Istanbul of the Senses – love, seduction and power between Byzantium and the harem

Istanbul is also a city of passions: an emperor married an actress, a slave became the most powerful woman of the Ottoman Empire, and poets sang of love more openly than almost anywhere else. This tour tells the sensual, forbidden and romantic history of the city – stylish, well-founded and with a wink. An experience for couples and adult guests, with no shopping stops.

Highlights

• Theodora – from the stage of the Hippodrome to the imperial throne
• Procopius’ “Secret History”: the scandalous book about Justinian’s court
• The harem of Topkapı Palace – what really happened and what is Europe’s fantasy
• Hürrem and Süleyman: the great love story of the Ottoman Empire
• Hammam culture: beauty rituals, the bridal bath and the baths of Mimar Sinan
• Pera by night: Belle Époque, Levantines and love poetry on the Bosphorus

Full description

We begin at the Hippodrome, where young Theodora performed as a dancer and actress before Justinian even had a law changed so he could marry her. In Hagia Sophia we tell how she saved the throne during the Nika riots – and what the court historian Procopius secretly wrote about her. In Topkapı Palace we open the doors of the harem: a place of power, education and intrigue, far removed from the fantasies of European painters.

In the afternoon we follow Hürrem and Süleyman to the Süleymaniye, where both rest side by side, and hear the love poems the sultan wrote to her. In a historic hammam the theme is beauty rituals, fragrances and the bridal bath; in the Spice Bazaar it is spices, rose water and the legendary mesir paste. Finally, Pera shows the city of the Belle Époque – with stories of dancers, poets, salons and 19th-century nightlife. On request the day ends with a private boat trip at sunset.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• Hippodrome
  Theodora, the chariot races and the world of Byzantine theatre.
• Hagia Sophia
  Justinian and Theodora, the Nika riots and Procopius’ “Secret History”.
• Topkapı Palace, Harem
  Chambers of the Valide Sultan, the favourites and princes – power instead of cliché.
• Süleymaniye
  The tombs of Süleyman and Hürrem – the sultan’s love letters and poems.
• Historic hammam
  A bath by Mimar Sinan: beauty rituals, fragrances and the bridal bath. Your own hammam visit on request.
• Spice Bazaar
  Spices, rose water and mesir paste – the story of Ottoman aphrodisiacs, without a shopping stop.
• Pera and Galata
  Belle Époque, Levantines, dancers and poets – the nightlife of the 19th century.

Included

• 8 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more

Not included

• Entrance fees (e.g. Topkapı Palace and harem)
• Hammam visit and treatments
• Vehicle with driver (can be added)
• Private sunset boat trip (can be added, 2 hrs, €300)
• Food, drinks, personal expenses and tips

Meeting point

Meeting point at your hotel in the old town, at the Galataport cruise terminal or at an agreed spot. Hotel pick-up by vehicle can be added.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

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Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• 18+ only – The tour covers love, sensuality and eroticism in history and literature: cultural-historical, stylish and without any offensive programme items.
• Clothing – In mosques shoulders and knees covered, women with a headscarf.
• Hammam – Historic baths are usually separated for women and men. Please state in the form if you would like a shared private area.