22. WORLD MINING CONGRESS ISTANBUL

ACCOMPANYING PERSON PROGRAMME

TOUR SALES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT LUTFI KIRDAR MAIN CONGRESS CENTER BETWEEN 12-15 SEPTEMBER IN REGISTRATION AREA

Accompanying person will be able to join city tours which will be purchasable for all participants. Tour options will be announced later.


TOUR 1
THE LEGACY of ISTANBUL
Full Day Tour with Lunch

Morning

Süleymaniye Camii / Mosque of Suleiman The Magnificent
It is said that the master architect Sinan has built his mosques that decorate Istanbul for over 450 years, in the image of their donators.

Sinan’s masterpiece in Istanbul, the city’s largest mosque, clearly verifies that, as one can feel the dignity and the power of the greatest of Ottoman sultans: Suleiman the Magnificent.

Apart from the mosque, the visitors have the chance to see the resting places of the two heroes of a love story that has changed the fate of an empire: Sultan Suleiman, the man called the Magnificent in Europe and “The Lawmaker” by his subjects; and his beloved wife, Roxelana.

Hippodrome
The Hippodrome has been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Roman capital; as well as very important political center for politics, as sports and politics were closely knitted up at these times. No wonder that the Hippodrome has been a starting point for revolts and political movements throughout the history.

Echoes of cries by slaves riding chariots in ferocious races; and the passionate words of intellectuals and poets that lit the flame of public movements are still reminiscent, to those with a powerful imagination.

Sultan Ahmet Camii / The Blue Mosque
It was the dying wish of Sultan Ahmet, who perished at a young age at the 17^th century, due to a disease, to finish the mosque so that his name would live forever.

It is called Blue Mosque by visitors who fell in the awe of the delicate designs of Ottoman tiles that decorate the walls of the shrine. The floral patterns of the tiles, as well as well-lighted, capacious internal spaces are a testimonial of the eternity of the soul.

Ayasofya / The Haghia Sophia
The “Shrine of Holy Wisdom”, the marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century Marks the true beginning of the golden age of Justinianus, the conqueror of Africa and Italy, who achieved lasting fame through the complete revision of all Roman law, resulting in what is known today as the Corpus Juris Civilis.

It was converted to a Mosque following the Ottoman conquest of the city, by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453; as the young Sultan fulfilled a divine premonition by the Holy Prophet Mohammad himself.

In 1935 the building was converted to a museum, by the executive order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Grand Bazaar
The largest and the most attractive covered bazaar in the world; where people have been trading diamonds, carpets, food, perfumes, and, even gossip for centuries!

Please note that St. Sophia is closed on Mondays replaced by the 6th century Basilica Cistern, which provided water to the ancient city. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

Lunch will be served a at a local restaurant

Afternoon

Topkapı Palace
The Topkapı Palace has been the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Its design, initially devised by Sultan Mehmed himself and then enhanced by Sinan, hides clues of the rituals of the structure of Ottoman hierarchy and the running of state affairs.

Home to the imperial treasury and the cabinet, as well as being the site of the barracks for the Janissaries, the elite of the army, every corner of the palace tells about the splendor of the Ottomans.

Apart from the priceless treasury, a distinguished collection of Chinese porcelains, holy relics, sultan’s costumes and imperial weaponry are exhibited in different sections of the palace.

Rustem Pasha Mosque
A 16^th century Ottoman Mosque, which was built in the name of the treasurer and the son-in-law of Suleiman the Magnificent, before he fell out of the Sultan’s favor and removed from service.

It is known to host the best examples of handmade Iznik tiles, in both interior and exterior walls; and, of course, it is seated on a complex of shops, which will give you a taste of the city’s vivid local colors.

Includes:
Transportation by air conditioned vehicles
Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide
Admission fees
Lunch

Excludes
Drinks
All personal expenses

PRICE: 80 € + VAT per person


TOUR 2
ISTANBUL by LAND and SEA
Full Day Tour with Lunch

Morning

The Bosporus Bridge
Built in 1974, the bridge connects the European and the Asian sections of Istanbul. While traveling over 60 meters above the sea level, an immaculate sight of the city’s both modern and ancient sites can be seen.

Çamlıca Hill
The highest point in Istanbul, with a panoramic command over the city. Provided that Istanbul chooses to show its beauties and blesses the visitors with a clear day, one can see (and picture) forever.

Beylerbeyi Palace
One of the, largest, lavishly furnished, 19^th century, summer residences of the Ottoman sultans. The rooms are kept with their original furniture; and visitors feel like being house guests to the Imperial family.

Bağdat Street
Once the grouping point for the merchants who were set to travel the ancient Silk Road, this popular street on the Asian side of Istanbul has elegant boutiques and shopping alternatives. This will be a perfect chance to see the urban lifestyle of modern Istanbul.

Please note that the Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays; and that it is replaced by 18^th century Hidiv Pavilion.

Lunch will be served a at a local restaurant

Afternoon

The Bosporus Cruise
A poet once described the Bosporus as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires”. This straight, separating (and connecting) to two continents that form the two faces of a city, takes its name from a mythological legend. Ever since those ancient times, it had marveled people with its beauty.

The cruise of the Bosporus will start at Sarıyer or Kabataş piers; and while cruising along the Asian and European shores, you will be surprised to see the harmony of Ottoman and modern architecture; as well as having an opportunity to see the major highlights of the city’s fairy tale-like skyline from the sea.

Along the cruise, you will pass by;

Tarabya; One of the lovely bays of the Bosporus.
Yenikoy; The site of luxurious wooden houses.
The Rumeli Fortress built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Ortaköy; A very famous area for handicrafts and nightlife.
Besiktaş; Commercial district of the new city.
Dolmabahçe; Magnificent,19th century palace, which has been the home to the Ottoman Sultans in the last century of the Empire.
Kızkulesi (maiden’s tower); An ancient lighthouse, which has inspired many legends.

A short visit to the Spice Market is the surprise of the tour. In this oriental shopping area, where you experience the vibrant pulse of Istanbul at its best, rare spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, live animals, flowers are sold. (Aphrodisiacs are available too!)

Includes:
Transportation by air conditioned vehicles
Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide
Admission fees
Lunch

Excludes
Drinks
All personal expenses
PRICE: 80 € + VAT per person