We did this wonderful trip in 2008 and arrived a few days early as well. We like to venture off on our own and try to experience the local culture. So, on one of our first days, we boarded a ferry (the hotel concierge can give you directions to the pier) and rode about 90+minutes to the final destination, Buyukada, one of the Princes' Islands (12 miles from Istanbul). The ferry holds a lot of people, so there are many stops. Someone we met on the ferry brought us tea (in those little tulip glasses with a saucer), and the ladies across from us (with their children for a day's outing) insisted we share some cookies with them! Once there, we rode a phaeton (horse and buggy) around the entire island. So much fun! We did a bit of browsing (was a bit too windy to venture up to St. George's Monastery...but would have loved to go there), had lunch (Ali Baba's) and returned to istanbul. Not a lot of English spoken, but everyone was so welcoming, it didn't matter. What a phenomenal day! It was one of the highlights of the trip for us. On another day we did a tour of the Dolmabahce Palace (not sure if Tauck has finally included it in the itinerary...if not, it is worth a visit). Get out and experience Istanbul! It is a fabulous city!
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