Association Amis de l’opera Monte-Carlo
Trip to Istanbul
22 May. 2026
Voyage
Istanbul
RESUME
Friends of the Opera trip from May 22nd to 27th 2026
Friday, May 22nd
Flights must be booked individually, but here is what seems to be the best option from Nice: departure at 10:40 a.m., arrival at 2:45 p.m. on Turkish Airlines (direct).
Transfer to the Ciragan Palace Kempinski located on the Bosphorus and welcome dinner.
Saturday, May 23rd
Topkapi Palace and its Harem
Step into the opulent world of the Ottoman sultans at the Topkapi Palace Museum, one of Istanbul's finest museums. This grand complex, adorned with beautiful landscaped courtyards and exquisite Iznik tiles, was the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
Free time for lunch and afternoon
Evening: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti at the Ataturk Cultural Center (the Opera House on the European side), directed by Jean-Louis Grinda
Dinner and return to the hotel
Sunday, May 24th
Tour of Byzantine and Ottoman treasures
Saint Sophia With its colossal dome and intricate mosaics, it is a magnificent testament to Istanbul's Byzantine era. This architectural marvel has served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and a mosque. Today, it is a museum that showcases a captivating blend of Christian and Islamic art and is one of Istanbul's top attractions. Then visit the Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul's underground wonders. The itinerary then leads to the Archaeological Museum, where exceptional artifacts from several civilizations are preserved.
End of visits around 5 p.m.
Evening: dinner
Monday, May 25th
The Golden Horn, between heritage and rebirth
In the heart of Istanbul lies a natural harbor sheltered from the winds since ancient times: the Golden Horn. Over the centuries, its neighborhoods have welcomed a mosaic of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
The tour begins on Pierre Loti Hill, where an iconic café offers remarkable views of the estuary. We then descend to Eyüp, where the tour continues at the Church of Saint Savior in Chora, converted into a mosque in 2020. Its museum section still preserves some of the most beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. We then walk along the Byzantine walls to reach the Fener and Balat districts, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Formerly home to the Greek and Jewish communities, today they charm visitors with their colorful facades and the unique atmosphere of their cobbled streets.
The day ends with a ferry ride along the Golden Horn to Karaköy and Galata. Once a Genoese trading post and financial center of the Ottoman Empire, these cosmopolitan neighborhoods have a rich community history and are now the cultural and creative heart of Istanbul.
End of visits around 5 p.m.
Evening: dinner
Tuesday, May 26th
In the footsteps of Sinan
Born near Kayseri at the end of the 15th century, Sinan is considered the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire. Exploring Istanbul in the footsteps of this imperial genius means admiring some of the city's most beautiful achievements, such as the Süleymaniye and Rüstem Pasha mosques, and continuing the experience in the enchanting atmosphere of the spice market, bursting with colors and fragrances.
Free time for lunch and afternoon
Evening: Whirling Dervishes dance ceremony and dinner
Wednesday, May 27th
Check out and departure from Istanbul (to be booked individually: departure at 4:15 p.m. for Nice, arrival at 6:20 p.m.)
PRICE: €3,500 per person in a double room (+ €1,000 for a room occupied by one person) / €3,750 for a room with a view of the Bosphorus (+ €1,225 for a room occupied by one person) Includes five nights' accommodation with breakfast at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, transfers, show tickets, dinners, and tours.
Document (3.31 Mo)
Friday, May 22nd
Flights must be booked individually, but here is what seems to be the best option from Nice: departure at 10:40 a.m., arrival at 2:45 p.m. on Turkish Airlines (direct).
Transfer to the Ciragan Palace Kempinski located on the Bosphorus and welcome dinner.
Saturday, May 23rd
Topkapi Palace and its Harem
Step into the opulent world of the Ottoman sultans at the Topkapi Palace Museum, one of Istanbul's finest museums. This grand complex, adorned with beautiful landscaped courtyards and exquisite Iznik tiles, was the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
Free time for lunch and afternoon
Evening: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti at the Ataturk Cultural Center (the Opera House on the European side), directed by Jean-Louis Grinda
Dinner and return to the hotel
Sunday, May 24th
Tour of Byzantine and Ottoman treasures
Saint Sophia With its colossal dome and intricate mosaics, it is a magnificent testament to Istanbul's Byzantine era. This architectural marvel has served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and a mosque. Today, it is a museum that showcases a captivating blend of Christian and Islamic art and is one of Istanbul's top attractions. Then visit the Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul's underground wonders. The itinerary then leads to the Archaeological Museum, where exceptional artifacts from several civilizations are preserved.
End of visits around 5 p.m.
Evening: dinner
Monday, May 25th
The Golden Horn, between heritage and rebirth
In the heart of Istanbul lies a natural harbor sheltered from the winds since ancient times: the Golden Horn. Over the centuries, its neighborhoods have welcomed a mosaic of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
The tour begins on Pierre Loti Hill, where an iconic café offers remarkable views of the estuary. We then descend to Eyüp, where the tour continues at the Church of Saint Savior in Chora, converted into a mosque in 2020. Its museum section still preserves some of the most beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. We then walk along the Byzantine walls to reach the Fener and Balat districts, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Formerly home to the Greek and Jewish communities, today they charm visitors with their colorful facades and the unique atmosphere of their cobbled streets.
The day ends with a ferry ride along the Golden Horn to Karaköy and Galata. Once a Genoese trading post and financial center of the Ottoman Empire, these cosmopolitan neighborhoods have a rich community history and are now the cultural and creative heart of Istanbul.
End of visits around 5 p.m.
Evening: dinner
Tuesday, May 26th
In the footsteps of Sinan
Born near Kayseri at the end of the 15th century, Sinan is considered the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire. Exploring Istanbul in the footsteps of this imperial genius means admiring some of the city's most beautiful achievements, such as the Süleymaniye and Rüstem Pasha mosques, and continuing the experience in the enchanting atmosphere of the spice market, bursting with colors and fragrances.
Free time for lunch and afternoon
Evening: Whirling Dervishes dance ceremony and dinner
Wednesday, May 27th
Check out and departure from Istanbul (to be booked individually: departure at 4:15 p.m. for Nice, arrival at 6:20 p.m.)
PRICE: €3,500 per person in a double room (+ €1,000 for a room occupied by one person) / €3,750 for a room with a view of the Bosphorus (+ €1,225 for a room occupied by one person) Includes five nights' accommodation with breakfast at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, transfers, show tickets, dinners, and tours.