Turkey
Proven Turkey Destination Management Company: DMC and
Planner
for Specialist Incentive, Conference, Event and Convention Travel Organisers Worldwide
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VIP DMC
(SITE / ICCA / ASTA / IATA) |
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COUNTRY MAP
(Map by kind permission of the CIA Official Website)
General Information
| Government |
Republican Parliamentary Democracy |
| Capital |
Ankara |
| GMT |
+ 2 hours |
| Online Weekly Weather |
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day/istanbul |
| Yearly Weather Climate |
www.weather.uk.msn.com/istanbul |
| Airport |
Istanbul |
| Average Flying Time from London |
3 hours 30 minutes |
| Passport & Visa Requirements |
www.worldtravelguide.net/data/tur/tur040.asp |
| Health and Medical information |
www.worldtravelguide.net/data/tur/tur080.asp |
| Public Holidays |
www.worldtravelguide.net/data/tur/tur070.asp |
| Currency |
Turkish Lira (TL)
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| Currency Converter |
www.oanda.com/convert/classic |
| Language |
Turkish (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Greek, Arabic |
| Electricity |
220/240 volts |
| Population |
71,892,807 (July 2008 est.) |
| Total Land Area |
770,760 sq km |
| Coastline |
7,200 km |
| Driving |
On the right |
| Transportation |
Extensive rail & road network, 1,200 km of inland waterways, taxies & rental cars readily available |
Company
ABOUT US
VIP Tourism is a full service Travel and Event Management Company in Turkey with 43 years of experience.
VIP Tourism has provided deluxe travel programs and tailor made events to individuals, groups and corporations from all over the world. Recognized for its superior service and attention to detail, VIP Tourism is a pioneer and one of the most trusted names in Turkey’s tourism and event management industry. Whether you are planning a conference, celebrating a special event or wish to discover Turkey’s extraordinary history, let VIP’s pro-focus teams plan your stay for an unforgettable experience.
OUR COMPANY
VIP Tourism was founded in 1968 by İnci and Fethi Pirinçcioğlu; Fethi Pirinçcioğlu a journalist, PR man and Tourism Attaché; İnci Pirinçcioğlu a Fulbright Scholar, lecturer, and the first official tour guide in Turkey. Having already had successful individual careers, İnci and Fethi decided to put their cultural knowledge and marketing experience together and start something innovative and unique.
Their goal was simple: To introduce visitors to the friendliness and warmth of Turkish hospitality in a professional and expert manner. With this guiding principle and a vision, they pioneered Turkey’s tourism and event management industry and created VIP Tourism, a leader in the field. Fethi Pirinçcioğlu continued to be an influential figure in Turkey’s tourism industry: he was honorary chairman of the Association of Tourism Journalists and Editors of Turkey (ATURJET) and a founding member of SKAL Turkey, an international club for top-level managers of travel agencies, hotels and transportation companies.
Since 1984, VIP Tourism has flourished under the second generation management of Ceylan (CEO) and Yasemin (President) Pirinçcioğlu, with its new vision of trend-setting and quality service at every level and its use of the latest techniques and technology.
Over the past 43 years, VIP Tourism has coordinated thousands of individual and group programs worldwide and has organized over 3500 large-scale congresses and conventions for various sectors, including government, medicine, science, various business industries, associations and sporting events. In recent years, VIP has supported and/or organized more than a quarter of all great congresses held in Turkey.
VIP has also hosted many world famous VIPs, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Juan Carlos, Helmut Schmidt, Luciano Pavarotti, Rudolph Nureyev, Boris Yeltsin, Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Diana Ross, Liza Minelli, Hubert de Givenchy, Al Gore, President Bush, Martha Stewart and more...
We look forward to adding value, growing and flourishing in the future as we have in the past four decades...
OUR VISION
“VIP Adds Value”.
OUR MISSION
The “VIP” name emphasizes the company’s commitment to treating all visitors as very important persons, actually guests.
VIP embraces our company’s mission in all its travel and event management services: to provide VALUE in services and products; full INTEGRITY with suppliers and customers; and impeccable PERFORMANCE in travel and event management services, thus exceeding all expectations.
OUR TOOLS
It is the goal of VIP Tourism to consistently expand and improve our services by taking advantage of the most advanced technology available; our high calibre human resources; and our experience and command of the economy, all while maintaining a sense of team spirit and creativity.
