ISOCS-26
DAILY TOURS FOR PARTICIPANTS AND SPOUSES*
IMPERIAL TOUR*
Departure: 24.08.2014
Departure Time: 12:30 – 17:30
Duration: 5-6 Hours (depending on city traffic)
Introduction to the city’s imperial history begins with a driveby the old city walls of Istanbul followed by a visit to:
St.Sophia: The magnificent Byzantine Church; one of the finest architectural works in the world. It has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by many historians.
Underground Cistern (TheBasilica Cistern): The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisternsthat lies beneath the city ofIstanbul(formerly Constantinople). The cistern is located 500 feet (150m) southwest of theHagia Sophiaon the historical peninsula ofSarayburnu and was built in the 6th century during the reign ofByzantineEmperor Justinian.
Little St. Sophia Mosque (Little Hagia Sophia Church): Little St. Sophia Church is a formerEastern Orthodoxchurchdedicated toSaints Sergius and BacchusinConstantinople, converted into amosque during theOttoman Empire. ThisByzantinebuilding with a central dome plan was erected in the sixth century byJustinian. It was likely a model forHagia Sophia(St. Sophia) and is one of the most important early Byzantine buildings in Istanbul. It was recognized at the time as an adornment to the entire city and a modern historian of the East Roman Empire and it was written that the church, "by the originality of its architecture and the sumptuousness of its carved decoration, ranks in Constantinople second only to St. Sophia itself"
Istanbul City Walls and Golden Horn :A drive along the Golden Horn by theWalls of Constantinoplewe will see a series ofdefensive stone wallsthat have surrounded and protected the city ofConstantinople(Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman EmpirebyConstantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last greatfortificationsystem of antiquity and one of the most complex and elaborate defense systems ever built.
*Price: € 40 /Per Person
Included: Transportation, English speaking guide and Museum Entrance Fees.
OTTOMAN RELİCS*
Departure: 25.08.2014
Departure time: 10:00 – 17:30
Duration: FULL DAY TOUR: 7-8 hours (Depending on city traffic)
Of the sixteen empires founded by the Turks, the Ottoman Empire was the longest lasting and the largest. It lasted for 622 years ruling over Asia, Europe and African lands surrounding the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
TopkapiPalace: is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day.A museum since 1924 it is situated on the acropolis, the site of the first settlement in Istanbul.
It commands amajestic and impressive view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The palace is a complex surrounded by 5 km of walls and occupies an area of 700,000 sq. m at the tip of the historical peninsula.
Topkapı is a classical example of Turkish palace architecture. It consists of tree- shaded courtyards, each serving a different purpose and opening onto one another with monumental gates. Our visit will take in the wonders of the Sultans including the impressive treasury, weapons and the Harem, home to the sultans many wives, concubines and eunuchs.
Istanbul Archeological Museum
Our tour will take us to theIstanbul Archaeology Museum, established by the famous artist Osman HamdiBeyat the end of the 19th century and opened to the public in 1891. We will hear of its importance as the “first Turkish museum” and one of the largest in the world. We will seesome of the million or so outstanding works from world cultures and the collection of important works from various civilizations of the Ottoman Empire.
The Grand Bazaar and The Egyptian Bazaar:
One of the largest and oldestcovered marketin the world, its construction started in 1455/56, shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. The Grand Bazaar has 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shopswhich attractover 400,000 visitors daily. Our visit will take in the wonders, sights, sounds, smells and delights of this ancient market. We will also visit the Egyptian Bazaarthe spice,dried fruit and herb market of the sultans.
Rüstem Pasa Mosque
Our tour will take us toTheRüstem Pasha Mosqueby the Golden Horn and one of the city's architectural gems. The first example of the great Ottoman architect,MimarSinan’sbuilding to an octagonal plan.Although small, it is beautifully proportioned and the interior is covered in some of the mostexquisite İznık tilesever produced.
The story of Rüstem Pasha(1500-1561), a Bosnian by birth is most intriguing, involving political plotting and the death of the rightful heir to the Ottoman dynasty.
