• Bosphorus Strait - Istanbul serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, offering one of the most unique and stunning settings globally. The Bosphorus, flowing between the hills on the European and Asian shores, is a natural gem.

“This enchanting strait, sometimes spelled Bosporus or Bosphorus, has been known by this name since ancient times. It derives from the myth of Io, Jupiter’s mistress, who crossed it as a cow. Similar to the Dardanelles in length, breadth, and current, it separates Europe from Asia but has its own distinct features. Unlike a solitary stream between deserted shores, it is a lively waterway, winding through banks adorned with palaces and villages, shaded by magnificent trees, offering new scenes of bustling life at every mile.”

• Dolmabahce Palace - Located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, Dolmabahce Palace, with its various dependencies, forms a small town, with gardens stretching over a mile along the water’s edge. Built by Sultan Abdülmecit (1839-1861), the palace showcases a mix of architectural styles, mainly baroque, with abundant ornamentation. Despite this, the overall effect is pleasing, and the location is excellently chosen. The heart of the building features chandeliers and a musician’s gallery. Its interior sparkles with gilded decorations, luxurious chandeliers and mirrors, priceless porcelains, and exquisite brocades of gold and silver. The expansive gardens, originally designed by European landscape architects, include parterres and fountains. Constructed by architect Balyan Usta in 1853, the palace boasts a 600-meter-long marble pier and landing stages along the Bosphorus, with access from the land through beautiful tall Baroque gates.

• Dolmabahce Mosque - The Dolmabahçe Mosque, located in Istanbul, Turkey, was commissioned by Queen Mother Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan.

• Bosphorus Bridge - Opened on October 29, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this bridge has the longest span in Europe and the fourth in the world. The suspension bridge measures 1560 meters (1706 yards) in total length and 33.4 meters (110 ft) in width. The span between pylons is 1074 meters (1175 yards), with a clearance above sea level of 64 meters (210 ft). The construction of the steel box-girder suspension was completed by a British-German consortium. A second bridge connecting Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus was completed in 1989 between Emirgan and Kanlica.

• Bosphorus Strait - Bosphorus Through The Ages
  Istanbul stands unrivaled. It embodies adventure, glamour, excitement, and mystery. Centuries of invaders have been captivated by this magical and majestic city, with its 340 Byzantine columns, 500 mosques, fabulous palaces, fountains, cisterns, baths, churches, wells, and covered bazaars. No other city on earth boasts so many ancient buildings of beauty and distinction.

Istanbul is no myth. Its reality is rooted in its extraordinary history, dating back to the first colonization in 657 BC by the Megarians, who named it Byzantium after their commander Byzas. The Roman Emperor Constantine elevated Byzantium to the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire in the third century AD, renaming it Constantinople after himself. The Turks ended the Eastern Empire in 1453, establishing Constantinople as the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

• Bebek Park - Bebek is a historic neighborhood in Istanbul, within the Beşiktaş district. It is located on Bebek Bay along the European shores of the Bosphorus Strait and is surrounded by affluent neighborhoods like Arnavutköy and Etiler.

• Ortakoy - Ortaköy is a vibrant area centered around its waterfront square, where crowds gather for impromptu concerts or to enjoy tea on café terraces. Stands selling waffles or kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) share bustling alleys with souvenir stalls. The ornate, light-filled Ortaköy Camii mosque sits at the water’s edge, overshadowed by the Bosphorus Bridge. After dark, upscale restaurants and clubs nearby attract a chic crowd.

• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, this bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, spans the Bosphorus Strait. Completed in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world at the time; today, it ranks 24th.

• Anadolu Kavagi - Anadolukavağı, also known as Anadolu Kavağı, is a neighborhood in the Beykoz district of İstanbul Province, Turkey. “Anadolu” means Anatolia in Turkish, and “Kavak” means “control post” in Ottoman Turkish, referring to its strategic position on the Bosphorus.

• Yoros Castle - Located in Beykoz, the castle’s purpose is to protect the Black Sea entrance of the Bosphorus. Often referred to as Genoese Castle, it was built by the 8th Byzantine Emperor Mihael Palaeologos, according to an inscription. It may have derived its name from “Oros,” meaning mountain or hill in Greek. Yoros Castle has been closed for a long time, but visitors can enjoy views of the 3rd Bridge and the Bosphorus with some climbing.

• Rumeli Fortress - Rumelihisari Fortress - (Rumelihisari Castle)
  At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisari Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror on the European shore. On March 26, 1452, the Sultan laid the foundation stone to control ship passage through the Bosphorus and use it as a base for his attack on the city. The fortress was built on the ancient site of Hermaion and completed in five months on August 28, 1452. The cannons on the towers commanded this narrowest part of the Bosphorus, opposite the older fortress of Anadoluhisari. In 500 BC, Darius had thrown a pontoon bridge across the Strait at this point, passing over 700,000 men. To Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror, it was the key to Constantinople. The design of the walls and towers displays the Prophet’s and the Conqueror’s name - Muhammet - Mehmet.

