Take a tour of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly referred to as the Blue Mosque, and marvel at the blue tiles accentuating its interior, which gave the mosque its iconic name. The astounding architecture of the mosque is best viewable from the nearby Hippodrome, an ancient stadium from Byzantine times. Shop till you drop at the Grand Bazaar, touted as one of the world’s largest indoor marketplaces specifically known for its fine jewelry and pottery. Afterwards, enjoy a lunch break in a traditional Turkish eatery. Spend the remainder of the day visiting renowned sites of Byzantine and Ottoman remnants, where your guide, fluent in English, will enthrall you with intriguing facts and tales. Make a stop at the Topkapi Palace, reported to be the oldest and biggest palace globally, and the Sultan Tombs within Hagia Sophia, quaint structures resembling tiny mosques and housing the opulently-decorated resting places of five sultans along with their families.