along cozy picturesque streets, find picturesque photogenic corners, taste delicious ice cream and learn how local life has changed over the centuries.
• Departure from Istanbul.
• Night moving.

6 day

• Border crossing.
• Night arrival in Kiev (estimated arrival time depends on the passage of the border).