After a pick-up at your central Istanbul hotel you’ll visit the Dolmabahce Palace, which, in the 19th century was the principle residence and administration center during the days of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.rnrnAdmire its splendid Baroque exterior and mixture of traditional and European interior styles. Enjoy a brief stroll in the Yildiz Royal Gardens, a real respite from the hectic atmosphere of the city.rnrnNext on your full-day tour is lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a drive along the old city walls to Eyup Square. Built by Constantine the Great and expanded by Emperor Theodosius in the 4th Century A.D. the walls protected the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for 900 years.rnrnFrom here you’ll take the cable car up Pierre Loti Hill to admire the panoramic views of the city and the Golden Horn estuary below.rnrnIt’s just a short drive to the Eminonu Pier, where you’ll board a ferry for a 90-minute cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, which runs through the city of Istanbul, between the Asian and European continents.rnrnYour expert local guide will tell you about the Ottoman palaces, ancient fortresses, suspension bridges, and upscale shore villages of typical Ottoman architecture that you’ll see along the way. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.rnrn