During our photo trip, we will visit awe-inspiring palaces and mosques in the city. One of the most spectacular sights will be the Ottoman-era Dolmabahçe Palace. This opulent palace boasts one of the largest chandeliers in the world, winding crystal staircases, and rolling red carpets. Every inch of the place is adorned with gold – with the ceiling alone gilded with 14 tonnes of the precious metal.

The Topkapi Palace is a great example of the meeting of East and West. As you walk through its impressive gates, you’ll see two turrets jutting out of this fairytale fortress. Inside, you’ll find intricate mosaics, Arabic inscriptions and calligraphy, and a hidden harem for the royal sultan. One of the most photogenic sites in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, named for its 20,000 Iznik tiles in varying shades of blue that dazzle in the light. It’s like a sapphire version of Oz’s Wizard of Oz’s emerald palace on the city’s skyline.

One of Istanbul’s most renowned features is its impressive markets, which are perfect for street and people photography. Grand Bazaar, considered one of the world’s first-ever shopping malls, is a vast covered market that spans over 30,000 square meters. It contains thousands of stalls selling a wide range of goods, from carpets to ceramics, lanterns, and Turkish teas. Visitors can witness shopkeepers and customers haggling over both old and new treasures. The Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is named for its endless displays of multicolored pyramids of powdered spices and dried Istanbul Turkish delights.

After we’ve explored the bustling streets of modern Istanbul, we will descend into the depths of the 6th-century underground reservoir, the Basilica Cistern. As we tiptoe through the echoing chambers, this will be the perfect place to play with the eerie lighting and the rippling, watery reflections below. Within the fish-inhabited waters, slender marble columns rise, some engraved with Medusa heads, adding an ominous and mythical air to this aquatic underworld.

This 6-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art.

Join us for engaging discussions, meaningful connections, and inspiring moments. Istanbul, a city of grandeur, vastness, and rich history, will leave a lasting impression in your mind and on camera. Your photographic journey begins here!

During our photo trip, we will visit awe-inspiring palaces and mosques in the city. One of the most spectacular sights will be the Ottoman-era Dolmabahçe Palace. This opulent palace boasts one of the largest chandeliers in the world, winding crystal staircases, and rolling red carpets. Every inch of the place is adorned with gold – with the ceiling alone gilded with 14 tonnes of the precious metal.

The Topkapi Palace is a great example of the meeting of East and West. As you walk through its impressive gates, you’ll see two turrets jutting out of this fairytale fortress. Inside, you’ll find intricate mosaics, Arabic inscriptions and calligraphy, and a hidden harem for the royal sultan. One of the most photogenic sites in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, named for its 20,000 Iznik tiles in varying shades of blue that dazzle in the light. It’s like a sapphire version of Oz’s Wizard of Oz’s emerald palace on the city’s skyline.

One of Istanbul’s most renowned features is its impressive markets, which are perfect for street and people photography. Grand Bazaar, considered one of the world’s first-ever shopping malls, is a vast covered market that spans over 30,000 square meters. It contains thousands of stalls selling a wide range of goods, from carpets to ceramics, lanterns, and Turkish teas. Visitors can witness shopkeepers and customers haggling over both old and new treasures. The Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is named for its endless displays of multicolored pyramids of powdered spices and dried Istanbul Turkish delights.

After we’ve explored the bustling streets of modern Istanbul, we will descend into the depths of the 6th-century underground reservoir, the Basilica Cistern. As we tiptoe through the echoing chambers, this will be the perfect place to play with the eerie lighting and the rippling, watery reflections below. Within the fish-inhabited waters, slender marble columns rise, some engraved with Medusa heads, adding an ominous and mythical air to this aquatic underworld.

This 6-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art.

Join us for engaging discussions, meaningful connections, and inspiring moments. Istanbul, a city of grandeur, vastness, and rich history, will leave a lasting impression in your mind and on camera. Your photographic journey begins here!

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.