PHILANTHROPY
Since its foundation, VIP Tourism has given great importance to its social responsibilities as a company. The company regularly contributes to the excavation of Aphrodisias through the Geyre Foundation and supports the Tuvana Foundation for Educating Children (TOCEV) in their efforts to ensure that all children, regardless of family income, go to school and receive a quality education. To celebrate the company's 25th anniversary, VIP Tourism formed city greenery; for its 35th anniversary in 2003, VIP Tourism planted a 35 year-old magnolia tree on the Bab-i Humayun Avenue at the entrance to Topkapi Palace, next to Hagia Sophia. VIP is the only company in its field to sign a Global Doctrine Agreement in the presence of the Secretary General of the United Nations.
ASSOCIATIONS
VIP Tourism is a proud member of the following associations:
TÜRSAB (The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
UFTAA (United Federation of Travel Agencies Association)
USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association (allied))
SITE (The Society of Incentive and Travel Executives)
ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)
DEİK (Foreign Economic Relations Board)
Yasemin Pirinçcioğlu, President of VIP, is an active member of:
* KAGİDER (Women Entrepreneurs’ Association)
* KADER (Association of Supporting and Educating Women Candidates)
* Geyre Foundation (archaeological excavations at Aphrodisias and the museum)
* TINA (Turkish Institute of Nautical Archaeology)
Ceylan Pirinçcioğlu, CEO of VIP, is an active member of:
* GYİAD (Young Managers’ and Businessmen’s Association), founding member
* YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization)
* WPO ( World President Organization)
* Ceo Club
* SKAL Turkey
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
2004: Tuvana Foundation for Educating Children (TOCEV) Cooperation and Support Award.
2005: Best Travel Agency award was given to ISEVV, a consortium of companies including
VIP, that managed several large congresses
2009: SKALITE Best Incentive Travel Agency award given by SKAL Club
VIP Tourism has received and continues to receive numerous awards every year from hotels and airlines, according to the performance that year.
Destination
TURKEY: WHERE EAST MEETS WEST
Istanbul is unique; nowhere else has the geography of a city dictated its history with quite such spectacular results. Strategically situated at the intersection of two great continents, it is one of the focal points of world history - military, religious, commercial and cultural.
Truly one of the greatest incentive destinations, Istanbul is an exciting blend of eastern architecture with its minarets, domes and bustling bazaars contrasting with luxury modern hotels and offices.
The view down onto the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, especially at night, rivals the greatest panoramas of the world; Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro and even the skyline of Manhattan.
Example Programme
Istanbul
A country of incredible geographic diversity, modern infrastructure, a rich cultural and historical heritage, competitively priced accommodation and top class facilities for travellers Turkey was the meeting point of the three world’s great civilizations, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, former centre of Christendom, the crossroads of Asia and Europe. This land of seas, mountain ranges, high plateaus and fertile river valleys is the dividing line between the Orient and the Occident.
DAY 1
Arrival of the guests ….
Guests will be welcomed at Istanbul Atatürk Airport outside the customs area by uniformed VIP staff according to your needs.
Guests will be assisted to the transportation vehicles. VIP will handle luggage after the customs area to the vehicles. The type and number of vehicles to be used will be decided depending on the arrival flight schedule.
Private check-in at the hotel.
Guests are pre-registered and given the corresponding room keys once they arrive to the hotel. The desk will be attended by English speaking staff.
Evening
Departure from the Hotel.
Welcome Cocktail before dinner & private Bosprous Cruise.
Dinner at Flowers Market
A memorable evening, where you enjoy your dinner with the local people in a newly renovated arcade of 10 restaurants, in the part of town, that was the centre of city life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Spontaneous entertainment by strolling musicians, flower girls and street sellers, a unique experience that you really should not miss.
DAY 2
Open buffet breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Old City.
Treasures of Istanbul Tour (Full Day)
09:00 Departure from the hotel
09:30 - 10:15
Visit Hippodrome where the chariot races have been organised during Roman Empire. Visit Blue Mosque; the most splendid mosque in the city, built in the early 17th century, distinguished by six slender minarets and walls covered with blue Iznik tiles.
10:30 - 11:15
Visit St. Sophia Museum.
The Church of Holy Wisdom is undoubtedly one of the greatest architectural creations in the world. Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian circa AD535, it was transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1453. Now a museum, it is awesome in size and contains beautiful preserved Byzantine mosaics.
11:30 - 13:15
Visit Topkapı Palace with Treasury Section.
The legendary palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. In addition to its historical and architectural interest, it houses extraordinary collections of porcelains, armour, fabrics, jewellery, miniatures, calligraphy, and many precious objects and works of art that once belonged to the sultans and their court.
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch at Green House Restaurant
Walking distance to the Topkapı Palace and has a mansion style decoration.
