Serving as a bridge between two continents, Istanbul has been at the centre of three world empires — Eastern Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman, and as such has played an important role in the development of major religions, pefect for your next school trip.
With 99% of the population of Muslim faith, Istanbul is an important Islamic centre, and is custodian to many important buildings including the magnificent Blue Mosque. The city has also served as one of the four centers of Orthodox Christianity. Today, Turkey’s secular state allows equal rights for all religious faiths, allowing all religions, including Judaism, to live in relative harmony and retain their beliefs and traditions. This religious pedigree makes Istanbul the ideal destination to study the Islamic , Christian and Jewish faiths. Contact Adaptable Travel today to start organising your next school trip.
4 Day, 3 Night Religious Studies Itinerary Package
The following visits can be arranged with official guide and transport, and highlights the importance of Istanbul as a meeting point for religions of the world, through the ages of time:
Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque tour & Museum
Roman Hippodrome
Arasta Bazaar
The Church of St Bacchus & Segius
The Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar/The Egyptian Market
Mosque of Rustem Pasha
Byzantine Harbour & the Siege of Constantinople
The Bridge of Galata & The Galata Tower
Bosphorus Boat Cruise
The Church of the Holy Wisdom, known as Hagia Sophia, is a former Byzantine church and former Ottoman mosque, that has now been turned into a museum. Hagia Sophia is universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world.
Sultanahmet Mosque - The Blue Mosque
Seen from the sea, its domes and minarets dominate the skyline of the old part of the city. The architect was given a mandate to spare no expense in creating the most magnificent and beautiful place of Islamic worship in the world
This is the largest synagogue in Istanbul, position in the traditional center of the city's Jewish community. Designed and decorated in a modern style, it was inaugurated on March 25, 1951, and is used for major functions of the community such as bar mitvahs, weddings and funerals. The bema and ark are at the front of the hall, with seating around three sides.
Balat Jewish Quarter Walking tour
Balat is another of the Istanbul quarters in which Jews were settled after their expulsion from Spain, enlarging a community which had lived here since Byzantine times.
Known for its jewellery, spices, pottery and textiles, the Arasta Bazaar is in Istanbul and is a small market close to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
Arasta Bazaar comprises of 2 shop lined squares behind the Blue Mosque and a row of stable esque shops stretching the length of the mosque's precinct.
The Church of St Bacchus & Sergius
The Church of St Bacchus & Sergius is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, converted into a mosque.
Erected in the sixth century, this building is one of the most important early Byzantine buildings in Istanbul.
Sergius and Bacchus were Roman citizens and high-ranking officers of the Roman Army, but their covert Christianity was discovered. Once Antiochus could not convince them to give up their faith, Bacchus was beaten to death, the next day Bacchus' spirit appeared to Sergius and encouraged him to remain strong, Sergius was also tortured and finally executed at Resafa.
The Grand Bazaar meaning 'Covered Bazaar,' is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
Your group can expect to find anything in this marvellous place from fashion and jewellery to carpets and textiles.
Spice Bazaar/The Egyptian Market
The second largest shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar is located in Fatih, in the neighborhood of Eminönü.
Your students can expect to find heaps of spices, dates and sweet treats gallore. If their peckish, there is always hot food on offer such as kebabs.
Built from around 1561 until 1563, Rüstem Pasha Mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Damat Rüstem Pasha.
The Mosque was built on a high terrace above a complex of vaulted shops who inhabitants were intended to financially support the mosque complex.
The Bridge of Galata & The Galata Tower
The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey and has featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels.
The Galata Tower is just to the north of the Golden Horn, a medieval stone tower in the Galata district of Istanbul and one of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and affords a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul and its environs.
Topkapi Palace
Galata Bridge
Egyptian Spice Market
Sultanahmet District
Leander’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi)
Yedikule Zindanhan (dungeon)
Beyoglu – Modern Section of the City Grand Bazaar
Istiklal Street
Corlulu Ali pasa Medresesi –
Historic Café (Water-Pipe)
Constantine Column
Cicek Pasaji – The Flower Passage
Egyptian Obelisk
Balat – Jewish Quarter
'The accommodation listed is an example of the most popular we offer; we can quote on alternative accommodation if required.'
Location: Located among the historical heritages of Istanbul, 500m away from the Grand Bazar and Suleymaniye Mosque.
