Tour 7

TOUR 7 : 19^th CENTURY OTTOMAN EXTRAVAGANCE &

SPICY SHOPPING (17^th April 2010)

In the morning after the transfer from hotel to the city we start/continue our discovery of Istanbul with the Dol­mabahçe Palace (*).

(*) The Dol­mabahçe Palace (Closed on Mondays and Thursdays) was the residence of the last Ottoman sultans. This magnificent palace has a 600 m frontage on the Bosporus and is a blend of many European architectural styles. In addition to its 16 external pavilions, the palace has 285 rooms, not less than 43 toilets, 6 hamams including one carved out of pure alabaster and the largest throne room in Europe with a dome 35 m above the floor, carrying a 5000 kg crystal chandelier that is reputedly the heaviest in the world. This palace has survived intact with its original decorations, furniture, silk carpets, curtains and a great number of unique, extremely valuable objects.

Lunch will be served at an Ottoman speciality restaurant and consists of original Ottoman & Turkish dishes.

After lunch we continue our discovery of Istanbul with the Süleymaniye Mosque (*).Guests will have the chance to stroll in the streets of the Spice Bazaar (**) after the mosque visit.

  (*) The Süleymaniye Mosque is a massive complex of domed buildings, located in a dominant position overlooking the Old City. This complex which contains schools, libraries, hospitals, baths and kitchens was built by the greatest architect of the Em­pire, Sinan, under the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Mag­nificent.

(**) The Spice Bazaar (closed on Sundays) is situated by the Galata Bridge and is part of the nearby Yeni Mosque complex. Its history goes back to the middle of the 17th century when it opened as an herb & spice bazaar. Today in addition to spices, a veritable feast awaits your senses: drapery, pure olive oil soaps, pastirma (cured spiced beef), sucuk (spicy beef sausage), caviar, pickles, jam and floral scents -such as lilac, violet and jasmine which are bottled and sold here- all tempt the curious visitor.

Some shops are piled with pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, figs, plums, mulberries, apricots grapes and even dried aubergines, while others specialise in tea and coffee only. Roots, barks and leaves used in herbal remedies are on sale as a reminder of the days before western medicine became the accepted norm. With the air full of fragrances of the Orient, the irresistible temptation is simply to wander in the passageways where mounds of black peppercorns, paprika, black pepper, saffron, henna, dried sage, rosemary and rose hips are on display.

COSTING
Per person   : 92.- €

Included in the Costings: 

• Transfers mentioned in the above programme by appropriate transportation vehicle
  
• Entrance fees to the mentioned sites in the programme given above
  
• Visit of Grand Bazaar
  
• Lunch
  
• Local guide during sightseeing
  
• VAT for each service
  
• Service charge

Excluded from the Costings:

• Any kind of beverages during lunch
  
• Travel insurance
  
• Out of the pocket expenses

Please note that all private tours will be realized in case participation will be over 5 guests. EventUsta reserves the right to any change in the programme given above, without any prior notice.

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