SOCIAL TOURS

PRE-CONGRESS ISTANBUL TOURS

TR - 01 Bosphorus Cruise and Ethnological Museum
After a short visit to the famous Egyptian spice bazaar, an unforgettable excursion starts between two continents, Europe and Asia. The cruise will take you along the shoreline, where you will be able to see palaces from the late Ottoman period, Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi, as well as beautiful 19th and 20th century wooden kiosks, mansions and modern villas. You will disembark at Sarıyer, near the mouth of the Black Sea. The trip includes a drive along the Bosphorus strait to the most interesting Ethnological Museum in Istanbul.

Tour Rate 70,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 02 Asian Istanbul Tour
Beylerbeyi Palace and Asian Istanbul Tour
You will go a pleasant drive to the Asian part of Istanbul across the intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge. The first stop will be at Çamlıca Hill, the highest point in İstanbul, for a panoramic view, followed by a short drive to a small village by the Bosphorus, called Beylerbeyi, to visit the 19th century summer palace of the sultans. After a full tour of this palace, including the harem, you will have the opportunity to shop in the village.

Tour Rate 65,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 03 Full Day Tour - 1

The Bosphorus Cruise and Asia Tour (TR-01  &  TR-02) combined.

Tour Rate 155,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 04 Imperial Tour
An introduction to the city's imperial history by driving around the Golden Horn and the great wall of Constantinople

St. Sophia: The magnificent Byzantine church, one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world. It has been nominated to be the 8th wonder of the world by many historians.
Blue Mosque: One of the largest mosques in Istanbul representing 17th Century architecture and one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. It is also famous for it is blue tiles and six minarets.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts: Former palace of İbrahim Pasha; today a museum where you can see the old Turkish way of life.
Hippodrome: The former center of sporting and political activities in Constantinople. During the visit you will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the fountain of Wilhelm.
Grand Bazaar: In addition to its historical significance, this bazaar will tempt even the non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather goods and souvenirs.

Tour Rate 72,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 05 Ottoman Wonders Tour
Topkapı Palace: The former imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled. Today a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and the very famous treasury of the Royal Family.
Süleymaniye Mosque: The Mosque of Sultan Süleyman "The Magnificient" built in the 16th Century by Sinan, the world famous architect of his time.
Golden Horn: Drive along the Golden Horn by the Roman walls and churches of the Byzantine period.

TR - 06 Full Day Tour - 2
The Imperial and Ottoman Wonders Tours (TR-04 & TR-05) combined.

Tour Rate 157,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 07 Life in Modern Istanbul
Catch a glimpse of life in modern Istanbul. Board a coach that takes you to Taksim Square, the heart of the European side of the city. Visit the Republic Memorial, where New Year and national celebrations are held. Enjoy the view of the beautiful turquoise waters of the Bosphorus, the winding strait in the city's heart that separates Europe and Asia. Make your way to Ortakoy, where the coexistence of a Muslim mosque, Jewish synagogue and Greek Orthodox Church for hundreds of years brings together a variety of people. In recent years, the town has become an arts and crafts center. As you drive along the coast of Tarabya, the coach takes you to the charming village of Bebek to see the beautiful old and modern residences of Istanbul. You might want to do some shopping when you visit the rows of sophisticated shops in Nisantasi. More shopping opportunities are provided in Akmerkez Mall, the biggest mall in the Middle East and regarded as one of the best in the region. In Etiler, view more of Istanbul's houses, bars and restaurants. And to cap the tour, take a leisurely stroll in Yildiz Park, the former Imperial Gardens of Yildiz Palace. Relax and enjoy some Turkish coffee in this secret garden in Istanbul.

Tour Rate 106,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

TR - 08 A Journey to the Past: A Day in the Old City
Istanbul has become the veritable center of modern Turkey but it continues to showcase its illustrious past from a time when it was still called Constantinople. See this curious blend of past and present as you take a walk in Taksim Square along Istiklal Street and pass the facades of historical buildings. As you walk down the main road, you will be surprised at the many seemingly hidden small passages along the way. Most of these passages have retained their architectural charm as part of the European quarter in the 19th century. You will stroll along one of these passages, the Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage). Continue walking to the St. Antoine Church, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. Further along the street is the Galata Tower. This Genoese construction rises 62 meters and, its top provides a panoramic view of the waters of the Bosphorus, the Marmara Sea, and the Halic. Named the Golden Horn for its horn - shaped estuary, the Halic divides European Istanbul. Lovely parks and promenades line the shores of this natural harbor. Continue your walk to the Pera Palas Hotel, a rococo - style building built in 1892 to host passengers of the Orient Express. Further along the Golden Horn, visit the Mosque of Eyup, dedicated to the memory of Prophet Mohammed's Standard Bearer Eyup Ensari. See beautiful examples of Iznic tiles at the Turbe (burial site) of Eyup. Atop the Pierre Loti hill overlooking the shrine, take in the breathtaking view of the Golden Horn. Then see the second largest of Istanbul's covered Byzantine cisterns, the Binbirdirek Cistern. Built in the 6th century, its 224 columns give it the capacity to hold 50,000 cubic meters of water. Take a coffee break while enjoying the tranquility of the view.

