We also consider participants travelling with spouses, family members, or guests. The Accompanying Person Program is designed as a two-days experience that brings together Istanbul’s historic bazaars, the multicultural neighbourhoods along the Golden Horn, and selected heritage landmarks. The itinerary is planned to ensure a comfortable flow throughout the day and will be delivered with a professional guide, providing context and storytelling at each stop. 28 October 2026 | 10:00 - 16:30 Day 1 begins with a visit to the Spice Bazaar, located in Eminönü behind the New Mosque. As one of Istanbul’s oldest covered markets, it remains closely associated with herbalists and traditional trade, where spices, natural remedies, seeds and rare plant products continue to be sold in line with long-standing customs. The current structure dates back to the 17th century and has undergone major historical events, including fires and subsequent restorations; its distinctive L-shaped layout and multiple entrances are characteristic features of Istanbul’s historic bazaar architecture. The programme continues with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, participants will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. With thousands of shops and a vibrant network of streets that reflect centuries of artisan culture, the Grand Bazaar offers a unique opportunity to experience Istanbul’s traditional commercial life and urban memory while browsing a wide selection of distinctive Turkish goods. 29 October 2026 | 10:00 - 18:00 Participants will then explore the streets of Fener, known for their historic houses, wooden mansions and lively atmosphere that reflects the multicultural past of the city. The programme includes a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, followed by time in Balat, once home to a large Jewish community. Here, participants will observe traces of historic synagogues and neighbourhood life alongside antique shops, art corners and colourful houses that define the district’s character. Later in the day, the itinerary includes a visit to the iconic Iron Church, officially known as the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen. Built entirely from prefabricated cast iron elements in the 19th century, it stands as a rare architectural landmark on the shores of the Golden Horn. The programme concludes with Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, a remarkable 500-year-old heritage site that reopened in 2023 following an extensive restoration. Commissioned by the renowned Ottoman admiral Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha and built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent, the hammam is now reintroduced as a distinctive cultural destination within the historic Zeyrek district. Overall, this two-day programme offers accompanying guests a curated way to experience Istanbul beyond the conference schedule combining historic sites, local neighbourhoods and cultural heritage through guided storytelling and well-paced routes.
Day 2 focuses on the Fener - Balat corridor, one of the most vivid areas for experiencing Istanbul’s layered cultural heritage. The day begins at the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols, a Byzantine-era church known locally as the “Bloody Church.” It is often noted as the only Byzantine church in Istanbul that has remained continuously in the hands of the Greek Orthodox community since 1453.
Koyu Mod: