Istanbul is an increasingly popular travel destination, representing the best of both Asia and Europe with a foot in each continent. An amazing mixture of the old and the new, the city also features a wide variety of modern restaurants, bars as well as galleries. Istanbul is also fast creating its place on the fashion scene with upscale department stores and plenty of fashion boutiques to be found throughout.
Istanbul - an increasingly popular travel destination
Guests attending the World Superyacht Awards on 5 May are invited to participate in an exciting cultural programme in the days surrounding the gala evening, organised by Boat International Media as well as the local partners and sponsors with the assistance of Plan Tours.
Planned activities include:
RAHMI M. KOÇ MUSEUM
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications, educating and entertaining tens of thousands of visitors each year. Housed in magnificent buildings – themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology – on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft.
TOPKAPI PALACE
The Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465 – 1856) of their 624-year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainment. The palace is one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist attractions and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including the Prophet Muhammed’s cloak and sword.
GRAND BAZAAR
The Grand Bazaar first opened in 1461 and is now one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather and gold jewellery. Today, the Grand Bazaar houses two mosques, two hamams, four fountains and multiple restaurants and cafes.
YARD TOURS
Three of the world’s leading shipyards; Proteksan Turquoise, RMK Marine and Perini Navi, will be offering superyacht owners and VIP guests the exclusive opportunity to explore their impressive shipyards and facilities in Istanbul, followed by a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Participation in the yard tours will be strictly by invitation only.
The varied programme of activities has been organised to assist guests in making the most of their time in this magical city. In addition to the programme, there will also be plenty of opportunities to explore Istanbul at one´s leisure, with the Kempinski’s 5-star concierge service readily available to recommend the region’s finest restaurants, spas and other points of interest.
