Historic Istanbul cannot be separated from the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, on the shores of which it was initially founded. There are not many places in the world where wonders of nature and masterpieces of man mix so gracefully and the testimony of the past is seen as vividly as in Istanbul.
The daily tours offered may enable guests staying for a short time to see the principal spots of interest in the city such as Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Church of St. Saviour in the Chora, and the Grand Bazaar and its surroundings.
The same tours may also be organized privately upon request.
Please contact Ms. Maki Fukushima, Congress & Meetings Event Assistant at mfukushima@wfh.org for further information.
DAILY TOURS
D-1 OTTOMAN ART TOUR (Half Day)
THE BLUE MOSQUE
Built in the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Ahmet 1, this is an imperial mosque with magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles and is unique in the Islamic World due to its six minarets.
TOPKAPI PALACE
The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century, was the private residence of the Sultan, home of the Divan (the seat of the Supreme executive and judicial control of great empire). Today's museum is housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniature paintings, and of course the Imperial Harem
Days Offered: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Departure: 09:00
Return: 12:30
Cost: € 30,00
D-2 BYZANTINE ART TOUR (Half Day)
HAGIA SOPHIA
Ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the world's architectural marvels.
HIPPODROME
The Ancient Hippodrome, the place where chariot races were held during the Byzantine Empire and the center of activities, celebrations in the honor of the Emperor. Within the Hippodrome there are three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
GRAND COVERED BAZAAR
In 1461 Sultan Mehmet II built the first bazaar of wood, which was reconstructed in 1894. In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, including leather goods, hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.
Days Offered: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Departure: 13:30
Return: 17:00
Cost: € 30,00
D-3 FULL DAY ISTANBUL CLASSIC (Full Day)
Combination of OTTOMAN ART and BYZANTINE ART tours, including lunch.
Days Offered: Wednesday, Thursday
Departure: 09:00
Return: 17:00
Cost: € 55,00
D-4 ST. CHORA CHURCH & GOLDEN HORN (Half Day)
KARIYE MUSEUM - CHURCH OF ST SAVIOUR IN CHORA
The 11th century church of "St-Savior" in the Chora complex is a legendary Byzantine church decorated with extraordinary frescoes and mosaics portraying the life and miracles of Christ.
GOLDEN HORN
The Golden Horn, an inlet of the sea dividing the European area of Istanbul into old Istanbul (year 300) and modern Istanbul (year 1600). Since antiquity this arm of the Bosphorus has been called the "Golden Horn" because of its shape like a horn and the golden colour of the water surface at sunset.
Days Offered: (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Departure: 13:30
Return: 16:30
Cost: € 30,00
D-5 BOSPHORUS CRUISE (Half Day)
After a short visit to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar, a cruise starts between two continents, Europe and Asia with an unforgettable panorama of the European style, marble palaces, ancient wooden water front villas and luxurious residences.
Days Offered: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Departure: 09:30
Return: 13:00
Cost: € 30,00
D-6 ASIA (Half Day)
After a drive over the Bosphorus bridge, have a stop at the top of Çamlica Hill, one of the highest points in Istanbul, to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city while sipping a cup of Turkish Coffee.
From here the tour continues to Beylerbeyi Palace, which was built on the 2nd half of the 19th Century as the summer residence of the Sultans.
Days Offered: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Departure: 13:00
Return: 17:00
Cost: € 30,00
D-7 TWO CONTINENTS (Full Day)
The combination of the BOSPHORUS CRUISE and ASIA tours, including lunch.
Days Offered: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Departure: 09:30
Return: 17:00
Cost: € 55,00
D-8 TURKISH BATH (Half Day)
A wonderful experience in an authentic bath with a history of 400 years, which was used by the Sultan and his Harem. Relax while receiving a massage on the heated marble platforms. It is an ideal way of ending a day.
Days Offered: Monday, Thursday
Departure: 19:00
Return: 22:00
Cost: € 40,00
D-9 BAZAARS (Half Day)
Enjoy a shopping opportunity in the ancient famous Grand Bazaar. In addition to its historical importance, it's a bazaar that will tempt even the non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jeweler, leather and souvenirs.
Days Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Departure: 14:00
Return: 17:00
Cost: € 20,00
D-10 PRINCESS ISLANDS (Full Day)
A relaxing cruise to one of the 5 islands located 28km from Istanbul in the South Eastern part of the Marmara Sea, famous for their beautiful pinewoods and beaches. The tour includes a horse carriage drive through quiet, narrow streets around the island, and a tasty lunch in a local fish restaurant.
