DAY 1 /  Saturday - Welcome to Istanbul (Dinner)

Welcome to Istanbul. The amazing capital of Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. This is the only city in the world located on two continents. Istanbul is one of the world’s greatest cities, where millions of people from many different cultures live and contribute to the colors of the city.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by one of our staff members and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city.

After checking in and refreshing, this evening you will meet your teachers, guide and the rest of the group.  Tonight we will have a welcome dinner in a nice traditional restaurant in Taksim, where is considered to be the heart of the city.

DAY 2 / Sunday -Istanbul Old City tour (Breakfast)

Here we go..  Today after breakfast, we will be transferred to the studio for our first belly dancing class (2 hours). After changing and refreshing, we drive to Sultanahmet to start exploring the city.

First pay a visit to Hippodrome, where the chariots were used to race in the Byzantine times and continue to Old City. Then start our guided tour of the Palace which features precious ornaments from Ottoman Empire and the Islam religion. You will visit the treasury where you will see one of the biggest diamonds in the world. You also have the option of visiting the Harem where the women of the palace used to reside (Harem entrance fee not included).

Next stop is Blue Mosque, this is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets and takes its name from the blue tiles used for decorating its walls and dome.  Tonight Istanbul is yours to explore and find a great place to dine. Relax after a big day and get ready for another one.

DAY 3 / Monday – Grand Covered Bazaar and Roman Dance (Breakfast)

Our second belly dancing and rhythm workshop takes place this morning after breakfast  (1 hour). Today get ready for one of the most amazing shopping experiences ever, because we are going to Grand Bazaar! Apart from getting lost in the many streets of the Bazaar, we will also visit a costume shop and do our belly dancing outfit shopping to use for the final performance and the rest of your lives. Apart from shops in Grand Bazaar, we will also visit famous belly dance outfit designer Bella.

This afternoon you will meet with a totally new style of rhythm and dance. We will make a roman dance & rhythm workshop in which you will get to know the famous 9/8 Turkish Rhythm (1 hour). Rest of the evening is free at leisure. Dinner on your own.

DAY 4 / Tuesday  - Kadikoy and Camlica Hill (Breakfast)

After breakfast, transfer to the studio for belly dancing & rhythm workshop  (2 hours). Today we are crossing to another continent, on the other side of the Bosphorous and heading to Kadikoy first. Take a nice walk along the streets of Kadikoy. This is a very popular area for locals with a big fish and vegetable market, a large street for shopping and many bars. Enjoy a nice lunch of local dishes in one of the restaurants or a take away sandwich from many street shops of Kadikoy.

We will then head to Camlica Hill, where you will intake an amazing view of the city. After paying a visit to Uskudar, drive back to Europe and get ready for dinner.

Optional: Tonight we have the option of a traditional Turkish night with wonderful dinner with mezes, meat/fish, desserts and drinks while watching belly dance and folk dance shows.

DAY 5 / Wednesday – Aya Sophia Museum and Underground Cistern (Breakfast)

Today we will head back to the old city to see more of the impressive monuments. Start the day with a tour of Aya Sophia Museum which was built as a Christian church by Byzantines, then turned into a mosque by Ottomans and finally to a museum by Ataturk. The beautiful frescoes and mosaics inside and the magnificent dome impress the visitors. Later, we will visit the Underground Cistern which was used as a water supply for the city. Now the Cistern is beautifully restored and presented and offers a magical, mystical atmosphere.

We will then visit a carpet factory, where you will get a lecture about this very famous and traditional handicraft of Anatolia. You will also have a chance to view local women weaving carpets.  After lunch Belly Dance & Turkish Folk Dances Workshop (2 hours).

DAY 6 / Thursday – Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise on Private Boat (Breakfast)

This morning after breakfast, we will start with another series of workshops.  Belly Dance & Rhythm Workshop (2 hours)

Tired? Let’s relax..

First, pay a visit to the other great Bazaar of Istanbul, the Spice Market, also known as Egyptian Bazaar is a great experience where you will find myriad different spices, herbs and sweets.  We will have the afternoon, cruising along the Bosphorus on private boat. Nibbles and drinks will be served on the boat while we are enjoying the beautiful views of mosques, palaces and old houses along the shore.

Option : End the day with a scrub and foam massage in a traditional Turkish Bath.

DAY 7 / Friday – Beauty Salon, Cooking Lesson and Live Performance (Breakfast)

This is a big day if you chose to participate in our performance to the audience tonight!!

- Have a free day, take it easy, hang out aimless and maybe catch up with last minute shopping.

- Let us take you to a beauty salon where the professional hair & makeup artists will make you look even more fabulous. Next we will move to a photo studio to have professional shoots taken with your belly dancing outfits. These will be great souvenirs to keep as a memory of this experience.

- How about taking a cooking lesson today? Learn how to make one of delicious Turkish dishes in Istanbul, have a 5 course meal and drinks for lunch and fascinate your friends back home with your new skill!

At the end of the day, we are now moving to the club where we will do our performance.

We will be performing to an audience tonight among other professional belly dancers.  Those who are not willing to participate in performance can help with preparations or simply come and watch the show with the rest of the audience.  After a successful performance, we will throw an after show party in one of the most popular clubs of Istanbul playing ethnic tunes to celebrate!

DAY 8 / Saturday  - Good Bye (Breakfast)

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to the next destination.

ADD ONS:

1. Turkish Night with dinner & dance shows: Enjoy a fine dinner in one of the most popular night clubs of Istanbul, Kervansaray Restaurant, and watch some of the most famous belly dancers of Turkey perform, such as Asena and Emina.
2. Turkish Bath: Take it easy and relax in a traditional Turkish bath. First get rid of the dead skin with a scrub, then enjoy a foam massage and your body will be cleaned out of toxins at the end of session.
3. Professional Photo Shoot: First get pampered in a beauty salon, get your hair done in style with a professional touch of makeup. Then we’ll go to a professional photo shoot studio, where your best shots will be caught with your belly dancing outfit (any outfit of your choice) on. Be a superstar under lights and take a great souvenir back home.
4. Cooking Class: Learn how to cook some of great samples of Turkish Cuisine. Enjoy a 5 course lunch with drinks afterwards.
5. Extra Night in Istanbul: Extend your stay in fabulous in Istanbul and enjoy the city on your own pace.

DEPARTURE DATE:

One week Oriental Istanbul tour will start first Saturday of every month. Istanbul is a city that can be visited and truly enjoyed throughout the year. Other cities will also be introduced during summer season.