JOIN 13th
ISTANBUL BIENNIAL
Sep 22-27, 2013

Istanbul’s main Arts Festival takes place in a variety of historic buildings and venues across the city. The aim since its foundation in 1987 has been to bring together artists from home and abroad to encourage a free exchange of ideas and inspiration.
 

TOUR ITINERARY:

Sep 22 Sun            Arrive Istanbul
Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a sign your name on it. You will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. A short briefing about your Istanbul stay will be given by your government licensed tour guide. Overnight in Istanbul.

Sep 23 Mon           Istanbul
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel. 09:30 am depart from the hotel to visit the Piramit Art Center and Mr. Bedri Baykam, a well-known Turkish painter. Lunch at a local restaurant with healthy Turkish Food; olive oil vegetables. After lunch, visit famous art galleries in Istanbul; Galerist, and Galeri Apel. Evening visit to the Akbank Art Center which is one of the Biennial exhibit locations for international exhibition. (B,L) 

Sep 24 Tue            Istanbul
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel. 09:30 am depart from the hotel to visit the famous art galleries in Istanbul. Visit the Milli Reasurance Art Center, Kare Art Gallery, Ilayda Art Gallery, Tevfik Ihtiyar Art Gallery, Galeri X-ist, Mac Art, Drim Art, Galeri Artist. In the evening, you will join opening cocktail of a Biennial exhibition; “A Choice of Contemporary Turkish Art” at S Konsept Gallery. (B) 

Sep 25 Wed           Istanbul
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel. 09:30 am depart from the hotel to visit Modern Art Gallery, and then take a short walk at Besiktas area, see “W” Hotel and shops. Free time for unch at a local restaurant in Ortakoy Village. After lunch, visit P Art Works Gallery and the Antrepo in Karakoy for Biennial exhibitions. (B) 

Sep 26 Thu            Istanbul
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel. 09:30 am depart from the hotel to discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, once the Imperial Residence of the Ottoman Sultans, displaying priceless world class collections of artifacts, jeweler and rare porcelains. Then visit the Blue Mosque known for the color of the interior decoration and unique with its six minarets. Walk along the Hippodrome Square and visit the Haghia Sophia Church Museum, the 6^th century Basilica which was the largest building of the world for a thousand years. Afternoon visit to the Grand Bazaar area for shopping. (B) 

Sep 27 Fri              Istanbul Airport – Departure
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure. End of our services. (B)

EXTENSION PROGRAM Sep 27-Oct 2:

Sep 27 Fri Fly Izmir – Pergamum Tour – Izmir
Fly Izmir in the morning TK 316 09:00/10:00. Drive north to Bergama to visit the Pergamum Acropolis and the Asklepion, ancient healing center. Overnight Izmir. (B)

Sep 28 Sat Ephesus Tour – Izmir
Drive to Selcuk town to visit Ephesus, the most famous Greco-Roman city of Turkey. Visit the Odeion, Hadrian Temple, Trajan Fountain, Terrace Houses, Celsius Library, Marble Road, Great Theater, Harbor Road and more. Lunch in Selcuk. After lunch, visit a handmade carpet cooperative where you will learn the Turkish handmade carpet weaving techniques and watch Turkish young women practicing their arts. Return to Izmir on the Aegean Sea Coast. Tonight, you will have dinner at an outdoor restaurant near the sea. Overnight Izmir. (B,D)

Sep 29 Sun Fly to Cappadocia
Transfer to Izmir Airport. Fly from Izmir to to Cappadocia. Meet and transfer to the hotel. After the check-in to the hotel. Optional: dinner and show at a Cave Restaurant. (B)

Sep 30 Mon Full Day Cappadocia tour;
visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Underground City, Pasabag Valley, and Avanos Village. (B)

Oct 1 Tue Cappadocia – Fly Istanbul
Optiona Hot Air Balloon Tour in early morning (06:00-08:00). Half Day Cappadocia tour; visit the Wine Factory, and Zelve Valley. Transfer to Kayseri Airport for afternoon flight to Istanbul. Meet and transfer to the hotel in Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul. (B)

Oct 2 Wed Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure. End of our services. (B)