Social Program |
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Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception Tuesday, August 29th, 2006 (18:30 - 22:30)
First visit will be to the Roman Hippodrome to see the Serpentine Column, the Egyptian Obelisk and then visit to St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century. Proceed to the magnificent Topkapi Palace to see the unique crown jewellery, chinese porcelain and exquisite displays of clothing, dating back many hundreds of years. Last visit will be to the Covered Bazaar to explore the maze of over 4'000 tiny shops selling leather, copper, carpet, antiquities, souvenirs and jewellery. TI-01 Wednesday, August 30, 2006 (09:00 - 13:30) 40.- per person
Visit the 6th century Byzantine Basilica, St. Sophia which is one of the greatest architectural marvels of the ancient world; the underground cistern with a storage capacity for 80,000 tons of water for the old city and the Hippodrome, once the chariot race track of the Byzantine and the Romans. See the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. The last visit is to the Church of St. Saviour in Chora to see the world famous frescoes and mosaics. BMA-01 Thursday, August 31, 2006 (09.00-13.30) 40.- per person Ottoman Relics The 17th century Ottoman Blue Mosque is famous for its six minarets and magnificent blue oznik tiles which line its interior. The next visit is to the magnificent Topkapo Palace, housing the richness of 700 years of the Ottoman Empire. Collection of jewels, porcelains, clothing and armory will be seen. Last visit is to the Süleymaniye Mosque; "Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificient" to witness the greatness of Archtiect Sinan; best architect of all times during the Ottoman Period. OR-01, Friday, September 1, 2006 (13.30-17:30) 40.- per person Cancellation policy for daily tours Cancellation can be made up to 4 weeks prior to the tour for a full refund. After this date no refund will be provided. TOPKON Travel reserves the right to cancel a tour if the minimum number of 20 participants is not met. Such cancellations are fully refunded. Post-Symposium Tours Tour A: Cappadocia: Mystery of the Early Christians September 3-5, 2006 Some three million years ago, violent volcanic eruptions covered the plateau in this area with tufa, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud. Subsequently, the wind and rain eroded the brittle rock to form a spectacular surrealistic landscape of rock cones and capped pinnacles, called FAIRY CHIMNEYS, that are painted in colours ranging from warm reds and gold to cool greens and greys. During Byzantine times, christian chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, and later these dwellings served as refuge for christians, persecuted by the Romans. Day 1: Early departure from Istanbul, flight to Kayseri and continue to Cappadocia region. Visit the underground, eleven-storied city of Kaymakli, see the extraordinary rock formations at Uçhisar and the charming town of Ürgüp with its fairy chimneys. Lunch in the area. Dinner and accommodation at a local hotel. Day 2: Visit the rock dwellings, chapels and monasteries of the Göreme Valley, Zelve Valley, villages of Çavusin and Avcilar. Lunch in the area. Dinner and accommodation at a local hotel. Day 3: Early departure from the hotel and ride to Kayseri to fly back to Istanbul. Rate: 590.- per person in double room / 90.- single supplement Rate is inclusive of: 2 nights accommodation in a first class hotel on half-board basis, 2 lunches en route, all sightseeing tours with an English speaking guide, hotel / airport transfers in Istanbul, all entrance fees, domestic airfare Istanbul/Kayseri/Istanbul, service charge and VAT. Minimum 10 participants. Tour B: Ephesus and Pergamum: Resurrected Cities of the Roman September 3-5, 2006 Day 1: Early flight from Istanbul to Izmir where you visit the Roman Agora, the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum and Kadifekale (Mt Pagus). Lunch in a local restaurant in Izmir. Dinner and accommodation at a local hotel. Day 2: Full-day tour to Ephesus to see the extensive ruins including baths, gymnasium, theatres and other monuments which line the marble streets. Also visit the reputed last home of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John and the Seljuk Museum. Lunch in the area. Dinner and accommodation in Izmir. Day 3: Full-day tour to Pergamum, visiting the Acropolis, the famous Altar of Zeus, the precipitous theatre and Asclepium, one of the foremost medical centers of the ancient world. Lunch in the area. Return to Istanbul by an early evening flight. Rate: 590.- per person in double room / 90.- single supplement Rate is inclusive of: Domestic airfare Istanbul / Izmir / Istanbul, 2 nights accommodation at a first class hotel on bed & breakfast basis, 3 lunches and 2 dinners, all sightseeing as per above itinerary with an English speaking guide, all entrance fees, service charge and VAT. Minimum 10 participants. Cancellation Policy for Post-Symposium Tours Cancellation can be made up to 6 weeks prior to the tour for a full refund. Thereafter no refund can be provided. Topkon Travel reserves the right to cancel a tour if the minimum number of 10 participants is not met. Such cancellations are fully refunded. |