*Price :€55 /Per Person
Included: Transportation, English speaking guide and Museum Entrance Fees.
FROM EUROPE TO ASIA TOUR *
Departure: 26.08.2014
Departure time: 10:00 – 18:00
Duration: 7-8 hours (Depending on city traffic)
We will cross the Bosporus Bridge to drive to Asia, after passing the bridge our first stop will be;
Beylerbeyi Palace:
Beylerbeyi Palace was thought to have been a summer resort for the Ottoman sultans and a place to host foreign state leaders. It was built upon the request of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876), the construction of the palace began on 6 August 1863 and it was opened on 21stApril 1865 with a grand ceremony.
Beylerbeyi Palace, constructed with a mixture of Western and Eastern influences as well as the style oftraditional Turkish house withits Harem and Mabeyn.
The first important guest to be hosted in Beylerbeyi Palace was Empress Eugene (the Empress of France). Her visit was in response to an earlier visit of Sultan Abdülaziz to France in 1867. The Beylerbeyi Palace has also welcomed other foreign guests during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. These were; Austria Hungarian emperor Joseph (1869), Prussia crown prince Frederic Guillaume Nicola Charles (1869), Italian crown prince (1869), Iranian Shah Nasıreddin (18 August 1873); during reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909)
Camlica Hill
Çamlıca Hill offers a uniquely pleasant retreat with its fresh air and its pavilions. In many poems and works of literature, Istanbul is known for its seven hills,Çamlıcais the tallest of the seven.Çamlıca Hill, The most beautiful view in the entire city can be viewed from this hill. Among the many locations visible from Çamlıca are thePrince Islands,Sultanahmet,SüleymaniyeandOrtaköy. You will see that the view certainly does justice to the beautiful silhouette of Istanbul.
Following the visit to Camlica Hill we will drive to Kadiköy.
Kadiköyhas developed into a lively area with up-market shopping, eating and entertainment making it popular especially with wealthy locals.
Once prominent in the history of Christianity, the 5th century hosted important consul meetings here.
We will have a lunch break and an opportunity to shop for local herbs and spices in Kadiköy market.Following some hours in Kadiköywe will drive through the Costal street (Sahilyolu) and visit Fenerbahçe, here we will have time for refreshments inthe elegant café’s. We will then drive to Caddebostan, Bostancı and Bagdatcaddesi which is the main street of the residential area. A Streetfull of shopping malls, Restaurants, coffee shops, Luxury goods, Banks and muchmore. The street calledBagdatcaddesi is also a great place for window shopping!
*Price: €45 /Per Person
Included: Transportation English speaking guide and Museum Entrance Fees.
THE OTTOMAN WONDERS *
Departure : 27.08.2014
Departure Time: 13:30 – 6:00
Duration : 5-6 Hours (depending on city traffic)
Hippodrome: Our visit will take us to the site of thesporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. The first Hippodrome was built when the city was calledByzantium and was a provincial town of moderate importance. In AD 203 the Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and expanded itswalls endowing it with a hippodrome, an arena for chariot races and other entertainment. Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome was the centre of the city's social life and a place for political intrigue and rivalry.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque:Popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the 20,000 handmade blue (Iznik) style ceramic tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
Built from 1609 to 1616, byAhmed I to reassert Ottoman power and built on the site of the palace of the Byzantine emperors, in front of the basilicaAyasofya(at that time, the primary imperial mosque in Istanbul) and the hippodrome, a site of significant symbolic importance. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has one main dome, six minarets, and eight secondary domesand is considered to be the last great mosque of theclassical period. The architect,SedefkârMehmedAğa, synthesized the ideas of his masterSinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendor.
The City Walls:
The walls of Constantinople are one of the best defensive stone fortifications of antiquity. It surrounded and protected the city and is a magnificent site to behold.
‘I have never beheld a work of nature or art which yielded an impression like the prospect on each side of the Seven Towers to the end of the Golden Horn.’LordByron
Circling around the historic peninsula from the Golden Horn to the Marmara Sea, the Theodosian walls of Istanbul have captivated travelers approaching Istanbul for centuries. You too will be impressed with this incredible structure.