15:00 - 17:00
Visiting Grand Bazaar; world famous shopping centre where you will have shopping opportunities for carpets, jewellery, leather & spices.
Evening
Dinner at Suada Kebab
This small island on the Bosphorus hosts Suda Kebap with its chefs brought specially from Antep and its decor elegant. The menu comprises of specialty kebabs, small plates (mezes) and salads. The location and atmosphere is ideal for group meals and mini-event.
DAY 3
Sailing Tour to Princes Islands (Full day)
The Princess Islands are a combination of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul. Motorists are not permitted on the islands except the ones belonging to the local municipality for public works, therefore you have to walk or rent a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
These four islands are called in general as Adalar (Islands) in Turkish and their names are; Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada.
Dinner at Esma Sultan Palace
![Esma Sultan 1[2]](../Images/Turkey/Turkey_clip_image030.jpg)
Esma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdülhamit I, was born in 1778. She was one of the most intellectual women of her time and reputed to have been an active social life. Located on the beautiful banks of Bosphorus in Ortaköy. The building has been covered with glass and the interior can now be used as a year - around venue.
DAY 4
DEPARTURES
Breakfast and Check out at the hotel.
Transfer to Airport.
The departure transfer is arranged according to the time of flight, traffic and weather conditions.
Suggested Sightseeing
Blue Mosque
Istanbul's imperial Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I (Sultan Ahmet Camii) is called the Blue Mosque because of its interior tiles, mostly on the upper level and difficult to see unless you're right up there with them.The mosque (built 1603-17) is the masterwork of Ottoman architect Sedefkâr Mehmet Aga. It's built on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium, on the southeastern side of the Hippodrome.
St. Sophia Museum
Hagia Sophia or Holy Wisdom is the mother church of all Eastern Christians of the Byzantine liturgical tradition both Orthodox and Greek Catholic. The first church on the site was built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantine, who had liberated the Christian faith from centuries of persecution. Constantius' church was consecrated in 360 AD. At first it was known as the Great Church because it was the largest at the time. Later it became known as Holy Wisdom, a name attributed to Christ by theologians of the 4th century.
Topkapı Palace
In 1465, Sultan Mehmet, The Conqueror of Istanbul, ordered the construction of the first palace; his successors added new pavilions, thus spreading the palace to a total area of 70,000 sqm. The Ottoman Sultans lived in and reined the empire from this palace until the 19th century. Today a museum, the kitchens house 12,000 pieces of porcelain including a rare Chinese porcelain collection. The treasury section displays one of the richest selections of jewels and precious stones and gold objects. The visit through the palace also leads to the collection of clocks, the relics of the prophet and the Baghdad kiosk, which is a beautiful sample of Ottoman interior.
Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahce Palace became the main Palace of the Empire when it was built is a conglomeration of European architectural styles. Built in the mid 19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit II, Dolmabahce Palace has an impressive 600 meters frontage on the Bosphorus. The most important section is the vast reception saloon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier weighing 4 ½ tons and lit by 750 lights. Well-kept, beautiful gardens surround this seaside palace.
Master Piece of Byzatine Mosaics – Chora Museum
The building in its present form was completed in the 11th century and adorned with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The mosaics follow an iconographic order and have a rare quality. When in the 15th century the church was converted to a mosque after the conquest by the Ottomans, these were covered by whitewash; ironically enough, the Islam faith, which forbids representation of human figures, preserved them until our century. After becoming a museum in 1950 it has been restored and cleaned by the Byzantine Institute of the U.S.A., the mosaics were revealed in their original brightness.
Spice –Egyptian Bazaar
One of the oldest covered bazaars in Istanbul, the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü located behind the Yeni Mosque and next to the flower market, was established by Sultan Turhan, and designed by architect Kazim Aga. It was given a new lease of life by the Municipality of Istanbul after its restoration between 1940 and 1943. It sells herbs, spices, a variety of natural medicines, and plant and flower seeds. Beside these traditional commodities, one can now find a large range of dried fruits and nuts, cheeses, meats and other foods.
Basilica-Undergrond Cistern
This cistern is thought to have been built after the Nika revolt in 532 AD. It was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. After the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, it was forgotten of and nobody knew that it existed. Re-discovered in 1545, it was used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. Today it has a rather eerie and mystical ambiance. Clever spotlighting makes the water shimmer with colored dancing lights and the water ripples from an occasional fish swishing its tail in exuberance. This magnificent museum is open to private functions exclusively.
