Accompanying Persons' Programm

Participants in this programme will be entitled to take part in all the social events of the Conference:

	Welcome Reception at the Hilton Hotel starting at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 May.
	Social Evening on Thursday, 27 May.
	City Tour at 3.00 p.m. on Friday, 28 May

In addition to the Social Events the Accompanying Persons’ Programme will consist of sightseeing and shopping tours on May 26 and 27, lunch on these days, and the Farewell Lunch on May 28.

The following sights will be visited:

BYZANTIAN RELICS - HALF DAY

HIPPODROME, centre of the great marvels of architecture, constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by the emperor Justinian.

BLUE MOSQUE facing St. Sophia, famous for its blue I.znik tiles and unique with 6th minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

TURKISH & ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM, built in 1524. This was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. Today, it holds a superb collection of ceramics, metalworks, miniatures as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world.

ST. SOPHIA, one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by the emperor Justinian.

GRAND COVERED BAZAAR, most attractive shopping centre and the biggest ‘souk‘ in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets and leather wear.

OTTOMAN RELICS - HALF DAY

TOPKAPI PALACE, an imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting treasures, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section, etc.

SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE, a masterpiece of the famous architect Sinan built in the name of Süleyman the Magnificent during the 16th century.