Price: FREE for all Participants and Registered Sponsors: Unregistered Sponsors please see desk.
Included: Transportation and English speaking guide.
ANCIENT TOWERS & HEART OF THE CITY TOUR*
Departure: 28.08.2014
Departure Time: 09:30 – 1:30
Duration: 5-6 hours (Depending on city traffic)
Galata Tower:It is claimed that the Towerwas built during the reign of the Byzantian Emperor, Iustinianos in 507 CE. It was called the ChristeaTurris (Tower of Christ) by the Genoese and the MegalosPyrgos (The Great Tower) by the Byzantines. It took its present shape during the Genoese period. Over the centuries it has been used for different purposes, as a jail,as an observatory, as a janissary band office and as a fire observatory. Today, the Galata Tower is operated solely as a touristic attraction by a private company. The elevator only goes to the 7th floor, and the last two floors are only accessible by stairs.
Pera (Beyoglu&Galata walk)
Followingourvisit to the Galata Tower we will take a stroll through the Pera (Beyoglu) &Galata districts of Istanbul. Galata was on the north shore of the Golden Horn, a semi-independent colony of the Genoese, an Italian marine-state.
We will walk along the pedestrian street, formerly known as the Grand Rue de Pera (IstiklalCaddesi). Today it is in the heart of the city and one of the centers of city’s cultural life with its various art galleries,cafes, restaurants, shops, and cinemas. Here we will visit the CicekPasaji (Flower Passage),so named as it wasused as a Passage for flowers. It is the liveliest and most colourful spot in Beyoglu and is lined with meyhanes and taverns.
The BeyogluBalikPazari (Fish Market) is nearby and is packed with food shops and delis for your enjoyment.
The Maiden’s Tower:
Welcome to one of the most iconic symbols of Istanbul.It is built on an island in the Bosphorus. The history of this small tower dates back to 2500 years to the period of the Byzantine and The Ottoman Empire and it has a most interesting tale your guide will no doubt share with you!
*Price: €40 /Per Person
Included: Transportation, English speaking guide and Museum Entrance Fees.
PRINCES ISLAND TOUR*
Departure: 29.08.2014
Departure Time: 09:30 – 6:30
Duration: 8-9 hours (Depending on city traffic)
An exciting visit to one of the most famous of the Princes Islands with an interesting history and a tourwith horse drawn carriages and houses stood still in time.
You will meet with your guide in front of the Conference center:
The mini bus/coach will drive you tothe embarking point where youwill board the boat and sail to the one of the Princes’ Islands.
You will embark at Büyükada, which is the largest and the most famous of these islands.
Our tour of the Island will begin with ashort historical tour of the town Centre itself. Following this we will then rent aHorse drawn carriage (included in your price) to explore this beautiful island by Phaeton.
During our journey we will pass by the old Ottoman wooden houses, taking in the breathtaking beautiful pine forests surrounding them.
Following the horse and carriage ride we will take a long climb to up to the highest point of the Island to visit Buyukada's major monument, the Monastery and Church of AghiosGheorghios (St. George), the first church on the Island was built in the sixth century and well worth the long walk up the hill.
The legend says that the icon of St. George hidden by the monks in the 10th century during a pirate raid was found in the 17th century by a shepherd. The current church dates from the 20th century. This vantage point will welcome you with the most impressive panoramic views difficult to find elsewhere. Ideal for that once in a life time photograph!
Followed by FREE TIME for lunch (not in price), in any of the many lovely seaside restaurants back at the town centre of the Island, the choice is yours.
The uniqueness of this Island is that cars are forbidden and so quite unusual for Istanbul you will hardly hear any car noises! This tour is highly recommended and will be a lovely memory for years to come.
*Price :€50 /Per Person
Included : Transportation, English speaking guide and Horse drawn carriage for the tour of the Island
*Please note: ALL Tours are quoted based on minimum participation of 6 persons and once booked no refunds will be issued.
All tours are highly recommended and should be booked in advance