2010 Partners Programme

Day One

Full day tour - Shopping and Turkish Bath

Shopping:

One of the world’s largest covered markets and one of Istanbul’s best-known tourist attractions is the Grand Bazaar. Since 1464, it has never failed to dazzle one’s senses while wandering and exploring its mysterious and exciting atmosphere. Going to the Grand Bazaar is truly an event in itself.

Take in the scents, the sights, and the sounds, as you peruse many of its more than 4000 shops, selling Turkish carpets, antiques, brassware and more. This is a shopping Mecca you have never experienced before. Bargaining is not only expected here; it has been raised to a fine art.

The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice fill the air at our next stop, the Spice Bazaar, where your senses will be flooded with eveything that the mystical East has to offer.

Lunch at Havuzlu in the Bazaar

Situated in the Grand Bazaar, Havuzlu Restaurant serves delicious kebabs while offering its guests a place to have a break from shopping.

Turkish Bath:

No trip to Turkey is complete without indulging oneself in a traditional Turkish bath or as we like to call it ‘Hamam’. Traditionally these baths serve a much more profound purpose than simply bathing. They were where friends met to converse, mothers went to pick brides and businessmen went to conduct business. Our guests will be able to enjoy this relaxing and rejuvenating experience exclusively at the oldest and grandest of Ottoman Hamams: The Cağaloğlu Hamam. Sultan Mahmoud the 1st ordered it to be built and the architecture is an excellent example of Ottoman Baroque period.

This truly authentic experience begins in the private changing chambers, where our guests will change into their swimsuits and be provided with special wraparound towels. After spending time for the skin to warm up in the dry heat lounging area, the guests will be attended with soaps and scrubbed the traditional way. The really daring ones then can try the hamam style massage.

€99.00 +vat

Day Two

Half Day Tour - Piers of Bhosphorus

The Bosphorus, the 33 km strait that joins two seas and two continents, has through the ages been the subject of legend and art. Small fishing villages and shelters along the inlets, the churches and monasteries along the shores and Ottoman ruler’s summer palaces make it very attractive.

The aim of this tour is to give you the chance to explore a different side of Bosphorus. The little, still standing historical piers and the villages, which surround them and their specialities.

The cruise will start from the pier of Kempinski and cruise along the Bosphorus, crossing to the Asian side. The first stop will be at the Kuzguncuk Pier: Famous for its pastry shops that has delicious fresh home made baked goods. Upon docking, plates of freshly made, still warm baked goods will be served. After a short stroll around, we continue by boat to our next stop, Cengelkoy Pier, another typical seaside village. Taste the mini cucumbers…sold everywhere. Our next stop will be the Kanlica Pier. Another typical fishermen’s village famous for its traditional home made yoghurt. While strolling around you will be offered this special yoghurt, which you can eat plain, with sugar or with ice cream. Our next stop will be on the European Side, at the Old City and leave the boat here. This will be the final stop before guests are taken back to the Swissotel for lunch at the conference.

€49 +vat