Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople is the
largest city of Turkey. According to the address-based birth recording
system of the Turkish Statistical Institute, the metropolitan
municipality (province) of the city had a population of 13.26 million as
of 2010, which is 17.98% of Turkey's population and the largest in
Europe before Moscow. Istanbul is a megacity, as well as the cultural,
economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is located on the Bosphorus
Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in
the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace)
and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the
only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents.
Istanbul is a designated alpha world city.
During
its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital of the Roman Empire
(330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and
1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire
(1453–1922). When the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed on 29 October
1923, Ankara, which had previously served as the headquarters of the
Turkish national movement during the Turkish War of Independence, was
chosen as the new Turkish State's capital. Istanbul was chosen as a
joint European Capital of Culture for 2010 and the European Capital of
Sports for 2012. Istanbul is currently bidding to host the 2020 Summer
Olympics. The historic areas of the city were added to the UNESCO World
Heritage List in 1985.
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Discover Istanbul
August 23 till August 26
Day 1 - ISTANBUL
Our airport
representative will be on hand to meet
and welcome you and drive for a city
orientation tour along the coastal road at
the Marmara Sea and the Byzantine city walls
to the Old City, see the daily hustle and
bustle. Lunch break at the Sultan Ahmet (the
Blue Mosque) and the Hagia Sofia area.
Drive to the hotel at Taksim area via the
Atatürk Bridge over the Golden Horn.
Hotel check-in and a briefing about gay life
in general, venues and entertainment in
Istanbul.
Our English speaking gay staff will be
available to advice and guide you.
Rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Day 2 - ISTANBUL
Full day tour with lunch. The highlights of
this tour are; The fabulous Topkapi Palace
(excluding Harem), the imperial residence of
the Ottoman Sultans for five centuries, now
exhibiting the sacred Islamic relics, one of
the richest collections of Chinese, Japanese
chinaware, costumes of the royal family, and
calligraphy sections.
The Treasury section with the world famous
Spoon Maker's diamond, the emerald dagger, the
throne embossed with pearls, also other
precious art objects.
The hippodrome with the German
Fountain, the Egyptian Obelisk and
the twisted Column. The Blue Mosque
(Sultan Ahmet Mosque) famous for its 17th
century blue Iznik tiles.
The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called
the Ayasofya Museum, a masterpiece of
architecture and world heritage, was first
built in the 4th century and reconstructed in
the 6th century by Justinian. The Grand
Bazaar will be the last stop of this tour.
Day 3 - ISTANBUL
Full day
Bosphorus & Asia tour with lunch; visit
the Spice Market (the Egyptian Bazaar)
and then take the regular ferry for a
Bosphorus Cruise to admire the beauty of
the European and Asian shorelines of either
side as well as the historical seafront
residences, the so-called yali's, a very
special cross section of Istanbul's outdoor
life in summer. Cross to the Asian side to
visit the Camlica Hill and view the
great scenery. Visit also the elegant
Beylerbeyi Palace on the Bosphorus, the
summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
Day 4 - DEPARTURE
morning hotel check out
HAVE A NICE AND SAFE FLIGHT HOME!
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750$
per person in a single room
or 650$ per person
in a double room.
$200 nonrefundable deposit required, remaining
balance collected 40 days prior to departure. The
following amounts should be wired either via
Western union, money Gram or a Bank transfer.
fill the
Registration form
and send it to us to be able to handle your
booking.
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Your passport
must have at least three months’ validity
remaining, or you may not be admitted into
Turkey. If you arrive at one of Istanbul's
airports, you can get your visa from the
‘Other Nationalities’ counter in the customs
hall before you go through immigration. You
can pay in Turkish lira, euros or US dollars;
customs officials sometimes insist on correct
change. See the website of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
www.mfa.gov.tr
for the latest information.
Travel
insurance
is mandatory for
those interested in taking part in our Tour to
Istanbul.
make sure to purchase a valid insurance that
would cover Turkey.
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