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Daily Excursions - Pre & Post Conference Tours


All excursions and tours are based on a minimum participation and availability. Fees are subject to change.

Pre-Conference Tour

Two-Day Trip to Cappadocia

Dates: June 17 - 18, 2014

June 17, Tuesday Istanbul to Cappadocia via Kayseri

Meet at your Istanbul hotel’s lobby and transfer to the airport (congress hotels only) Arrival at Cappadocia. Plan on leaving early morning on June 17th and returning early evening on June 18th. Exact departure and return times will be based on flight arrangements.

We spend the day visiting Goreme Open Air Museum where you will find rock cut churches decorated with frescoes bearing biblical scenes. Then we continue to Zelve Open Air Museum, Uchisar and Avcilar Valleys. We also see the unusual formations of fairy chimneys, columns of rock shaped by nature. Lunch during the tour at own expense. Dinner and overnight at in Cappadocia.

June 18 , Wednesday Cappadocia to Istanbul via Kayseri

Breakfast at your hotel. We spend another day in Cappadocia. We visit Kaymakli Underground City. Cappadocia is famous for its several underground cities where Christians were hiding themselves from their enemies. Kaymakli with its several levels, storage and living areas, wineries, ventilation tunnels is a good example to these structures. We also see more of Cappadocia for the rest of the day. Transfer to the airport and return flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel (congress hotels only).

This package includes:

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
  • 1 night accommodation at a 4 star hotel
  • 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
  • English speaking guidance
  • Museum admission fees

Excludes:

  • Personal expenses at the hotel
  • Drinks at meals
  • Lunches
  • Gratuities

Price:

  • $595 US per person in twin room / After May 1, 2014 fee is $645
  • $645 US per person in single room / After May 1, 2014 fee is $695

Notes:

  • 6 participants minimum are required to operate this excursion

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FD-1: Highlights of Istanbul
Full Day Excursion with Lunch
Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar

Dates: June 19th, 21st
Time: 08:30-17:30

Transfer to the Hippodrome, famous for chariot races, this Roman stadium dates back to the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great. We will visit the Blue Mosque, probably the most impressive mosque in the world. Our tour continues with the visit of Hagia Sophia Museum which was originally built as a church then converted into a mosque after the conquest in the 15th C. One of the oldest ancient buildings on Earth, this is well worth a visit.

We have our lunch at a local restaurant and then continue the day with the tour of Topkapı Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottomans. See the courtyards, a superb porcelain collection, the famous world treasury, calligraphy, Sultan’s costumes and the Holy relics of Prophet Muhammed. Also visit Archaeological Museum located within the grounds of Topkapi Palace (parts of the museum are being renovated at the moment and we will be able to visit the sections that are open during the time of our visit). Finish the day at the Grand Bazaar where thousands of small shops are located.

Cost: $85.00 US per person / After May 1, 2014 fee is $110.00

FD-2: Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Istanbul
 Full Day Excursion with Lunch
Spice Bazaar, Boat Trip on the Bosphorus, Asian Side, Camlica Hill and Beylerbeyi Palace

Date: June 20th
Time: 08:30-17:30

Transfer to the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar where you can find spice shops selling varieties of spices, nuts, fruit and herbal teas and surely Turkish Delight. We then walk across the road to the pier where we catch the ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.

You can admire magnificent views of the Bosphorus where numerous palaces, mansions are located as well as the Rumeli Fortress. This was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer as part of the preparations of his campaign to capture Istanbul. We land on the European side about half way up the Bosphorus and drive to the restaurant for lunch.

We drive across the Bosphorus over the Bosphorus Bridge to Beylerbeyi Palace. Built around 1860s, this was the summer residence of the Imperial family. After the tour we drive up to Camlica Hill from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Istanbul. Our return journey takes us over the Bosphorus Bridge.

Cost: $77.00 US per person / After May 1, 2014 fee is $102.00

HD-1: Morning in the Old City
Half Day Excursion
Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

Dates: June 19th, 21st
Time: 08:30-13:00

Transfer to the Hippodrome. Famous for chariot races, this Roman stadium dates back to the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great. We then see the Blue Mosque, probably the most impressive mosque in the world.

