Turkey: Authentic Istanbul
Cook up a feast of ancient Ottoman recipes, learn the art of water marbling & dine on the Bosphorus aboard a private sunset yacht
Turkey: Authentic Istanbul
Turkey: Authentic Istanbul
Cook up a feast of ancient Ottoman recipes, learn the art of water marbling & dine on the Bosphorus aboard a private sunset yacht
Turkey: Authentic Istanbul
Unique Experiences
Take a street food tour of Istanbul's Asian side, including a Turkish coffee-making ritual
About your trip
Step inside one of the world’s most alluring cities with oodles of culture, heritage and culinary appeal – and a skyline that’s out-of-this-world.
Flash Pack’s four-day escape to Istanbul goes big on experience, lining up the best, most classic and unique activities for full-scale immersion in this destination of dreams. Join us as we haggle in the Grand Bazaar and marvel at some of Istanbul’s most iconic buildings. Learn to cook an Ottoman Palace feast, and take a street food tour through Istanbul’s Asian Side. Meet the city’s talented community of local artisans, including a rare chance to watch carpet-weavers at work, and a Turkish water marbling masterclass.
This is a holiday of sunset yachting on the Bosphorus and an indulgent hammam session. It tells the story of Roman Empires and Byzantine treasures; but also of rooftop bars, hip hotels and buzzy, design-led boutiques. Istanbul is ready: what about you?
What's Included
- Local transport
- Max 14 travellers per group
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
- 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
- Arrival airport transfer
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.
Itinerary
Your Itinerary
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Day 01 Dine like a Sultan in rooftop Istanbul
Flashpackers, welcome to Istanbul – a mesmerising city of cultural secrets where Europe meets Asia. The Turkish metropolis is your home for the next four days and we’ll get right to the thick of it. A private transfer will whisk you from the airport to your hotel, in time for a welcome meeting with your group and guide. We’ll then catch a tram together to the Old City – and a very special three-course cooking class at a Michelin-recognised restaurant. Learn all about the art of Ottoman Palace cuisine – the 15th-century fare once enjoyed by sultans and their courtiers – before dining on the rooftop with sunset views across Istanbul.
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Day 02 City treasures and a hammam
Today, we’ll hop on-board a (figurative) chariot ride at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, marvel at the minarets of Hagia Sophia and be wowed by the Blue Mosque’s architectural prowess. We’ll also get to see traditional carpets being made inside a private studio – an experience that’s normally off-limits to tourists. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is next. Have your bargaining skills ready in this maze of over 4,000 street stores, covering everything from jewellery to kaftans and antiques. Soak in the hustle of the waterfront before this afternoon’s hammam. Revel in this time-honoured ritual of marble steam baths, with an all-over body scrub and massage, washed down with mint tea and Turkish Delight.
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Day 03 From street food to sunset sailing
Treat yourself to a lie-in before we hop on a ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul. Have your appetites primed for a street food tour through the leafy avenues and markets of the vast Anatolian area. We’ll begin with family-style meze plates at the atmospheric Çiya Sofrasi restaurant (star of Netflix show Chef’s Table) followed by local, seasonal tastings around the neighbourhood – including a Turkish coffee experience. This afternoon, we’ll take part in a private Ebru workshop with a local artist. Water marbling is an intricate tradition passed down through generations of Muslim Turks. Finish your day with a sunset meal aboard a private yacht, as we travel back across the Bosphorus.
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Day 04 Güle güle, Istanbul
We can’t believe the time has come already but, after a whirlwind few days of discovering Istanbul, it’s time to bid farewell. After breakfast, make your own way back to the airport – or you may choose to stay on for a few days in this city of promise. Flash Pack adventures in neighbouring Greece or Georgia may also tempt. Wherever you land up next, you’ll be flying high from a flavour-packed few days experiencing Istanbul at its most potent. From Ottoman cuisine to Byzantine architecture and modern-day art and hammams, you’ve tried it all; and with new solo traveller friends to boot. Life doesn’t get much sweeter…
Our Favourite Hotels
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
The Burdock
This sleek hotel from Marriott’s Autograph Collection is located in a local, arty neighbourhood between Istanbul’s Karaköy and Tophane districts – away from the tourists but with plenty of buzz. Expect contemporary rooms with air-con, an indoor pool, sauna, spa and a restaurant. Waterfront Galataport is within walking distance and Dolmabahce Palace is two tram stops away.
Important Notes
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Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code
Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST), the city’s main international airport, a 45-minute taxi drive from our hotel. From the UK, you can also fly to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), which is an hour away from the hotel.
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What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?
Please try to arrive in Istanbul before 12pm on Day 1. It usually takes around 45-60 minutes to get to your hotel, however in heavy traffic it could take a couple of hours.
The welcome meeting will be at 3pm starting at the hotel, followed by the cooking class – which you won’t want to miss. If you need to book a pre-night, please get in touch with our sales team who can arrange this for you.
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What time should my flight depart on the last day?
There are no activities planned for the final day of the trip, so you’re free to leave any time that you wish. You’ll need to checkout of the hotel by 12pm. It usually takes around 45-60 minutes to get from your hotel to the airport, however during rush hours, you should expect delays and allow a couple of hours.
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Do you include airport transfers?
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.
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What should I wear when visiting a mosque?
When visiting mosques on Day 2 of the trip itinerary, women should wear a headscarf that covers their heads and shoulders. As a sign of respect, men are also expected to cover their legs at least down to the knee.
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What will the hammam experience be like?
You’ll be divided into same-sex rooms for the hammam. Feel free to bring a swimsuit and slippers, and special underwear is also available if you’d like it.
A reviving body scrub and massage that opens the pores and gets rid of dead skin is a core part of the hammam experience. You’ll also be bathing and relaxing on heated marble slabs.
Some products will be provided by the hammam, but you can choose to bring along a bag of your own skincare items or face masks to apply if you fancy it, too. The Day Two hammam ritual will take place as follows:
- 20-minute get ready, lie down on hot marbles
- 30-minute scrub and massage
- 30-minute wash off, shower
- Enjoy complimentary teas and Turkish Delight
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What level of fitness will I need?
Overall, this adventure is fairly relaxed with no challenging physical activities. However, there will be lots of walking around the city.
We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.
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Will this itinerary change?
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.
OUR PROMISE
Joining the Flash Pack comes with a few special guarantees
THE PEOPLE
Our mission is to create 1 million friendships, so we obsess over the group dynamic. Everyone is aged 30-49, 98% travel solo & 80% stay friends.
Want to know more about your group?
Get in touch.
THE SECURITY
We operate using a 3rd party trust bank account, meaning we guarantee refunds in 14 days if your trip has to be cancelled.
Book with confidence.
THE TRIPS
Our trips are made up of ‘can’t-do-by-yourself’ experiences – think staying on your own private island in the Arctic and glamping in Land Rovers on the Serengeti.
See trips.
THE GUIDES
We only work with trusted local guides who know their destinations better than anyone.
Meet your Pack Leaders.
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