The document summarizes the first 3 days of a tour of Istanbul, Turkey. It describes visits to archeological museums, the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace which houses the former home of Sultans, and heavy rain that prevented photos inside the palace. Other sites visited included the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace built in 1460, and the quiet Sultan's library housed there. The tour concluded with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, known for its gold paint, before being led through tunnels by their guide to dinner.

1. Istanbul
OUR FIRS T 3
DAYS

2. Before the tour began we visited the archeological museums &
the Blue Mosque (under construction) our own

3. Sea of Marmara

4. Gray first day but Gulhane park was green

5. Our Day 2 - Dolmabahce Palace Home of the Sultans and Harem 1844-1922 – Poured tons of rain &
no pictures allowed in the Palace or the Harem, but we got one of the throne room.
Palace gates on the Bosphorus it’s been a long day but it stopped

6. Rain or shine there were tourists in
Old Town but more when the sun
shone

7. Dinner at the Seaside Lounge with a wonderful view.

8. Hippodrome –
Kris & I
insisted on
seeing it up
close

9. Our official tour began with Tokapi
Palace built 1460-1478 by Sultan Mehmet
II after capturing Constantinople.

10. Topkapi Palace

11. Details Topkapi Palace

12. One of the quieter Topaki Palace building was the
Sultan’s library

13. Palace Grounds and view
from the Palace Terrace

14. Last site the first day of our official tour was
Hagia Sophia
Real gold used in the paint

15. Tourists and
Worshipers

16. Guide Mert led is through
tunnels of Istanbul to dinner