Our tour continues with the visit of Hagia Sophia Museum which was originally built as a church then converted into a mosque after the conquest in the 15th C. One of the oldest ancient buildings on Earth, this is well worth a visit.

Cost: $45.00 US per person / After May 1, 2014 fee is $70.00

HD-2: Bosphorus Cruise
Half Day Excursion
Spice Bazaar, Boat Trip on the Bosphorus

Date: June 20th
Time: 08:30-13:00

Transfer to the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar where you can find spice shops selling varieties of spices, nuts, fruit and herbal teas and surely Turkish Delight. We then walk across the road to the pier where we catch the ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.

You can admire magnificent views of the Bosphorus where numerous palaces, mansions are located as well as the Rumeli Fortress. This was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer as part of the preparations of his campaign to capture Istanbul.We land on the European side about half way up the Bosphorus.

Cost: $45.00 US per person / After May 1, 2014 fee is $70.00

HD-3: Afternoon at the Golden Horn
Half Day Excursion
Golden Horn, City Walls, Chora (Kariye) Museum, Eyup and Pierre Loti Cafe

Date: June 20
Time: 13:00-17:00

Transfer to the old city across the Golden Horn. We continue our drive then along the city walls and arrive at the Church of St. Savoir in Chora (Kariye Museum), a unique example of the world famous Byzantine mosaics depicting lifecycles of Mary and Christ.

After that we drive to Eyup where we will visit the Sanctuary of Eyup Sultan, a Muslim warrior of early Islamic period. After the visit, stop at the famous Cafe Pierre Loti named after the French poet who spent many years in Istanbul. Enjoy a cup of Turkish Coffee and the view of the Golden Horn.

Cost: $45.00 US per person / After May 1, 2014 fee is $70.00

All excursions are based on space and availability

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Post-Conference Tour

Two-Day Trip to Ephesus & Pergamon

Dates: 22 – 23  June 2014

June 22, 2014 Sunday- Istanbul to Kusadasi via Izmir and Pergamon

Meet at your Istanbul hotel’s lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir. (congress hotels only) Arrival at Izmir Airport. Plan on leaving early morning on June 22nd and returning early evening on June 23rd. Exact departure and return times will be based on flight arrangements.

We will drive to Bergama to visit the Acropolis and the Aesclepium of Pergamon. We will first visit the Acropolis set on top of a step hill approximately 400 meters above sea level. Famous for its Trajan Temple, library and Zeus Altar, Pergamum Acropolis still reflects its former glory. Its library once was as important as its rival in Alexandria.

Following lunch, we continue to the Aesclepium of Pergamum. Linked to the Lower Roman City of Pergamum by a ceremonial road, Aesclepium served as an ancient medical Center dedicated to the God of Healing, Aesclepius and his daughter Hygenia. We drive to Kusadasi in the late afternoon via Izmir. Arrive at Kusadasi in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

June 23, 2014 Monday Kusadasi to Istanbul via Ephesus and Izmir

After breakfast at your Hotel, we will drive to the House of Virgin Mary located at the top of a mountain near Ephesus. We then continue with the tour of the ancient site of Ephesus, one of the most important cities of antiquity. We are going to visit the third settlement dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman times. Ephesus still is well preserved with its magnificent buildings such as Celsus Library, the Great Theatre, Hadrian’s Temple, Trojan’s Fountain, State and Commercial Agoras, Marble Road, Curetes Street. Lunch during the tour. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ephesus Museum and following that we drive to the airport for the return flight back to Istanbul. We arrive at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport in the evening and drive back to your Istanbul Hotel. (congress hotels only)

This package includes:

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
  • 1 night accommodation at a 4 star hotel
  • 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
  • English speaking guidance
  • Museum admission fees

 Excludes:

  • Personal expenses at the hotel
  • Drinks at meals
  • Lunches
  • Gratuities

Price:

  • $595 US per person in twin room / After May 1, 2014 fee is $645
  • $645 US per person in single room / After May 1, 2014 fee is $695

Notes:

  • 6 participants min. are required to operate this post conference tour

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All excursions and tours are based on a minimum participation and availability. Fees are subject to change.