Istanbul - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 76

Child-friendly Tours
Bosphorus Cruise

through to late depending on the
season. Prices start from as little as 3
YTL.

★★
Bosphorus Cruises. b [phone]
77 77; www.plantours.com

VALUE

★★
b [phone]; www.city-
sightseeing.com . Hop on, hop off at
Taksim Square, Old Pera, Edirnekapi,
Kumkapi and Sultanahmet.

City Sightseeing Istanbul

Taking a cruise along the
Bosphorus will let you and your
family see the city from a new
angle, and most children love a
boat ride. There are marble
palaces and wooden villas of
Ottoman architecture along the
length of the river, plus quite a
few sumptuous homes with their
own moored yachts. Living beside
the Bosphorus in a mansion is
the dream, or in some cases the
reality, of many wealthy Istanbul
residents. Youngsters will love
seeing the Rumeli Fortress, too.
It is a prime example of military
architecture and was originally
built to protect the city from
marauding invaders using the
Bosphorus as their means of
arrival.
Cruises leave from the Eminönü pier
(see p. 57) from around 10.30am

These bright red open-top buses
tour the city with hop-on, hop-
off points at key places like
Taksim Square, the Dolmabahçe
Palace and Aya Sofya in
Sultanahmet Square. For first-
time visitors to the city they are
great for orientation - and jolly
good fun. Each tour lasts around
an hour and a half, and departs
every 60 minutes starting at
11am through to late afternoon.
A commentary - in English as
well as other languages -
describes the sights and children
are given their own package.
Times vary depending on the season
but usually run hourly from 11am.
Price 40 YTL adults, 30 YTL children.

Cruising along the Bosphorus

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