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Social Event
Book Discover Istanbul Highlight Tour
Online bookings for the Conference Dinner have now closed however there are still some tickets left which will be available for purchase from the Registration Desk on-site at the Conference.
Discover Istanbul Highlight Tour
This sightseeing tour in the beautiful city of Istanbul will start with a visit to Sultan Ahmed Camii, also called the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the most famous monument in both the Turkish and Islam world, and the only mosque built with six minarets. Only a short walk away stands the magnificent Hagia Sophia, built by Constantine the Great and considered a masterpiece of Byzantine Art.
The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I when he was only 19 years old and was built near the Hagia Sophia, over the site of the ancient hippodrome and Byzantine imperial palace. It took 7 years to build and was designed by architect Mehmet Aga, whose unfortunate predecessor was found wanting and executed. Sultan Ahmet was so anxious for his magnificent creation to be completed that he often assisted in the work. Sadly, he died just a year after completion, at the age of 27.
One of the most notable features is visible from far away – its 6 minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have 4, 2 or just 1 minaret. Whatever the origins of the unique feature, the 6 minarets caused quite a scandal, as the Haram Mosque in Mecca (the holiest in the world) also had 6 minarets. In the end, the sultan solved the problem by sending his architect to Mecca to add a seventh minaret.
The other striking feature of the exterior is the beautifully arranged cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the great central dome.
Inside, the high ceiling is lined with the 20,000 blue tilesthat give the mosque its popular name. Fine examples of 16th-century Iznik design, the oldest tiles feature flowers, trees and abstract patterns. The overall effect is one of the most beautiful sights in Istanbul.
Anyone booking a place on the tour will be collected from the Conference Centre by bus immediately after lunch on Friday 27th January.
Schedule:
14.30 Departure from Conference Centre via bus
15.00 Hagia Sophia
16.00 Blue Mosque
16.35 Roman Hippodrome
17.10 Return bus (for those not attending dinner)
17.40 Arrive back at Conference Centre
Cost:
42 Euro per person (including return bus transfers from the Exhibition Centre)
How to book:
To book your place on the tour please click here and scroll down the page until you see the “Tour” heading.
NB: Hotel accommodation for the Conference can also be booked through this link
Dinner
1001 DIREK CISTERN www.binbirdirek.com
The 1001 Cloumns Cistern, also called the “Philoxenus Cistern” or “Binbirdirek Cistern” in Turkish, is the oldest known cistern in Istanbul. The Turkish name comes from the many Greek columns used in its construction. According to ancient Byzantine sources, 1001 Direk Cistern was the second largest cistern of its era, having been constructed in 330 AD by the Roman Senator Philoxenus during the reign of the Byzantine Emporer Constantine. Despite it’s name, the 1001 Cistern is actually 224 marble columns, each column made up of two colums joined together by a ring clamp. The walls of the Cistern are almost three metres thick and it has a splendid brick vaulted ceiling. The orginial purpose was to serve the Lavsus Palace. Later, during Ottoman times, it was converted into a silk manufacturing warehouse.
In recent years it has been extensively renovated to the splendor of bygone years to provide a unique venue for social gatherings. The Cistern holds a distinctive place in Istanbul’s culture and the columns help to create an authentic and magical atmosphere which will provide the backdrop for the AAA conference dinner. After a welcome cocktail and a chance to admire the architecture, diners will be treated to a four course traditional Turkish meal with an opportunity to taste some favourite Turkish dishes along with local Turkish wine or beer, “raki”, a traditional Turkish drink and soft drinks.
We hope you will take the opportunity to come along to this special event to see this unique cultural site, enjoy a taste of Turkey and share the good company of your colleagues.
Travel to Dinner:
- Delegates attending the “Discover Istanbul” Tour:
The 1001 Cistern is a short walk from the tour location. - Delegates not attending the “Discover Istanbul” Tour:
Buses will pick delegates up from the Conference centre at 16.45 for the journey to the dinner venue.
Welcome Drinks:
Served from 17.30 – 18.30. Seating for dinner will commence at 18.30.
Cost:
The conference dinner has been subsidized by the AAA and is being offered at a special rate of only £45 per person.
Return Travel after Dinner:
Buses will be arranged to drop delegates off either in the Taksim Square area or at Conference Centre after dinner.
Booking:
Online bookings for the Conference Dinner have now closed however there are still some tickets left which will be available for purchase from the Registration Desk on-site at the Conference.