Tour Rate 100,00 € (Per person)
Available dates;  28 April to 08 May, 2008 everyday

** These tours will be organized if there is sufficient number of participants

POST CONGRESS TRIPS

TRP - 01 FULL DAY EPHESUS : The best preserved and restored ancient city in TURKEY: You will visit to EPHESUS which is known to be the Commercial, the Religious and the Social Center of Antiquity, and one of the Highlights of any Visit in Turkey. Ephesus is probably the best combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilisations. With the mithological stories and spectacular ruins you will feel the life in ancient Ephesus. You will visit the Fountains of Trajan, Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domition, Private House, the Library of Celcius, Varius and Scolasticia Baths, Bouloterion and the Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators. After enjoying the turkish cuisine at lunch, you will visit the Basilica of St John and the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent last days of her life; continue to The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Our next stop is the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus. Drop to Kusadasi or drive back to Izmir Airport.

Tour Rate 415,00 € (Per person, including flight tickets)
Departure date;  05 May, 2008

TRP - 02 ANTALYA
1st DAY
Arrival in Antalya, the unofficial capital of the "Turquoise Coast" of the Mediterranean. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight accommodation.

2nd DAY
After breakfast, full day excursion to the ancient Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. Then,
a visit to the Manavgat waterfalls and return to Antalya for dinner and overnight accommodation.

3rd DAY
Full day city tour; including the Hadrian’s Gate, the old harbor, the old City Walls, and the highly praised Antalya Archeological Museum. Then visit the Ancient city of Thermessos and Düden waterfalls cascading over a cliff into the Mediterranean.

4th DAY
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Istanbul.

Tour Rate 1.135,00 € (Per person, including flight tickets)
Departure  date;  05 May, 2008

TRP - 03 THREE DAY TOUR OF ANKARA & CAPPADOCIA
1st DAY - ISTANBUL - ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA
The program starts with a tour of Ankara. The first destination is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is located in a restored bazaar. The museum has a most unique and priceless collection, dating back to the prehistoric era. The Mausoleum of Atatürk is the next stop. This magnificent structure serves as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. Lunch will be taken in Ankara and the drive to Cappadocia will start after lunch. Dinner and hotel accommodation in Cappadocia.

2nd DAY - CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast will be served at the hotel and the full day tour of Cappadocia begins with the natural citadel of Uçhisar where you to get a panoramic view of the region. The trip continues with the Göreme valley which is the highlight of the day. This valley houses the Göreme Open Air Museum with it is churches hewn out of rock and the colorful frescoes which decorate them. The next stop is Zelve and the caves of this ancient village, continuing with the villages of Avanos and Çavuşin villages. Lunch will be served enroute at a typical regional restaurant. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at the hotel in Cappadocia.

3rd DAY - CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA - ISTANBUL
Breakfast will be served at the hotel and the morning visits will begin with the underground city of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu which are refuges carved out in the early Christian era as safe heavens from persecutors. Lunch will be taken on the way to Ankara.

Tour Rate 825,00 € (Per person)
Departure  date;  05 May, 2008

TRP - 04 ONE NIGHT AND TWO DAYS TOUR OF TROY AND ANZACS

1st DAY: Departure from Istanbul and drive to Gallipoli after lunch, a visit to the famous battlefield of the Anzacs during the World War I crossing the Dardanelles. Dinner and overnight accommodation near Troy (which is known as Assos, the ancient city).

2nd DAY: After breakfast, half day tour to the ancient city of Troy, famous for its Trojan Horse from the times of beautiful Helen and Paris. After lunch in Canakkale, take a ferry to Gallipoli and then drive back to Istanbul.

Tour Rate 520,00 € (Per person)
Departure  date;  05 May, 2008