Travel with friends: Istanbul 2013
The Istanbul Tour 2013
PROGRAM
The program will be flexible as we value group dynamics. We want to leave room for spontaneous interactions, invitations and encounters on our journey. And create opportunities for your own initiatives and proposals. But we'll for sure do 80% as planned and make sure you see some of the highlights, besides having a peek into the lives of the gays in Istanbul. This is the program proposal. There might be extra activities, pleasant surprises, things changed due to the situation etc.
WED Day 1
The program starts on Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm. Those who arrived the night before and went clubbing, can enjoy a hangover breakfast before we leave on the walking tour. We'll explore Beyoglu, for centuries the more lively part of Istanbul, home to many ethnic minorities and progressive groups. We bring you to hidden corners and end up in one of the main gay bars, our favorite spot. There might be Karaoke or just other interesting gay men to hang out with. Nearby is a tasty and bohemian food place, which has managed to escape all tourists guides for years. If you are still loaded with energy, we’ll hit Tekyon, our favorite gay club where men party hard till the morning.
THU Day 2
Today we forget the hedonist pleasures of Beyoglu and cross the Golden Horn over the awe inspiring Galata Bridge into Sultanahmet, known for its religious landmarks. We’ll visit the Blue Mosque or maybe you prefer one of the more hidden mosques, built by the same architect but with hardly any tourists. After that, we'll get lost on purpose in the labyrinth of the age old bazar, with spices, gold, textiles, pottery, full of colors and fragrances. In the evening, we’ll have dinner in a fancy very gay friendly rooftop restaurant, of course with view on the Bosporus.
FRI Day 3
Friday we’ll have a slow start with a great breakfast, Istanbul is renowned for its food, very different from the Doner Kebab you might have encountered before. Fulfilled, we’ll head back towards Sultanahmet to visit the Aya Sofia, one of the buildings in the world that you simply have to see, and not just once. Then depending on what the group wants, we can explore the Basilica Cisterns, head back to Beyoglu, visit the Istanbul Modern or take a boat to one of the islands, all is possible. In the evening a hammam is for sure among the options to socialize with the locals.
SAT Day 4
Gay Love Spirit Workshop 'love and connect' guided by Dann and Thomas. We will also invite local men from Istanbul to participate as it will only the second workshop of this kind in Turkey, we can proudly call ourselves gay pioneers. In the evening we taste some excellent modern Turkish Cuisine on the lively square near Galata Tower.
SUN Day 5
A second day of workshop where we deepen the themes and playful exercises of Saturday: breathing exercises, yoga, massage, dance…
After that we’ll head for some great Ottoman food and a night of wild partying or bar hopping before the weekend ends.
MON Day 6
The program stops in the morning, but nothing stops you from lingering around for some more days. We’ll provide you with enough ideas and suggestions. For the other’s time for goodbye hugs.
What if you arrive earlier?
As our guesthouse is located in the most trendy and upcoming neighbourhood, you can easily walk around and visit some of the music instrument shops, cute little bars, climb up the Galata tower, or with a bit of help form us make it to the renovated Pera Palace, where Agatha Christie wrote 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Dann and Thomas will be present in Istanbul starting Tuesday April
30th.
Want to stay longer?
Well same scenario, for sure take time to visit the Princess Islands, spend at least half a day in Topkapi, head out to Fener and Balat further along the Golden Horn, do some more visits to the bazar, take a boat up the Bosporus to the villages with wooden houses or cross to the Asian side, take a cooking course… and get enchanted by the amazing city, every day a little more.
PRICE
The entire package costs 680 euro if booked until 01.02. Regular price: 780 euro. You also can just book the workshop (so without accommodation, guided tours etc). The price for that is 165 euro’s for early birds and 195 euro’s after February 1th. Turkish men get a discount on the workshop, see on the booking page. For further questions please contact Dann.
Price include
- all the lodging (breakfast included), except on Tuesday April 30th, the day before it starts and on Monday May 6th, the day it finishes. If you want, we can take care of that and add a day to the bookings in Istanbul. The prices are based on sharing a double room. We will do the division based on the date of application. Mail us for single supplement, earlier arrival or longer stays
- the two day workshop
- entrance of museum and local guide during group activities
- transport during group activities
- the services of gay love spirit
- service charges and VAT
Not included are
- your flight and transfer from Airport to Istanbul
- lunch, dinner and drinks
- visit to hammam, massages etc
- insurances
For further questions please contact Danny
