| Tour # 1M |
Orientation Tour of Istanbul |
| Date: |
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 (09:00 - 12:30 hrs) |
| Price: |
Free for registered accompanying persons/ No need to show up at the registration desk to take part in this tour; a copy of your registration confirmation is sufficient. |
This tour has been planned to orient the accompanying persons with the sights of Istanbul. Drive through the shopping streets of the new parts of the city and pass across the bridge on the Golden Horn to arrive at the old part of the city. Pass beneath the Aqueduct of Valens to the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Drive to view the Byzantine city walls. Refreshments will be served in a garden by the sea.
| Tour # 2M |
Historical Peninsula & the Byzantine Art |
| Date: |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 (09:00 - 12:30 hrs) |
| Price: |
40 Euro per person |
The basilica of St. Sophia, now called Ayasofya Museum, a masterpiece of architecture, was built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian will be the first stop of our tour. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics as well as the Islamic artifacts added by the Ottomans after the 15th century. See the Hippodrome with the German Fountain, the Egyptian Obelisk and the Twisted Column. Near St. Sophia is the 6th century Underground Cistern, known as the Yerebatan Sarayı, which supplied water to the city in the Byzantine era and the Grand Covered Bazaar will be the last stops of this tour. (Please, consult your guide for shopping possibilities.)
| Tour # 3A |
Ottoman Art & Lifestyle |
| Date: |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 (13:00 - 17:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
45 Euro per person |
 Visit the Topkapı Palace, Imperial Residence of the Ottoman Sultans for five centuries, now as a Museum exhibiting the sacred Islamic relics, one of the richest collections of Chinese & Japanese porcelain, calligraphy sections. The highlight of the tour will be the Treasury section with the spoon maker's diamond, the emerald dagger, the throne embossed with pearls and other precious art objects. See the Sultan Ahmet mosque, famous for its 17th century blue Iznik tiles. The Grand Covered Bazaar will be the last stop of this tour. (Please, consult your guide for shopping possibilities.)
| Tour # 4F |
Highlights of Istanbul |
| Date: |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 (09:00 - 17:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
70 Euro per person (inclusive of lunch) |
This tour is a combination of Tour # 2M and Tour # 3A with lunch at traditional Konyalı Restaurant within the grounds of Topkapı Palace.
| Tour # 5N |
Dinner Cruise on the Bosporus |
| Date: |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 (19:00 - 22:30 hrs) |
| Price: |
65 Euro per person (inclusive of dinner with wine) |
 An enchanting evening cruise will start from the pier of Kabataş, while you sip your drink as the sun sets on Istanbul. Glide past the Dolmabahçe Palace, the last residence of the sultans, and the Çırağan Palace on the European shore and the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Anatolian Fortress on the Asian shore. Pass beneath the intercontinental Bosporus Bridge and cruise northwards up to the entrance of the Black Sea. See the historical sea front residences, the so-called yali's, and a very special cross-section of Istanbul's outdoor life in summer. A rich choice of specialties from Turkish cuisine and local wines will be offered from the buffet during this tour. Return to hotel.
| Tour # 6F |
Istanbul, the Meeting Point of Religions and Arts |
| Date: |
Thursday, August 30, 2007 (09:00 - 15:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
70 Euro per person (inclusive of lunch) |
 Visit the Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar) and next to it the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, famous for its colorful 16th century İznik tiles. Visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate; outside view of the interesting Bulgarian church of St. Stephen; the 11th century church of St. Savior in Chora, now the Kariye Museum, housing fine examples of Byzantine mosaics & frescoes depicting scenes from the Holy Bible. Lunch will be served in the Asitane Restaurant, recognized for its refined Ottoman cuisine. After lunch, drive uphill to Pierre Loti Café from where you will have a nice view onto the Golden Horn and the historical peninsula. (Please, consult your guide for shopping possibilities).
| Tour # 7F |
Princes' Islands - A Relaxing Tour |
| Date: |
Thursday, August 30, 2007 (09:00 - 17:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
70 Euro per person (inclusive of lunch) |
45 Minutes cruise on the Marmara Sea to the Princes' Islands and disembark at Büyükada, the biggest of 9 islands, once the prison and then the pleasure island of the Byzantine princes. Tour the island by horse drawn carriages, the only vehicle allowed on the islands. Lunch will be served in a local sea food restaurant. Swimming and sun bathing possibilities are available. Return by boat to Bostanci and then drive through Bagdat Street, the most popular residential & shopping area of the Asian part of İstanbul.
| Tour # 8M |
Old Istanbul Tour |
| Date: |
Friday, August 31, 2007 (09:00 - 12:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
25 Euro per person |
 Drive through the shopping streets of the new parts of the city and pass across the bridge on the Golden Horn to arrive at the old city. Visit the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, built in 1550 by the master architect Sinan. This mosque was part of a huge complex of scholastic and religious charity buildings and is one of the most impressive works of the classical period giving a distinctive touch to Istanbul's skyline. Then stop and walk through the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) consisting of small shops each one with treasures of exotic smells. (Please, consult your guide for shopping possibilities).
| Tour # 9A |
Traditional Turkish Bath |
| Date: |
Friday, August 31, 2007 (14:00 - 17:00 hrs) |
| Price: |
60 Euro per person |
 One of the truly not-to-miss experiences of a trip to Turkey is a visit to traditional Turkish bath, the hamam. You will see the Çemberlitaş Bath, built by the great architect Sinan in 1584 and still in public use. www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr.
Like the harem, this Roman and Byzantine tradition was adopted and then perfected by the Seldjuk Turks, for whom the public bath took on an important role. It was not merely a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness, but an important spot to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women would proceed from their harem to the hamam with great ceremony, accompanied by servants heavily-laden with delicacies to tide the ladies over the hours they would spend lounging in the steam. The young women used this opportunity to show off their ornately embroidered towels and ivory inlaid slippers, not to mention their youthful figures, while older women would spot potential wives for their sons. Men would discuss the latest court scandal or talk business and politics. Contrary to popular ideas, hamams have always been either permanently designated for one of the sexes, or have a separate schedule for men and women. Refreshments will be served.
| Tour # 10N |
Fun Night |
| Date: |
Friday, August 31, 2007 (19:30 - 22:30) |
| Price: |
60 Euro per person |
During the days of the Roman, Byzantine and later Ottoman Empires, the city of Istanbul was surrounded by walls and on these walls there were city gates which were closed at night. These gates were named after the districts they were in. One of these gates was at Kumkapı (kapı = gate in Turkish). After the republic was declared these gates were not used any more.
Kumkapı, being near the Sea of Marmara, was very famous for its fresh and abundant sea food. Some years later, taverns and small restaurants opened here, music was added for fun. Nowadays, this district is a favorite place for good food, wine & entertainment.
Don't miss this opportunity, if you want to enjoy a typical night of Istanbul, listening to the Gypsy musicians strolling between the tables, tasting local wines and a rich choice of sea food! (Casual wear recommended.) Return to hotel.
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