Private Bosprous Cruise:
The Bosphorus is a winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along its shores is a delightfully surprising mixture of past and present, grand splendor and simple beauty. The shore is lined with modern hotels as well as antique wooden houses, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. The best way to see the Bosphorus is to take a cruise in a deluxe yacht.
Shopping at Grand Bazaar:
The present alleys and galleries emerged as these areas were roofed over by tiled vaults. First time visitors to the Covered Bazaar are astounded by its splendor and size (30.7 hectares). The bazaar contains 3,000 shops, 25,000 full time staff, 61 streets and even two mosques.
Relax & Revitalize Your Body at the Traditional Turkish Bath
Turkish Bath or Hamam, originally purified the soul as well as the body and have always been an important part of the Turkish culture. It also used to be a social event, a gathering point among the people for years, which has to be experienced once in a lifetime. A relaxing and rejuvenating experience, the Turkish bath begins once the guests have undressed in private changing rooms and have been given a large cloth resembling a thin tower. This is the so called bath wrapper (pestemal) and guests will be able to take one home with them. During the Turkish bath session, guests will be in a warm and humid room, where they will be doused with warm water lathered, and massaged with a kese, a especially rough bath glove.
Theme Party Ideas for Incentives
TURQUERIES PARTY©” CONCEPT
Meticulously created for you with the inspiration from every element of Turkish culture of living...
Table settings, divans, sofas, cushions, pillows, tents, domes, the “nahıl” tree, copper bowls, serving trays, and authentic dishes will bring to you the glory of the Ottoman festivities. In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire was the most important country of the world and the Westerners were greatly under the influence of the colors of this world. This influence can be seen in Moliére’s works (1622-1673), the famous playwright of the Classical French Literature.
A Few Extra Touches
- Enjoy Istanbul view from the roof of Galata Tower
- Drink Turkish Tea and Eat Simit
- Eat Kebab and Drink Turkish Raki
- Horse Carriage Tour at Princess Island
Convention Centres
The Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC)
The Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC) has everthing you need to organise memorable and successful congresses and exhibitions in the imperial city of Istanbul. The only place in Istanbul where 3,500 delegates can sit down together for a five-star gala dinner, ICEC offers you an outstanding combination of state-of-the-art facilities and superior service. Istanbul's Largest Ballroom and Auditorium; ICEC's brand new Rumeli Fair & Exhibition Hall features Istanbul's largest Ballroom measuring 2,100 square meters, which includes simultaneous translation in eleven languages, full audio-visual support and more. The ballroom also divides easily into two smaller ballrooms using sound-proof seperators. For large receptions , the Ballroom can be combined with Rumeli's 1,100 square metre and 900 square meter foyers or the foyers can be used staging and registration areas.
Haliç Congress Center
Imagine a meeting venue by the sea where urban sounds mingle with the cries of gulls and waves lapping against the shores of the Haliç Congress Center; an unforgettable scenic location where you can take a break from the chaotic city without actually having to leave it.
As one of the few venues in the world where indoor, outdoor and waterfront events can be held simultaneously, the Haliç Congress Center stands out with its low-slung architecture. Spread out over an area of 102,000 m2, with 16,000 m2 of outdoor space, the Haliç Congress Center is comprised of four main interconnecting structures called Sadabad, Kuleli, Pera and Haliç.
Capable of accommodating up to 30,000 guests for all types of organizations, the Haliç Congress Center bears the distinction as the convention center which offers the most alternatives available in İstanbul. Its halls, auditoriums, foyers and outdoor areas are the most sought after for holding conventions, meetings, conferences, product launchings, exhibits / fairs, cocktail parties, wedding receptions, film galas and special theatrical performances.
Harbiye Congress Centre
Built in İstanbul, Harbiye Congress Center has a total indoor area of 119.560 m² including Muhsin Ertuğrul Theater with an area of 8.610 m² as well as the Congress Center which is 110.950 m².
Harbiye Congress Center, built with an investment of 230.860.118 Turkish Liras, is constructed with 7 floors below the ground and 5 floors above the ground which add up to a total of 12 floors. Within Harbiye Congress Center, a big congress hall for 3500 people, 5 multipurpose halls each of which is 4000m², 1000 offices, 11 meeting halls of which are at various sizes, an area of 3000 m² as foyer, an area of 31800m² for various purposes and a parking lot for 800 cars are located.
Welcome Gifts
- The book of Istanbul- named “All about Istanbul”
- Traditional Turkish Tile Cup with Turkish Deligh
- Turkish Bath Set
- Organic Olive Oil and Spice set
- Wooden Box with Turkish Delight