PRE-CONFERENCE TOURS

There is so much to see and do in Istanbul, that this year, two pre-conference tours will be offered: A Taste of Istanbul and Old Town Highllghts.

*Pre-Tours are booked with our on-line registration. Click here to go the Registration page.

Pre-Tour #1 – Tuesday October 13th: A Taste of Istanbul

The smells, tastes and sights all take hold as you experience a Turkish bazaar. It is all here at the Spice Market which specializes in the sale of herbs, spices, medicinal plants as well as souvenirs. You can sample some local coffees or teas, taste Turkish Delight and simits, or dried fruits. From the market we board the bus and head to Dolmabahce Palace for a guided tour of one of Istanbul’s most lavish and extravagant pieces of architecture. More than 14 tons of gold have been used to gild the ceilings and you will see the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal in the world.

Walking to Kabatas Port, we board a Bosphorus cruise boat for a scenic ride to Ortakoy. Enjoy lunch while travelling the waterways and watching the magnificent views of homes, resorts, shops, restaurants, bars, and of course ships of all sizes. At Ortakoy, we will have some time to explore the markets and streets before returning to the hotel by bus.

Pre-Tour #2: Wednesday October 14th:

Old Town Highlights – A 3,000 Year Historical Tour

This full-day tour of the cultural and historical highlights of Istanbul will make you want to see much more. Starting at Hagia Sophia – the “Church of Holy Wisdom” – you will see the breathtaking structure which served as the patriarchal church of Constantinople before being converted to a mosque by the conquering Ottomans. Walking past the Roman Hippodrome to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) you will see the shining grey domes and piercing minarets that create such a magical scene. The Blue Mosque received its name because of the interior decorations of blue Iznik tiles. The next stop is the underground Roman cistern, Yerebatan, which is more commonly known as the ‘Sunken Palace’.

After lunch the tour continues to Topkapi Palace where we will be guided through many parts of the oldest standing palace in the world and home of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. It is a sprawling complex of courtyards, gardens, fountains, priceless antiques and jewels.