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HALF DAY TOUR PROGRAM FOR ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS

DATE                            : JUNE 25, 2010

DEPARTURE TIME        : 14.30 - 19.00

MEETING POINT          : SWISS HOTEL, LOBBY

TOPKAPI PALACE
http://www.bibleplaces.com/images/Topkapi_palace_entrance,_tb_n122800.jpgThe Topkapı Palace has been the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Its design, initially devised by Sultan Mehmed himself and then enhanced by Sinan, hides clues of the rituals of the structure of Ottoman hierarchy and the running of state affairs.Home to the imperial treasury and the cabinet, as well as being the site of the barracks for the Janissaries, the elite of the army, every corner of the palace tells about the splendor of the Ottomans.

Apart from the priceless treasury, a distinguished collection of Chinese porcelains, holy relics, sultan’s costumes and imperial weaponry are exhibited in different sections of the palace.

HIPPODROME

http://www.iconofile.com/events/images/hippodrome.jpgThe Hippodrome has been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Roman capital; as well as very important political center for politics, as sports and politics were closely knitted up at these times. No wonder that the Hippodrome has been a starting point for revolts and political movements throughout the history. Echoes of cries by slaves riding chariots in ferocious races; and the passionate words of intellectuals and poets that lit the flame of public movements are still reminiscent, to those with a powerful imagination.

 

AYASOFYA / THE HAGHIA SOPHIA

http://akpartikulturvesanat.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/istanbul20ayasofya20muzesi.jpgThe “Shrine of Holy Wisdom”, the marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century Marks the true beginning of the golden age of Justinianus, the conqueror of Africa and Italy, who achieved lasting fame through the complete revision of all Roman law, resulting in what is known today as the Corpus Juris Civilis.

The domed construction of the sanctuary is an architectural innovation; and was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!”. Mankind would have to wait for over a millennia before being able to built a cathedral that would surpass the gigantic size of Haghia Sophia. It was converted to a Mosque following the Ottoman conquest of the city, by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453; as the young Sultan fulfilled a divine premonition by the Holy Prophet Mohammad himself. In 1935 the building was converted to a museum, by the executive order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

 

SULTAN AHMET CAMII / THE BLUE MOSQUE

http://www.helloturkey.net/sahmet-3.jpg It was the dying wish of Sultan Ahmet, who perished at a young age at the 17th century, due to a disease, to finish the mosque so that his name would live forever. It is called Blue Mosque by visitors who fell in the awe of the delicate designs of Ottoman tiles that decorate the walls of the shrine. The floral patterns of the tiles, as well as well-lighted, capacious internal spaces are a testimonial of the eternity of the soul.

GRAND BAZAAR

http://www.resimle.net/data/media/216/istanbul-grand-bazaar_kapali_carsi.jpg

The largest and the most attractive covered bazaar in the world; where people have been trading diamonds, carpets, food, perfumes, and, even gossip for centuries !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCLUDES

• Transportation by air conditioned vehicles.

• Fully escorted by an English speaking tour guide. • Admission fees

 

EXCLUDES

• Drinks and all personal expenses.

 

 

PC TOUR 1  250.-Euro/per person
Troy & Dardanelles & Anzacs (daily)
The tour starts with early departure from your hotel. After 4 hours of drive arrive to Gelibolu (Gallipoli) where Çanakkale Boğazı (Dardanelles) starts. Get on the ferry from Gelibolu to Çanakkale. Visit the city of Çanakkale and have lunch. Visit the ruins of ancient legendary city of Troy (the city of Homeros in Iliada, see the sites of the Trojan wars, symolic Trojan Horse, old city walls, Athena Temple and the Odeon). Get on the ferry from Çanakkale to Gelibolu. Visit the battlefields and cemeteries. Drive back to Istanbul.

 

PC TOUR 2   450.-Euro/per person
Ephesus & Pamukkale – Aegean Sea (2 days)
Day 1 : Departure from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Fly to İzmir and drive to Selçuk. Visit the old city of Ephesus (the best preserved classical city Ionian city of the Roman era, one of the seven wonders of the ancient times). See the The Odeon, The Marble Street, The Hadrian Temple, The Celcius Library and The Great Theatre. Visit the House of Virgin Mary. Visit the Basilica of St. John. After a two hours drive arrive to Denizli – Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 2 : After breakfast at the hotel visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and see the Necropolis, The Roman Baths and the Theater. Drive to the ancient city of Aphrodisias and see The Theater, The Basilica, The Roman Baths, the biggest stadium of the ancient times and the Aphrodisias Museum with magnificent marble statues. Drive to Izmir and fly to Istanbul.

 

PC TOUR 3   450.-Euro/per person
Cappadocia – Anatolia (2 days)
Day 1 : Departure from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Fly to Kayseri and drive to Kapadokya (Cappadocia means the city of beautiful horses). Cappadocia is unique with its spectecular surrealistic landscape of rock cones and capped pinnacles called Fairy Chimneys and rock chapels, churches and monastries with magnificent mosaics and paintings. Visit The Citadel of Uçhisar, Pigeon Valley, Zelve Valley and Avanos (the pottery village) Visit Göreme Open-air Museum and see the churches hewn out of rock with colourful frescos and the Karanlik Church, which has been restored and presented to the world by Unesco. Overnight in Cappadocia. (If requested optional tour to a simple wine house or to a local folkloric performance is available – requires extra payment).

Day 2 : After breakfast at the hotel visit  The Underground City of Kaymakli, Çavusin Village and Soganli Valley. Drive to Kayseri and fly to İstanbul.

 

 
General Information about the tours

1) Optional Post Congress Tours are tailor made for the participants of ISBI 2010 only and will be operated for minimum 6 people. If the number of participants for a single tour is less then 6 the tour will not be operated.

2) The price of the tours include air flight tickets, transportation, English speaking official tour guide, entrance fees, lunches during the tours (drinks are not included) and bed&breakfast accommodation in a 4 star hotel.

3) For reservation please fill in the “Registration and Accommodation Form.

4) For any kind of private tour alternatives please contact the Organizing Secretariat.