Technical Tour Form 3^rd September 2012 Welcome Reception at the Grand Cevahir Hotel. (Included to the registration fee)
The Organizer would like to welcome all participants at the Welcome Reception in he warm atmaosphere of Grand Cevehair Hotel which will be held on he first evening.

Dress Code: Smart Casual

4^th September 2012 Congress Dinner at the Grand Cevahir Hotel. (Included to the registration fee )
ICMFH and Turkish Foodmicro Association will host this dinner for all the participants.

Dress Code: Black Tie

5^th September 2012 Gala Dinner at Bosphorus and show with traditional Turkish and International music
We kindly advise you a memoriable night with the view of glorious Bosphorus which is the most beautiful waterway in the world between the continents of Asia and Europe
This is a dinner with extra payment

Dress Code: Smart Casual

DAILY CONGRESS TOURS

A CRUISE on the BOSPHORUS – HALF DAY AFTERNOON TOUR – 07 SEPTEMBER 2012, FRIDAY

50 € per person
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 19^th 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 an English speaking tour guide,
Admission fees

Excludes:
Drinks, All personal expenses

*Minimum 12 participants are required for the tours.
**If required number of participants is not met, reinbursement will be made to your credit card after the Congress.
***Full penalty will be applied for the cancellations after August 18, 2012.

City Tour - THE LEGACY of ISTANBUL - FULL DAY TOUR WITH LUNCH - 08 SEPTEMBER 2012, SATURDAY
100 € per person
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 17th 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.

The domed construction of the sanctuary is an architectural innovation; and was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!". Mankind would have to wait for over a millennia before being able to built a cathedral that would surpass the gigantic size of Haghia Sophia.

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.

Please note that the Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

Includes: Transportation by air conditioned vehicles
Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide
Admission fees
Lunch
Minimum 15 people
V.A.T

Excludes Drinks
All personal expenses

*Minimum 12 participants are required for the tours.
**If required number of participants is not met, reinbursement will be made to your credit card after the Congress.
***Full penalty will be applied for the cancellations after August 18, 2012.