Student Rooming: Max 4 bedded
Room Facilities: Ensuite, Telephone, TV
Location: Within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, Hotel Centrum Istanbul is close to Topkapi Palace
Student Rooming: Max triple bedded
Room Facilities: Ensuite, Satellite TV, Hair Dryers, Climate Control, Telephone, WiFi
Adaptable Say: Hotel Centrum can offer an authentic atmosphere featuring the characteristic styles from the 19th Century architecture, with great panoramic views
Location: The Hotel is located at the historical peninsula also known as "Old City" the ancient part of Istanbul and in a few minutes walking distance to major historical areas
Student Rooming: Max triple bedded
Room Facilities: Ensuite, Satellite TV, Hair Dryers and Climate Control
Adaptable Say: Ilkay is a comfortable, cozy hotel for a great budget! It is a great place to visit, and absolutely superb for historical excursions.
Sunlight Hotel, Tourist Class
Location: In the old city centre, away from the clamour of the city and close to main tourist attractions
Student Rooming: Max 4 bedded
Room Facilities: Ensuite, Satellite TV, Telephones, minibars, hair dryers and climate control
Adaptable Say: A good quality tourist class hotel
Destination Pack
To assist you with planning the most relevant and appropriate itinerary for your students, a Leisure & Learning
destination pack complete with a full excursion list including curriculum area recommendations will be sent with every quote.
Suggested itinerary for RS groups for school trips to Istanbul. Please note the following itinerary can be tailored for your group.
DAY 1
Depart the UK and fly to Istanbul
Transfer to your accommodation
Dinner and time to settle and explore the local area
DAY 2
Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to The Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque. Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica. Famous in particular for its massive dome. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Take time to walk and soak in the atmosphere that the mosque holds, both in history and present. We will enter the museum as well.
The Hippodrome, was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 A.D. It was a stadium which served as a meeting place for the politicians, for chariot races, wrestling, boxing, and other athletic activities that took place. Try to imagine werself in the grand arena. This is a great opportunity for we to understand the history of Turkey.
The Arasta Bazaar is located behind the Blue Mosque in the old city centre. Arasta Bazaar is a small and simple traditional market in Istanbul. There are about 40 shops lined on both sides of a street, selling traditional items. Originally this place was built in the 17th century and used to be stables. It suffered damage from many fires and left in ruins for a long period. In the eighties it was converted into shops, permitting the money from rents to be used in the restoration works of the Blue Mosque that we visited earlier.
Walk to The church of St Bacchus & Sergius from 600 AD now serves as mosque. The church was home to roman soiders who were here. The former church is located on the south side of Istanbul next to the Hippodrome.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Today it has over 3000 shops, 17 inns, 61, over 20thousand employees, 4 fountains, 10 wells, 2 mosques, several cafes and restaurants. Ensure we walk and talk through the streets and barter for a gift or to for home.
In the old Bookseller’s Bazaar find any kind of books for sale; school books, academic books, computer specialized and technical books, language books and publications about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.. Also old stamps and coins, decorated plates are for sale in small shops, filled up to the ceiling.
DAY 3
Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to the Spice Bazaar for exotic colours and smells through the ages, The Spice Bazaar is a must-experience for foodies visiting Istanbul. Also known as the Egyptian Market, this market dates back to 1664 and is the second-oldest covered shopping area in Istanbul. It's well-visited by tourists, and many of the vendors speak English.
Proceed to the mosque of Rustem Pasha to catch the unique blue of the Iznik tiles. Nowadays just a single original Iznik tile can fetch up to £80,000 at Sotheby's auctions. The Rustem Pasha mosque's interior is covered in them, from floor to ceiling.
At the waterfront of the Golden Horn we will attened a half hour boat ride on the Byzantine harbour where we will then picture the siege of Constantinople in 1453. One of the most important events in world history, the fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman. Seat back and enjoy history in real life.
Disembark at Galata and walk over the bridge of Galata along the fisherman of Istanbul. Galata was surrounded by walls, constructed by the Genoese, until the 19th century. The Galata Tower was the northernmost observation tower. Take the opportunity for the views of the whole city.
Embark on the Bosphorus Cruise Boat for 2 hours. Tea/Coffee available on board to buy from vendors we set out from the Eminönü ferryboat docks and head north toward the Black Sea.
Here are the sights we'll see. Divided into two parts, the Southern Bosphorus and the Northern Bosphorus. The most impressive sights are along the southern shores of the Bosphorus, nearest to the city. Beyond the Bosphorus Bridge there's plenty more to see: Beylerbeyi Palace, the village of Çengelköy, Kuleli Naval Academy and Bosphorus University.
DAY 4
Breakfast at hotel
Time at Leisure to may be do some shopping.
Depart and travel back to the UK
PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR PRICES BASED ON YOUR GROUP REQUIREMENTS
 |
To mark the official launch of our school ski trips division, Ski Adaptable, we are offering £10 off all <a...
|
 |
Adaptable Travel strongly believe that educational trips should be accessible to all, no matter what their...
|
|
Alternative Religious Studies Destinations
Alternative Subjects in Istanbul
|
