BCSC OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR ISTANBUL Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 April 2011
	This year's overseas Study Tour will visit Istanbul, Turkey; make sure you don't miss out on visiting Europe and Asia in the same day!		Bookings Are Open > Book your place on the tour now
	Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world, it's the fifth largest and has a population of 12.8 million. It is famously located on the Bosporus Straight at the crossroads of east and west, linking trade by land and sea between Europe and Asia. The city extends both on the European and on the Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. Its Grand Bazaar, dating from 1461, covers 60 hectares with over 60 covered streets and 4,400 shops and, together with the adjacent Spice Market is regarded by many as the world's first enclosed shopping centre. The City, like the country, is rapidly modernising and a new range of exciting Shopping Centres is emerging to provide a series of new shopping and lifestyle destinations. The tour will provide a visit to the best of the new centres and an opportunity also to see the historic sights of the City, a UNESCO World Heritage site and now European City of Culture for 2010.
	The itinerary will include:   Forum Istanbul: Istanbul’s newest shopping destination opened in November 2009, Istanbul and Europe's 'largest shopping and lifestyle centre'. 175,000 sq m of retail and leisure including IKEA, 265 brands and stores, a giant aquarium and the Magic Ice museum. Istinye Park: 2009 ICSC Award winner. 93,000 sq m of retail, restaurants and entertainment in three distinct elements combining external lifestyle and high end retail with three level enclosed shopping in a high quality environment. Kanyon: 2009 ICSC Merit Award. John Jerde designed lifestyle centre with innovative architecture, a striking street scene anchored by Harvey Nicholls and featuring 25 restaurants and a stunning entertainment building. Metro City: Opened in 2003 and only a short walk from its new competitor, Kanyon. Metro City offers 43,000 sq m of shopping on four levels anchored by Marks and Spencer and Top Shop.   Meydan: ICSC Sustainability Award 2009. A unique retail project and urban square with sustainable engineering featuring green meadow roofs, geothermal heating and cooling to 50 shops, restaurants and cinemas in the fast growing suburb of Umranye, on the Asian side. Palladium: Opened in 2008 and forming the regional centre of the also fast growing Kozyatagi district on the Asian side, Palladium features 38,000 sq m of shopping, restaurants, food court and entertainment in a delightful daylit interior. 212 Ontario Power Outlet: The newest addition to outlet retailing in Istanbul featuring 170 outlets, food court and cinemas in a multi level enclosed environment.   The attendance package booked on your behalf includes all flights to and from London (economy class), transfers, accommodation, and a group dinner on the Thursday evening.