One Day in Princes' Islands – RY Marketplace
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Highlights – Culture & History – Visit Princes’ Islands – Explore the biggest islands Büyükada and get to know the culture around it
– Sunset at the top of the island, next to Monastery
Description
Princes’ Islands is the number one escape plan for many Istanbul residents when the city life becomes stressful. A short ride (30 mins) from Kadıköy takes you to to the quiet, peaceful and green environment of the island. There are four islands next to each other and the biggest one is called Büyükada meaning “The Big Island. A century ago, Büyükada was popular especially among Istanbul’s Jews and Europeans to pass the summertime. The eclectic style houses they built and the laid-back lifestyle they brought to the island takes you back in time. You will walk through the streets of the islands, decorated with trees and flowers, have lunch at one of the best restaurants, admire the architecture of the wooden houses (such as Leon Trotsky house or former Greek orphanage) and learn about their history. Our visit will end at the top of the island, by the Greek Orthodox Church Aya Yorgi/St.
George by watching the sunset with the stunning view of Istanbul and the archipelago.
Who This Experience Is Good For
Anyone interested in history, religion and would like to have a relaxing day out.
Itinerary
12:00 Meet at Moda Pier to go to Büyükada. 12:30 Guided island tour 14:00 Late lunch 15:30 Free time 16:00 Walking to the top (Free time for the ones not going to the top) 18:33 Sunset 18:45 Walk down to the center of Büyükada 20:15 Go back to Moda-Kadıköy
Difficulty Level
Medium-Hard, 1 km hike in hill to the top of the island after walking approx. 1 hour.
*Anyone who doesn’t feel like hiking, there are electric buses to near the top (queueing expected) but there will still be 20 min of steep hike to the top.
Meet Our Local Host
Şermin Utku born and raised in Istanbul. Educated at American Academy for Girls, Istanbul, Earlham College, Richmond, IN (peace and global studies and biochemistry ID), and Boğaziçi University, Istanbul. She is an active member of Purple Roof Women’s Shelter and Servas International, Turkish branch. She enjoys going on nature walks, visiting archeological sites, discovering new aspects of biological sciences and meeting new people. She has been conducting tours in Turkey for GCT since 1996.
What’s Included – Tour guide – Transport to the island.
– Lunch with a glass of wine/raki/beer/soft drink.
What’s Not Included
– Anything not mentioned above
Know Before You Go
– Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, maybe a backpack with water and snacks if you think you will need them. – Weather Dependent: Yes, if there is strong wind or heavy rain the tour might be postponed or cancelled. – Special Dietary Restrictions: Set menu with meat/fish/vegetarian/vegan options. Talk to us if you are a vegan. – During the night weather might be chilly, best to get a sweat shirt or a jacket. – Extra Cash: Needed for tipping / shopping
Minimum To Operate
7 people
Maximum Capacity
28 people
Deadline to Book
7 days prior to the start of the experience. What is the refund policy? Within 24 hours of bookingWe’ll always refund your booking upon request to [email protected]
After 24 hours & before the booking deadline
A cancellation fee may be applied depending on the circumstances, if the experience can go ahead. If this is the case, the total refund minus the cancellation fee will be issued in Marketplace Credit or deducted from your next month’s invoice. The fee and preferred refund option will be communicated via email with [email protected]
After the booking deadline
By this point we will have definitely made promises and financial commitments on your behalf and so cancellation fees may be up to 100%. What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?
Let’s be real – no one can control the weather, and sometimes things just don’t go as planned. But don’t worry, your City Manager is here to help and will do their best to come up with a solution if an event is affected. We understand that everyone’s schedule is different, so while we can’t guarantee a make-up option will work for everyone, we promise to try our hardest. If you’re unable to attend the make-up date, no problem – we’ll give you a full refund for your booking.
I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?
Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.
Can I book for a friend / family member?
Sure! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. We do, however, reserve the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using RY Services.
I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help?
Please reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll help. In some cases, you may have multiple emails associated on the Marketplace and this is causing some confusion. Reach out and we’ll do our best to sort it out!
If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
Yes, you may transfer your booking to another Nation Member or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved.
Will I be able to work on this experience?
If you have to check in with work at any point during the scheduled time, we recommend confirming with the City Manager before booking.
I’m a Nation Member but not on an active program, can I still book?
We will always prioritize Remotes who are traveling with an active program on experiences. You may be able to book but there is a chance the City Manager will reach out to let you know we have to release your spot for an active Remote. If you’re in a city but not traveling with a program, we recommend reaching out to the City Manager on the Hub to confirm before booking.