• Your afternoon is free to rest and relax or explore Istanbul on your own.
• (4:30 p.m.) Four Seasons Hotel has arranged a private tour in the late afternoon.
• We will meet with the hotel architect and interior designer Sinan Kafadar (pending).
• 6:30 p.m. Welcome Cocktail Reception - courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel
• 7 p.m. Welcome Dinner - at the Four Seasons Hotel

• (9 a.m.) We depart from the hotel for a full day of sightseeing in our private motorcoach bus. We will see the most important archaeological and historical sites of Istanbul. In the morning we will visit the Domabahce Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans which overlooks the Bosporus. Then we will drive to the old city and visit the Sultanahmet Camii, better known as the Blue Mosque because of its fine blue and green Iznik tile work. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful imperial mosques. After this visit we go on to the Topkapi Palace and visit the Museum and Harem Quarters. This vast palace was the residence of the sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries and now displays a breathtaking collection of porcelain, jewels, calligraphy, weapons and other valuables from the Ottoman Court.
• Lunch at the Pandelli Restaurant offering traditional Turkish cuisine. The restaurant is well situated on the second floor of the famous Spice Market.
• In the afternoon we will visit the famous Haghia Sophia Museum (Aya Sofya Muzesi). This Byzantine masterpiece, also a World Monument since May 22, 1999, is Emperor Justinian's masterpiece. This Church of the Divine Wisdom was dedicated by him on December 26, 537 and the present building is the third church of the same name to stand on this site; the previous two having been destroyed by rioting mobs. For over 900 years Haghia Sophia was the cathedral of Constantinople and the focus of religious life of the entire Byzantine Empire. After the Ottoman conquest, the church was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the order of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic, the mosque was deconsecrated and turned into a museum. Later that day we will visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasha, the Grand Vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent. It is considered the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. It is now used as a museum housing many beautiful and precious Turkish and Persian miniatures, Seljuk tiles, Korans and antique carpets. Return to hotel.
• Dinner on your own
• Evening free

Day at leisure -or- Optional Tour:
Half day Jewish Heritage Tour

• (9 a.m.) We will depart from the hotel and visit the Galata Tower in the Galata section which was the center of the old Jewish community. See the Neve Shalom Synagogue which was built in 1951 and is the largest synagogue in Istanbul where most of the religious ceremonies are held. Then we will visit Ashkenazi Synagogue which is located near the Galata Tower. This synagogue is the only active Ashkenazi synagogue open to visits and prayers. Founded by the Ashkenazim of Austrian origin in 1900, it is the last remaining synagogue among a total of three built by the Ashkenazim. Later we will proceed to the Zulfaris Jewish Museum which was once a synagogue. Return to the hotel.
• Lunch on your own
• Afternoon free

• 7 p.m. Cocktail Reception and Dinner is being arranged for us at a private home. We hope to meet with other invited guests who will represent a broad spectrum of the cultural and political life in Turkey.

• (9 a.m.) We will depart from the hotel to visit Sadberk Hanam Museum, Istanbul's only private museum. This remarkable collection is housed on the shores of the Bosporus. The museum was established by the Koc Family, owners of the largest business conglomerate in Turkey in honor of the late Mrs. Sadberk Koc. In her museum, the guests will have the opportunity to view her extensive collection of Turkish handicrafts and to visit the newly established archaeological wing. The second stop will be the Iznik Foundation where we will receive a briefing on the world famous Iznik tiles.
• Lunch at the Tugra Restaurant in the Palace section of the beautiful Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel which is located on the shores of the Bosporus.
• After lunch, we will proceed to the Yildiz Gardens, acclaimed for its forest of laurel trees and the place where Pan was said to have played his flute. The forest became a part of the royal gardens in the early 17th century. We will visit the Yildiz Porcelain Factory which was designed by Raimondo D'Aronco. This factory was part of the "opening to the West" scheme and began producing tiles in 1895 using the technology, expertise, materials and craftsmen of the French Sevres Porcelain Factory. You will later have a tea break at the Malta Mansion, which is situated in the gardens and the place where Murad V and his mother were imprisoned, and also where Midhad Pasha was incarcerated during his trial. Return to the hotel.
• Dinner on your own
• Evening free

• (9 a.m.) This morning we will visit the Beyoglu area also known as the Old Pera, which is a very unique place in the city. From the 18th century to the early 20st century, this section has always offered the most sophisticated cultural activities, entertainment and shopping facilities in all of Turkey. The area fell into decline but has recently been enjoying a restoration and renovations that has made it into a very popular locale - filled with exhibition centers, cafes, bars, cinemas and shops.
• We will have a tea break at the Pera Palas Hotel. This museum quality hotel was built for the legendary Orient Express in 1892. Ataturk, the founder of the republic, and Agatha Christie, the author, stayed here and today their rooms are kept in their nostalgic settings of 19th century for visitors to see.
• In the afternoon, we have arranged for special visits with architects, interior designers, and artists - all along Cukurcuma Street, the street of antique shops. Here you will find a wide choice of stores ranging from traditional Turkish craft pieces, kilim rugs, to some stores featuring fine European furniture. We are also arranging for a private visit to an art gallery.
• A special luncheon is being arranged for us in one of the antique shops!. Return to the hotel.
• Dinner on your own
• Evening free

• (9 a.m.) We will spend our last day in Istanbul visiting the Kariye Camii - St. Savior Chora, a church renowned for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. In 1948, the Byzantine Institute of American began a project to restore the church to its original greatness. The project was completed in 1958 and today stands as one of the greatest monuments of Byzantine art. Our last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar - a labyrinth of small street and passages with over 4000 shops! Return to hotel or remain at the Grand Bazaar to explore and shop on your own.
• Lunch on your own
• Afternoon free -or- Visit the renowned Archaeology Museum in Istanbul
• (6:30 p.m.) Farewell Dinner - We have arranged for a private boat that will take our group to the famous seafood restaurant Korfez across the Bosporus.
• After dinner we will return to the hotel via the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge which spans the Bosporus from Europe to Asia.