• Beylerbeyi Palace - Beylerbeyi Palace
  Situated on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus between the villages of Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, the palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865. Seen from the Bosphorus, Beylerbeyi Palace appears like a white vision from a fairy tale. It is the most extravagant royal house of the 19th century, with millions spent on its construction. Made entirely of marble, it surpasses all European royal palaces. Empress Eugénie stayed here during her 1869 visit, as did Czar Nicholas II of Russia and Edward VIII in 1936. Stone lionesses recline on marble carpets set in lawns, while swans float and fish swim in the unobtrusive pool, where pigeons catch the fountain’s spray on their wings. Miss Pardoe, during her visit, was so impressed with its Imperial Bath that she wrote about it.

• Kucuksu Pavilion - Kucuksu Palace
  The summer Palace of Kucuksu, sometimes called the Palace of Göksu, is located between the villages of Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus. Initially built by Mahmut I in 1749, it underwent restoration during the reigns of Selim III and Ahmet II. Sultan Abdülmecit renovated it in 1857, and Sultan Abdülaziz later refurbished and redecorated it. This small but elegant edifice stretches along the Bosphorus, surrounded by intricately cast iron railings. The waters and waves of the Bosphorus wash its terraces of glittering marble, sometimes penetrating their latticed and mysterious recesses.

• Anadolu Hisari Fort - Anadoluhısarı Fortress (Anadoluhısarı Castle)
  On the opposite bank stands the Anadoluhisari Fortress by the Göksu stream.

This romantic castle, adorning the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus, was built in 1395 by Sultan Bayazit, the Thunderbolt, and named “Güzelcehisar.” Later, it was extended by Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, as the first possession of Turks on the Bosphorus, it serves as a landmark of Turkish rule.

• Anadolu Kavagi - Anadolu Kavagi: A traditional fishing village on the Asian Shore
  The ruins of the Byzantine-Genoese Castle on the hill, established at the junction of the Black Sea and Marmara, offer a magnificent view. Separated from Beykoz by a wooded area, the main square of this fishing town is filled with fishermen’s restaurants serving Bosphorus travelers.

• Galata Koprusu - The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the late 19th century, the bridge has been featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry, and novels.

• Galata Tower - The Galata Tower, known as Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, just north of the Golden Horn’s junction with the Bosphorus.

• KIz Kulesi - Leander never crossed here, even in the legend referring to the Hellespont, Dardanelles. The Turkish name is KIZ Kulesi (Maiden’s Tower). It is now a modern lighthouse. In the past, it served as a fort to tax ships up to one-tenth of their cargo, similar to Pfalz Castle on the Rhine.

• Turkish Black Sea Coast - The journey extends all the way to the Black Sea, even passing the third Bosphorus Bridge, marking the transition between the Bosphorus and the Black Sea.

• Yavuz Sultan Selim Koprusu - The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is a bridge for rail and motor vehicle transit over the Bosphorus Strait, located north of two existing suspension bridges in Istanbul, Turkey. Initially named the Third Bosphorus Bridge.

• Black Sea swimming break (summer months)
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Light snacks and seasonal fruit
• Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers
• 2-course sit-down lunch
• Hotel pickup from Fatih and Taksim areas
• Bottled water, coffee, and tea
• Admission to Bosphorus Strait area

• Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
• Hotel drop-off (ends at meeting point)
• Towels and swimwear
• Gratuities (optional)

Embark on a luxurious yacht and embark on an unforgettable five-hour voyage along the Bosphorus, reaching all the way to the Black Sea. With the guidance of a professional, explore Istanbul’s most renowned waterfront landmarks before arriving at the serene northern shores.

Take pleasure in a leisurely stop at Anadolu Kavağı, where a delightful seaside lunch is served, accompanied by soft drinks and fresh seasonal fruits on board. During the summer, seize the chance to swim in a stunning, secluded cove—an experience that combines comfort, breathtaking views, and exclusivity into one remarkable cruise.

As the journey continues northward, observe the coastal scenery. Sail beneath the Bosphorus bridges, admire Ottoman-era waterfront mansions, and witness the convergence of two seas at the Black Sea entrance. With a limited number of guests on board, the atmosphere remains intimate and sophisticated, allowing for complete relaxation, attentive service, and a unique experience of the Bosphorus that few travelers have the opportunity to enjoy.

• Guests who wish to swim are recommended to bring swimwear, a towel, and personal essentials. Basic changing facilities are available on board for your convenience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.