Days Offered: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Departure: 8:00
Return: 18:00
Cost: € 55,00
D-11 ISTANBUL BY NIGHT
Drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul and stop in an exclusive nightclub to taste the joy of the famous Turkish cuisine while a spectacular Oriental Show will be performed by well-known belly dancers, Turkish singers and folk groups from various regions of Anatolia.
Days Offered: Sunday, Thursday
Departure: 19:30
Return: 23:30
Cost: € 55,00
D-12 TROY and GALLIPOLI (Full Day)
Early start to the ancient city of Troy, famous for the legendary battles and the Trojan horse from the times of beautiful Helen, The Queen of Sparta, and Paris the Trojan Prince. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant at Çanakkale, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and visit the Gallipoli, famous battle-field of Anzacs, during World War I. Return to Istanbul late evening.
Days Offered: Sunday, Friday
Departure: 06:30
Return: 23:00
Cost: € 185,00
D-13 DAILY EPHESUS (Full Day)
Early flight to Izmir and drive to Selçuk to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, formerly the capital of Ionia in Asia Minor. Ephesus is the largest excavated site in Turkey. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Return to Istanbul by evening flight from Izmir.
Days Offered: Sunday, Friday
Departure: 06:30
Return: 19:30
Cost: € 295,00
PRE and POST CONGRESS TOURS
PP- 1 EPHESUS & PERGAMON
Day 1
Early flight to Izmir and drive to Selçuk for a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 2
Depart for Izmir. Enjoy a visit of the ancient city of Smyrna and then proceed to the ancient city of Pergamon. Visit the temple of Athena, Temple of Trajanus, Agora, Library - Altar of Zeus and Asklepeidon, which is the world's oldest and first Medical treatment center. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Pergamon. Drive to Izmir Airport for retunr flight to Istanbul.
Departure Saturday May 31
Return Sunday June 01,
Departure Friday June 06
Return Saturday June 07,
Departure Time: 06:30 - Return Time: 20:00
Cost: € 420,00.- in single room,
€ 365,00 - per person in double room
Rates includes, round trip air fare from Istanbul to Izmir, accommodation on half board basis in a 4 star hotel, all airport transfers, transportation by deluxe coaches, English speaking professional guide, lunches and admission fees mentioned in the program, service charge and VAT.
PP-2 ANKARA and CAPPADOCIA
Day 1
Early flight to Ankara - the capital of Turkey. Visit to Anatolian Civilizations Museum and the Musoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant in Ankara. After lunch proceed to Cappodocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappodocia.
Day 2
Departure for the open-air museum of Göreme, Rock Chapels and Monasteries, Zelve Valley, the natural Citadels of Uçhisar and Ürgüp and finally the underground city of Kaymakli. Lunch will be served in a local Restaurant. Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 3
Transfer to the airport of Kayseri for return flight to Istanbul.
Departure Saturday May 31
Return Monday June 02,
Departure Friday June 06
Return Sunday June 08
Departure Time: 06:30 - Return Time : 20:00
Cost: € 490,00.- in single room,
€ 420,00 - per person in double room
Rates includes, round trip domestic air, accommodation on half board basis in a 4 star hotel, All airport transfers, transportation by deluxe coaches, English speaking professional guide, lunches and admission fees, service charge and VAT.
PP-3 ANTALYA
Day 01
Early morning transfer from hotel to Istanbul Airport for flight to Antalya. Transfer to hotel upon arrival. Afternoon tour in Antalya visiting Adrian's Gate, Old Harbour and Antalya Museum. Dinner at hotel.
Day 02
Following breakfast at the hotel, depart for full day tour including visits to Perge, Aspendos, and Side.Perge is one of the most important Roman and Greek sites in Turkey. Aspendos is one of the best-preserved theatres of antiquity with a seating capacity of 15,000 and is still in use today. After lunch, proceed to Side, one of best-known classical sites in Turkey, formerly an ancient harbour. The magnificent theatre of the ancient city, built on colonnade arches, is the largest around the area. Late afternoon return back to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 03
Breakfast at hotel. Full day at lesisure. Dinner at hotel.
Day 04
Following the breakfast at the Hotel transfer to Antalya Airport for return flight to Istanbul.
Departure Wednesday May 29
Return Sunday June 01,
Departure Friday June 06
Return Monday June 09,
Departure Time: 06:30 - Return Time : 10:00
Cost: € 570,00.- in single room,
€ 470,00 - per person in double room
Rates includes, round trip domestic air transportation, accommodation on half board basis in a 4 star hotel, All airport transfers, transportation by deluxe coaches, English speaking professional guide, meals mentioned on the program, admission fees, service charge and VAT.
