Recent Events

Istanbul Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Turkey Grand Prix has taken place in Istanbul Park for the second time between August 25-27, 2006. Turkey earmarked US$2 million for the event's advertising expenditures both in the country and abroad. The occupancy rate in hotels remains the same as last year, when 45,000 foreign race lovers brought Turkey US$120 million in revenue.  

In the News

Delta Airlines Sky Magazine

Delta Airlines in flight Magazine announc ed Turkey as its August Destination to fly. The article covers “year of the Mevlana” and the selection of Istanbul as Europe’s Cultural Capital in 2010. The article by Karen M.Alley says Istanbul, the biggest city in Turkey, is a microcosm of the juxtaposition of ancient history and modern life found in all of Turkey. World-class hotels, wonderful restaurants and modern museums.

Around the Country

Mevlana Train to Tour Europe

UNESCO has announce the year 2007 as the year of Mevlana, T urkey's celebrated 13th century mystic and theologian. The Mevlana Love, Tolerance and Culture Train will travel across Europe for three months, The trip will include an introduction to Mevlana, his philosophy, Sufi music concerts and sema rituals. The train will travel through 16 countries and stop in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, France, Italy, Macedonia and Greece.

New York Times Magazine

The travel supplement of the New York Times wrote a story titled "The St. Tropez of Turkey", and depicted Aegean town of Bodrum, and its hamlet Turkbuku. According to the story, Turkbuku is hosting not only Turkish but also world celebrities thanks to its modern five-star hotels, boutique hotels, luxurious restaurants, bars and entertainment places. Many celebrities including Uma Thurman, Ivana Trumph, Paris Hilton, Michael Douglas, Prince Charles, Kenzo Takada, Jeffrey Steiner are choosing Turkbuku as a touristic destination, it said.

CNN Traveller

International travel magazine CNN Traveller features Istanbul on the front cover of its July-August issue. Dan Hayes’ article on Turkey ad dresses the modern.

face of Istanbul, Istanbul's cultural and culinary life and Turkey's unique relation with the West. He also introduces the Istanbul Modern Art Museum.

The Observer

In Istanbul, history and tradition are piled layer upon layer. Stately palaces, mosques and cathedrals lie beside chaotic bazaars, steaming hamams and nargile joints. Ottoman Constantinople sits easily with ancient Byzantium, but emerging on top of them is a new stratum: Istanbul the cool.  If you go to Istanbul expecting belly dancers, you might be surprised to find yourself watching the sunrise at a nightclub on the Bosphorus; if you imagine a diet of greasy kebabs, you'll be stunned at the range of haute cuisine options fusing traditional Turkish food with cutting-edge international styles.  Read on…

Wonders of the World Odyssey

Ultra luxury, small-ship specialist Seabourn Cruise Line has announced two “Wonders of the World Odyssey” extended voyages aboard Seabourn Spirit. Departing from Istanbul on October 20, 2007, the 61-day “Wonders of the World Odyssey II” explores the ancient wonders of the eastern Mediterranean including Athens, Mycenae, Ephesus, Knossos and Pergamum before transiting the Suez Canal and visiting Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, ending at Hong Kong on December 20, 2007.

Turkish Airlines New Routes

Turkish Airlines has launched a new non-stop service between Istanbul and Singapore. With the new direct service, Turkish Airlines will be better positioned as a carrier of choice linking Singapore and Turkey as well as beyond to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the United States.

Following THY’s 24 new routes, their new target destinations are South Africa and South America.

Star Alliance

The airline, which has added 61 new planes to its fleet, has captured the attention of the aviation sector with its 24 new foreign flight destinations as well. As a result of these ventures, the Star Alliance of world airlines launched initiatives to add Turkish Airlines to its members.

New Properties

Adile Sultan Palace

The historical Adile Sultan Palace has been reopened. The palace, located on the Asian side of the Istanbul Strait, was constructed in 1876 by Sultan Abdulmecit in the name of his sister Adile Sultan.
It served as the Kandilli High School for Girls until a fire in 1986, after which it was abandoned.

The new venue of Istanbul accommodates a meeting / banquet hall for 500, a meeting hall for 200, a 1300 square meters hall for cocktails and exhibitions, 20 seminar rooms, a museum, a dining hall for 150 and a cafeteria for 60 people.

Les Ottomans

A new boutique hotel has opened by the Bosphorus. Hotel Les Ottomans - project respected the architectural style of the historical O ttoman Seaside Manor which was totally lost in an unfortunate fire in 1850.
The new hotel was constructed with the best available technology and was equipped with most luxurious amenities to respond to the requirements of its guests.

Hotel Les Ottomans is located at on the European side of the Bosphorus with 100 meters coastline and has only 16 presidential suites and 10 executive rooms.

ODS Summer Log

We began the summer season with our cruise groups from the United States. These smaller size ships are able to dock at several unique ports in the Eastern coast of Turkey such as Çanakkale, Dikilli, Kusadasi, Bodrum and finally Istanbul. Some of the fascinating landmarks the groups visit at these ports are the ancient cities of Pergamon, Ephesus, Pirene, Didyma and Miletus, not to mention the Ottoman and Byzantine works in Istanbul such as the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Our Congress Department organized and executed the 31. FEBS 2006 Congress on Bio Chemistry with 2300 participants. The congress took place in Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center or ICEC. The Congress Valley 4 & 5 Star Hotels were used. The opening ceremony staged the famous “Fire of Anatolia” Show, an incredible potpourri of folk dancing reflecting the Anatolian cultures and myths which surround them.
 
Our incentive department is now busy operating the social programs of the EFIC Congress on Pain such as the Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner and transfers & tours. Expected number of participants for this Congress is 2500.

Turkey has just hosted Formula 1 for the second time between August 25-27. The total number of people attending during the racing week was around 240,000. ODS handled the ground operations such as transfers, accommodations and evening functions of some of the automobile and petroleum companies participating in the event.

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Wine & Food

Turkish Wines

Doluca, one of the oldest wine producers in Turkey, has received first quality certificate in the Turkish winemaking industry. The certification, held by nearly 35,000 companies in more than 80 countries, is prestigious on the international platform. DOLUCA today, continues to present over 20 different products, with a 12 million bottle annual capacity. Paying as much as meticulous attention to consumer relations as to production quality.

Cappadocia Grape Harvest Festival

The Cappadocia region with its historical background and natural scenery  is one of the most important touristy places in Turkey. Göreme open-air museum is famous for its Byzantine Cave Churches, is famous for its potteries, and Ürgüp is famous for its historical buildings and vineyards.

Exploring Turkish Cuisine

For those who are engaged in culinary pursuits, the Turkish Cuisine is a very, curious one. The variety of dishes that make up the Cuisine, the ways they all come together in feast-like meals, and the evident intricacy of each craft offer enough material for life-long study and enjoyment. Whether in a humble home, at a famous restaurant, or at a dinner in a mansion, familiar patterns of this rich and diverse Cuisine are always present. It is a rare art, which satisfies your senses while reconfirming the higher order of society; community and culture.

 Inquire about our fascinating tours…