Ancient Markets of Istanbul – RY Marketplace

Highlights 
Immerse in the culture and history of Istanbul Explore the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market See the finest examples of goldsmiths, silversmiths, antique dealers, fabrics, leather products, and more Enjoy a break and try nargile (water pipe) along with tea, apple tea, and Turkish coffee

DescriptionDiscover the vibrant markets of Istanbul and its fascinating history on this guided tour. Start with a relaxing ferry ride from Kadikoy to Eminonu followed by a visit to the Spice Market and the Rustem Pasha Mosque, where you’ll see the most diverse patterns of Iznik tiles. Then, walk through the maze of streets that lead to the Grand Bazaar, where you’ll witness the finest examples of goldsmiths, silversmiths, antique dealers, fabrics, leather products, semi-precious stones, calligraphic examples, and the most advanced art of rug weaving. Finally, take a break and try nargile (water pipe) along with tea, apple tea, and Turkish coffee in a medieval school complex called madrasa.

Who This Experience Is Good For
This experience is perfect for history lovers, anyone interested in culture and shopping, and those who want to discover old Istanbul.

Difficulty Level
Easy, no experience necessary. 

Who is Our Local Host
Aydın Kudu is a distinguished tour guide and travel expert who has been an active tourist guide in Turkey since 1987. He is National Geographic’s local expert, interpreting Turkey’s culture, history, and language for writers, photographers, and filmmakers who work in Turkey.

Itenary

8:30 AM Meet at Kadıköy Pier for Eminönü

What’s Not Included
– Extra food or drinks not mentioned
– Anything not mentioned above
– Local ferry ride tickets

Know Before You Go 

Minimum Needed: 8 people What is the refund policy? All cancellations, by customer or Remote Year will be given in Marketplace credit within 3 days of the cancellationWhen a customer cancels, credit value will be subject to any associated cancellation fees.Credit can be used toward anything on the Marketplace or toward future program fees. If you’d like to use toward Program Fees, please email [email protected] Credit is valid for 24 months from date of the email.  Unless the original purchase was via RY Gift Card.If you would prefer a cash refund,  please email [email protected] within 3 days of receiving the marketplace credit.

Note that any cash refund for customer cancellations will incur a minimum 10% transaction and handling fee

What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?

Let’s be real – no one can control the weather, and sometimes things just don’t go as planned. But don’t worry, your City Manager is here to help and will do their best to come up with a solution if an event is affected. We understand that everyone’s schedule is different, so while we can’t guarantee a make-up option will work for everyone, we promise to try our hardest. If you’re unable to attend the make-up date, no problem – we’ll give you a full refund for your booking.

I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?

Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.

Can I book for a friend / family member?

Sure! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. We do, however, reserve the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using RY Services. 

I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help?

Please reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll help. In some cases, you may have multiple emails associated on the Marketplace and this is causing some confusion. Reach out and we’ll do our best to sort it out! 

If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes, you may transfer your booking to another Nation Member or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved. 

Will I be able to work on this experience? 

If you have to check in with work at any point during the scheduled time, we recommend confirming with the City Manager before booking.

I’m a Nation Member but not on an active program, can I still book? 

We will always prioritize Remotes who are traveling with an active program on experiences. You may be able to book but there is a chance the City Manager will reach out to let you know we have to release your spot for an active Remote. If you’re in a city but not traveling with a program, we recommend reaching out to the City Manager on the Hub to confirm before booking.