An experience you will never forget by way of the MEP TOUCH! We bring a different perspective to a journey to Istanbul, for we don't believe that our guests measure their enjoyment simply on how many entrance tickets we provide. We craft a potpourri of experiences that are carefully woven together like a spider's web to create a memory that endures a lifetime. We offer each guest our unique MEP TOUCH that shares our history, our culture, our combined passion for life and our city, all mixed into a genuine and traditional desire to welcome you as a guest and a friend to our city that is Istanbul.   Istanbul does not yield its secrets easily. We know the visitor cannot begin to establish a rapport with our city if they limit their travels to just the well known tourist haunts. Yes, the Hagia Sophia, the Chora Church, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the world famous Grand Covered Bazaar are all a "must see" but as our guest you'll experience Istanbul as an Istanbulli, not as a tourist. We at MEP love our city and know where to go and how to really experience it. So we apply the MEP Touch to let you feel it through the eyes and heart of an Istanbulli to get the utmost enjoyment. Have a NICE ISTANBUL!   MEP TOUCH: Personalised greeting and exclusive welcome on arrival Transfer to the hotel by boat while savoring welcome cocktails, such as pomegranate juice in iced glasses - served to the accompaniment of the wistful melodies of a saxophonist.  Alternatively, another option is to travel in the style of a bygone age, in one of or 1950-vintage American cars (Dolmushes). Relish the sincere, warm welcome by the smiling faces in the many deluxe 5-Star international hotels that increase in number everyday (Kempinski, Four Seasons the Bosphorus, Ritz-Carlton, Swissotel, Conrad, Hyatt, Intercontinental) or the boutique Hotels like the Four seasons Old City, Les Ottomans, Sofa, Ajia, W, Park Hyatt and many more...   MEP TOUCH: Exclusive excursions Historical Old City with a concert at St.Irini Church made possible with special permission, followed by a visit to the Topkapi Palace with a curator. OR, on a Tuesday when the Topkapi Palace is closed to the public we can offer you an exclusive entrance to journey back in time and experience life as the sultans did. OR The World of Contrasts - St. Chora, Suleymaniye Mosque. OR Baroque Splendour of Dolmabahce Palace. OR the Private Art collection of Sabanci Museum. OR Bosphorus in Style with a Deluxe Gulette Boat... the list goes on, limited only by the time you have to spend with us.   MEP TOUCH: Breakfast How about skipping the hotel breakfast and starting the day with a Breakfast at Ortakoy, an old Jewish settlement with well preserved historical houses and narrow streets? Now a fun dining, shopping and recreation area with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, street markets, parks and a flea market set up every day; OR Breakfast at the Underground Cistern; OR a Breakfast Cruise...?   MEP TOUCH: Off the metropolis When we're in the mood to escape the big city stress and instead take in some fresh air, we go to the Princes' Archipelago. Once a series of Greek fishing villages and the private retreat for the Sultans it's now the Turks' summer resort area. Buyukada -Principo- is the last one of the four islands and Isa Tepesi -Christ Hill- is where the 18th century Orthodox Monastery (St. George Kaudounas) is located. Take an early boat from Kabatas Adalar Iskelesi to Buyukada. After a 1.5-hour long journey you'll find yourself in a paradise. Take a horse car (motor vehicles are not allowed on the islands) to Luna Park and then walk up the hill to Aya Yorgi. Visit the monastery and enjoy the scenery while having inexpensive local food and wine. You may also take a horse car to Marika's Restaurant at Viranbag and be sure to ask for "borek" and "kofte". Your carriage will wait for you but don't forget to offer some food and a beer to your driver (and his horse!). After lunch continue the tour of the island ending at the pier. (Ask for the long tour)   MEP TOUCH: Let's Go Shopping Let's Go Shopping with MEP in this city that's a Shoppers' Paradise, ranging from the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market to award winning shopping malls and the most exclusive boutiques. How about an afternoon tea in an Ottoman House in the Antique Market in Cukurcuma while enjoying the kilims and the Ottoman furniture?  We Love our Street Markets! Indistinguishable replicas of Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Pierre Cardin, Diesel, G-Star and Louis Vuitton bags and suitcases;  shirts, t-shirts, jeans, sweat-shirts; Rolex and Cartier wrist watches (and surprisingly they work and keep good time). All can be found on the street markets' colorful stalls that sit side by side in no particular order at unbelievable prices and still you can bargain. No one can tell the difference between the genuine and the not-quite-so-genuine (the genuine can be found on Abdi Ipekci Caddesi at Nisantasi area at prices still considered competitive).  