ACCOMODATION
SERVICES
1) GRAND HOTEL DE LONDRES
The meeting of East and West, the cradle of the oldest civilizations of the world, Istanbul... Unchanged residence of past and present...
When "Orient Express" reached Istanbul five years after its operation in 1883, the first hotels of Istanbul had already begun to appear, in the very cosmopolit westernized section of the city called "Pera". One of those hotels was "Hotel Buyuk Londra" or "Grand Hotel De Londres", which soon after its opening took its place among the best hotels of Istanbul, together with Tokatliyan and Pera Palace.
Hotel Buyuk Londra is one of the few establishments managing to survive from that era to our time. Passing through many renovations, the hotel nevertheless still graciously reflects the atmosphere of the 1900's.
2) CARTOON HOTEL (★★★★)
Cartoon Hotel is another official hotel of the conference. It is a comfortable, nice and middle priced hotel with a remarkable discount for participants just at the very heart of the Taksim district.
http://www.cartoonhotel.com/en/index.html
CITY TOURS
You can visit Explore Istanbul page for more information on Istanbul.
1) ISTANBUL CLASSICS AND HIGHLIGHTS / HISTORICAL TOUR
Price includes: Guiding, museum entrances, lunch and transportation
Duration: 09:00-16:30
Price: 70 Euro
HIPPODROME / BLUE MOSQUE / GERMAN FOUNTAIN / HAGIA SOPHIA / GRAND BAZAAR / HAGIA IRENE CHURCH (FROM OUTSIDE) / TOPKAPI PALACE
PETIT HAGIA SOPHIA
This tour is a must in Istanbul. You will begin the day with the Roman Hippodrome, where the chariot races were organized by the Romans and Byzantines. Blue Mosque-the only mosque with six minarets and its surroundings will be our next place to visit. Next, you will see the German Fountain - a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm 2. and listen the stories of his liaison with the orient. Hagia Sophia - The Church of Divine Wisdom is the highlight of this day. Following the visits your guide will take you the Grand Bazaar for demonstration of Turkish Handicrafts.
Topkapi Museum is the most important museum of Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula. It is an incomparably rich treasure-chest, brimming with things of historical importance. First, second, third and fourth courtyards; the Audience Hall, Divan-the High Court, Historical Kitchens, Royal Stables, the Treasury, gardens, kiosks...Probably the best commentary on Ottoman History, art and its culture is simply to come direct to the First Courtyard of this amazing Palace. Next place to see is Hagia Irene Church (from outside). Our final place of interest is Church of Sergius and Bacchus today known as "Petit Hagia Sophia Mosque". To see these things with a great guide... well, you will never be quite the same again.
Special Note: Hagia Sophia Museum is closed on Monday and Topkapı Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. They will be replaced with Chora Museum. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and it will be replaced with Spice Bazaar.
2) DINING OUT IN A TURKISH WAY TOUR
Price includes: Guide in English, transportation, kebabs, starters, simit, local drinks (limited), tripe soup, tea, Turkish coffee and Turkish traditional live music.
Duration: 19:00-23:30
Price: 70 Euro
OCAKBASI AND MEYHANE
This is a real traditional night in Istanbul. You will see neither professional belly nor folkloric dancers. No touristic places - but you will see much more than that!
We will take you where locals go to dine in a 'Turkish Way'. We start the evening in a traditional 'Simit Bakery'. Simit is a bread roll, which is covered with grape molasses and sesame seeds. We take our simits and visit one of the local kıraathane'- which literally means reading rooms-but-in reality is a coffee shop with lots of men with mustaches playing cards or backgammon! After having traditional Turkish tea in a traditional tea glasses we visit another traditional place: Ocakbaşı-which is a traditional self-service barbecue restaurant where you sit by the fire and grill your kebabs, along with glass of Turkish Raki of course! We continue our gourmet journey passing, seeing and sniffing by some Turkish Restaurants. Finally, we end up in a Meyhane – a traditional Tavern where you taste 'Meze', drink 'Rakı' and listen to live Turkish Music performed by Gipsy Musicians. Well if you think that is it for the night, you are wrong! We will offer you a traditional 'İşkembe Çorbası’, which is a 'Tripe Soup'- the same way Turks complete their evening after being sated with 'Turkish Rakı'. And of course no Turkish Night is 'a complete' without tasting the 'Türk Kahvesi'-Turkish Coffee. Sounds tasty huh! And to give it quality, you will be escorted by a Professional guide who will explain to you everything that you will need to know.
3) BOSPHORUS CRUISE AND DOLMABAHCE PALACE TOUR
Price includes: Guiding, transportation, private boat, entrance fee of the Museum and lunch
Duration: 09:00-16:30
Price: 70 Euro
CRUISE ON BOSPHORUS (150 minutes)
SPICE BAZAAR
RÃœSTEM PAÅžA MOSQUE
DOLMABAHÇE PALACE
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
CAMLICA HILL
4) ISTANBUL CRUISE GOLDEN HORN & BOSPHORUS WITH PRIVATE BOAT
Price includes: Guiding, transportation and private boat
Duration: 09:00-12:30
Price: 35 Euro
SPICE BAZAAR, RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE, CRUISE ON BOSPHORUS FOR 150 MINUTES.
From the awe-inspiring Dolmabahce Palace to the ancient Walls of Constantine and onto the Topkapi Palace, experience the best views the city has to offer while enjoying a wonderful cruise along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. A journey along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn with Istanbul Cruise will give you a unique insight into the great city’s history. Our cruise and tour ends in Eminönü Pier where the cruise started. Passengers willing to continue our full day tour will disembark in Üsküdar.
Special Note: Dolmabahçe Palace Museum is closed on Mondays & Thursdays. It will be replaced with CHORA MUSEUM.
Tours are organized by Istanbul Walks
