SOCIAL TOURS AND SIGHTSEEING

A range of social tours will be offered for participating delegates and accompanying persons.

12th of May ST 1- TROY & GALLIPOLI (ANZACS) 
8th of May ST 2- BOSPHORUS CRUISE ON PRIVATE BOAT / HALF DAY AFTERNOON -CANCELLED
9th of May ST 3- ISTANBUL CLASSICS / HALF DAY AFTERNOON
9th of May ST 4- ISTANBUL CLASSICS / FULL DAY TOUR - CANCELLED
5th of May or 12th of May ST 5- PRINCE’S ISLANDS - CANCELLED
  12-15 of May ST 6- CAPPADOCIA - CANCELLED  
  12-13 of May ST 7- EPHESUS & PAMUKKALE - CANCELLED  

ST 1- TROY & GALLIPOLI (ANZACS)

Early morning drive to Gallipoli, famous battlefield, Anzac Cove, War Cemeteries (Beach Cemetery, Quinn’ s Post, The Nek) and the Anzac Memorials (Lone Pine - Australian Memorial, Conk Bayırı - New Zealand Memorial, Hellespont - English Memorial) of the naval battle (18 March 1915) during the World War I.

Ferry across Dardanelles. We’ll see the maquette Trojan Horse used in the famous movie “Troy” before lunch at Çanakkale. Visit to the ancient city of Troy, famous with the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of Beautiful Helen, the Queen of Sparta and Paris, the Trojan Prince.

Dinner on the way and late evening return to İstanbul.

Date: 5th of May or 12th of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Departure and Arrival Time: 5:00 AM – 00:00 AM
Fee: 150 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 10


ST 2- BOSPHORUS CRUISE ON PRIVATE BOAT / HALF DAY AFTERNOON

Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen

The Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.

Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.

Bosphorus Cruise on our private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.

Rumeli Fortress (from the boat - no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.

Also visioned during the tour:

● IMPERIAL GARDENS OF ROYAL YILDIZ PALACE
● BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents
● BEYLERBEYİ PALACE from the boat
● THIS TOUR TERMINATES AT TAKSİM SQUARE

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Bosphorus Tours are practiced with regular boat if minimum number of attendants is not provided for the private boat.

Date: 8th of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Registration Area Departure and Arrival Time: 13:30 PM – 18:00 PM
Fee: 50 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 20


ST 3- ISTANBUL CLASSICS / HALF DAY AFTERNOON

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.

Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir.

(Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)

Date: 9th of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Registration Area Departure and Arrival Time: 13:30 PM – 17:00 PM
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 20


ST 4- ISTANBUL CLASSICS / FULL DAY CITY TOUR FOR ACCOMPANY PERSON

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city.

Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome. Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir.

(Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)

Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.

Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program)

Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.

Also visioned during the tour:

  • GALATA BRIDGE
  • GOLDEN HORN
  • LEANDER’S TOWER

This tour ends approximately at 17:00

Date: 9th of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC Registration Area
Departure and Arrival Time: 09:30 AM – 17:00 PM
Fee: 100 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 20


ST 5- PRINCE’S ISLANDS

Cruise in the Marmara Sea to Princes' Islands by boat. Stop at Büyükada, the popular summer resort with pinewood scenery and wooden mansions, once the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes.

Tour of the island by horse-drawn carriages before lunch at a fish restaurant.

Evening return to İstanbul and transfer to hotels.

Also visioned during the tour from the boat:

  • TOPKAPI PALACE
  • MAIDEN’ S TOWER
  • ÜSKÜDAR

Date: 5th of May or 12th of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Registration Area Departure and Arrival Time: 09:00 AM – 18:00 PM
Fee: 60 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 2


T 6- CAPPADOCIA

Famous for its unique rock formations and amazing hot air ballooning opportunities, the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia are one of Turkey’s most popular natural wonders. Unusual honeycombed boulders rise from the plateau of Central Anatolia and have, over the centuries, served as the backdrop for a history equally as fascinating. The region was once the heartland of the Hittite Empire and later gave rise to some of Christianity’s earliest philosophers.

Early morning flight to Kayseri/Nevşehir.



Day 1 Walk through the “Fairy Chimneys” in Devrent Valley, Paşabağ (Monks’) Valley, practice pottery production with the ancient technique in Avanos. Visit to Göreme, the "open-air museum“ holding the earliest churches and chapels carved in fairy chimneys presenting finest examples of frescoes. Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 2 Panoramic view of the Hospital Monastery. Walk into the “wonderland” at Kızılçukur.

(Red Valley) and the village of Çavuşin with rock-cut dwellings. Underground City of Kaymaklı, rock-cut city beneath the earth up to 8-9 levels where early Christians used to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecution. Explore the rock formations in Çatalkaya.

A fantastic overview of the fairy chimneys from Esentepe. Pigeon Valley, greatest collection of pigeon nests in the world. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 3 Derinkuyu Underground City, walk through the amazing Ihlara Valley. Lunch at Belisırma.

Visit to the monasteries at Yaprakhisar and Selime.

Evening flight from Kayseri/Nevşehir to İstanbul.

STANDARD BALLOON TOUR (1 hour/capacity of the balloon is max. 20 people): € 160.- / pax  

Date: 12-15 of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Departure and Arrival Time: 04:30 AM – 23:00 PM
Fee in a Single Room: 800 €
Fee in a Double Room (Per Pax): 720 €
Fee in a Triple Room (Per Pax): 700 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 5


ST 7- EPHESUS & PAMUKKALE

Early morning flight to İzmir, birthplace of Homer and departure for Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the classical Greek period. Ephesus was also one of the “Seven Churches of Anatolia (Asia)” that are cited in the Book of Revelation.

Visit to the old Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, Marble Street, Odeon, Bouleterion, Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, Agora, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Double Church, Arcadian Way, Gate of Magnesia.

Last abode of Virgin Mary at Mount Solmissos and lunch at Selçuk. Visit to İsabey Mosque, one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art remaining from Anat.

After half board accommodation in 4* hotel in Kuşadası, drive to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), a beautiful and spectacular natural site near Denizli, unique in the world. Thermal spring waters have carved this fantastic formation of stalactites. Thermal waters have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Situated on the plateau are both the thermal center with its motels, thermal pools and ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Monument on this site includes the ancient thermal baths which have been restored and converted into an archaeological museum.

Return to İzmir for evening flight to İstanbul.

Date: 12-13 of May
Departure and Arrival Point: ICC
Departure and Arrival Time: 04:30 AM – 23:00 PM
Fee in a Single Room: 750 €
Fee in a Double Room (Per Pax): 670 €
Fee in a Triple Room (Per Pax): 650 €
Minimum Number of Attenndees to Organize the Tour: 5