The markets are set up early in the morning and go on till sunset, on Saturdays at Besiktas Pazari; Tuesdays at Aksaray Pazari, Tophane Pazari; Wednesdays at Fatih Pazari, Ortakoy Pazari. Also, we should not forget Nisantasi, the fashionable district. All the known brands such us Gucci, Cartier, Tods, but also Turkish brands, Turkish Designers like Gonul Paksoy, Yargici , Tuvana and many more.    MEP TOUCH: Turkish Cuisine Turkish Cuisine is considered to be one of the three great cuisines in the world and for many its gourmet delights, its potpourri of flavors, are reason enough to visit Istanbul. Let MEP whet your taste buds with an array of specialities at the most lively Off-site dinners and events we arrange in unique venues to guarantee memorable nights. Some on a luxurious yacht or in a superb restaurant or at a dreamlike party. The atmosphere and the aromas may change, but the excitement goes on…! Eat at the Meyhane's, traditional restaurants where most of us go to eat 'mezes' (variety of oriental hors d'oeuvres) to talk nonsense and get drunk. Asmalimescit is the district to be in if you are looking for a meyhane for there you'll discover many side by side, but Yakup and Refik are our two favourites. Or Dine for Taste. There are many chic restaurants in Istanbul and one we love is Korfez, which has a unique location on the shores of the Asian side. A typical way of getting there, by boat, will drop you off on the private wharf of this very chic restaurant. Sea-Bass in salt is very popular but our favourites are the to-die-for hot appetizers -- fish patties 'kofte', scampi Danieli and shrimp in grape leaves.  Another favorite restaurant is Beyti, famous for its grilled meat specialities.   MEP TOUCH: Closing Night For the Closing Night - Imperial Majesty and Splendour at a Palace Garden -- one long Imperial Table where everyone feels like Royalty, eating at the Sultan's head table set up in the Beylerbeyi Palace Garden, OR at Esma Sultan Mansion where we'll design a very special event. OR A Magic Carpet Ride - The Grand Bazaar Street Party, where the Grand Bazaar will remain open for MEP guests only for us to organize catering and entertainment for a spectacular event.  OR The Pomp of the Ottoman Feast in the 1001 Cistern, OR A Theme from the '60's in Çiragan Palace, OR Gypsy Night in Kumkapi streets for up to 3000 guests. All organised and executed with the consistent flair and care and attention to detail that is the unique MEP Touch!   MEP TOUCH: Come dance with us While having a wonderful time during the day in Istanbul remember to leave some energy for the twilight hours. Istanbul is a city that never sleeps, and that's a fact! Especially around Istiklal Caddesi and Tunel, where you can find rundown rock bars and chic, cool nightclubs side by side, all pulsating 24/7. Bars with live music are full of people dancing until 4 o'clock in the morning, even during the week. Most of the bars in Beyoglu, especially on weekdays, don't have entrance fees, so if you fancy a change of mood or music just pop next door until your fancy takes you elsewhere again. No matter where you go the music will be loud and live and the atmosphere vibrant.  Music lovers adore Beyoglu's many nightclubs such as Hayal Kahvesi Beyoglu, Ghetto and Babylon. Local and international live bands play all genres, from Jazz to soul, electronic to hard rock. The luxurious clubs along the Bosphorus such as Reina, Sortie and Blackk offer gourmet food, cocktails and long hours of dancing but our favourite thing to do is sipping our drinks at sunset. The monthly programs for these venues can be found online. And finally, the mark of a real Istanbulli is to end up at one of the 24-hour burger joints where the infamous "wet burgers" quickly replenish the calories spent partying!   Team Building in Istanbul - the sky is the limit. Numerous activities, from Dragon Boat race to James Bond to treasure hunts in the Grand Bazaar and Sailing Regattas. Email meptur@meptur.com.tr and ask for tailor made programs for your Groups.   Festivals Spring is the beginning of a long festival season in Istanbul and so be sure if you are visiting during spring or summer to check on the festivals happening while you're there. From April to September the ?stanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts organizes many festivals celebrating the arts such as international jazz, music, theatre and film. The ?stanbul International Independent Film Festival in February and the Akbank Jazz Festival in October are two festivals that attract thousands of international guests. If you get the opportunity try to see a concert at the spectacular and beautiful Hagia Irene.