Holiday itinerary
This amazing 7 night/8 day belly dancing holiday set in Istanbul, one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world, uncovers the secrets and mysteries of belly dancing and enchanting oriental rhythms whilst offering the unique opportunity to discover ancient palaces, bazaars and Turkish cuisine in all its authenticity.
World renowned, professional and experienced Turkish performers, dancers and musicians will give 10 hours of dance classes over 5 days, where you will learn authentic belly dancing techniques and choreography with a chance to perform at your own individual belly dance show on the last evening.
You will not only cover belly dancing over the week, Turkish folk dances, gypsy dance and oriental rhythm workshops are all included to ensure you develop your creative instincts and to deepen your understanding and knowledge of belly dancing as an art form.
During this memorable belly dancing holiday your host Burcu will ensure that all elements of your experience are planned with love and enthusiasm, sharing with you her passion for music, dance and Turkish culture.
Accommodation is set in the magnificent 4* Konak hotel in the centre of the bohemian district of Istanbul. Each en-suite room is beautifully decorated offering all modern luxuries and is in the perfect location to explore the rest of the vibrant and captivating city, steeped in culture and history. Please note in cases of no availability, an alternative hotel of a similar high standard will be provided.
Get more from your authentic belly dancing holiday and enjoy the Turkish sights, flavours and experiences, from this beautiful area to treasure for a lifetime.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from complete beginners to professionals looking to develop and experience a new style
- Minimum age 18
- The course is mainly focused on belly dancing but also includes Turkish folk dancing and oriental rhythms
- The courses is open to both ladies and men, those who prefer not to dance will learn basic rhythms to accompany the dancers
Travelling Solo?
- Belly dancing holidays make a great singles holidays as it is the perfect opportunity to meet other like minded travellers
- You can share a room with another guest of the same sex if you prefer not to pay the single supplement (subject to availability)
- Private rooms for sole occupancy can be reserved with a single supplement see costing and extras for more information
Belly Dancing Holiday Start Days
- Holidays begin on the first Sundays of every month
- Belly dancing holidays are for 7 nights/8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- All holidays are on request so please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Belly Dancing Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
** NOTE: You can upgrade your package with a range of optional extra activities. These options are described below and can be added during the booking process.
Day 1- Arrival and welcome dinner
- Upon arrival at Istanbul airport you will be met at the airport and transferred to your beautiful hotel located in the heart of the city
- After checking in and refreshing, you will meet your teachers in the evening along with guides and the rest of the group
- Tonight you will celebrate your arrival with a welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant in famous and beautiful Taksim
Day 2 - Belly dancing classes
- After a delicious breakfast you will be transferred to the studio for your first belly dancing class lasting 2 hours (the studio is located a 5 minute drive from the hotel, and transfers are included in the course price)
- The evening is yours to explore and find one of the many great places to dine, relaxing in time for your next day of dance classes
*OPTIONAL itinerary upgrade
- After changing and refreshing you will drive to Sultanahmet to start exploring the city
- You will first pay a visit to Hippodrome where the chariots were used to race in the Byzantine times and continue on to the Old City
- You will also enjoy a guided tour of the Palace which features precious ornaments from Ottoman Empire and Islam
- You will visit the treasury where you will see one of the biggest diamonds in the world
- The next stop is Blue Mosque, this is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets and takes its name from the blue tiles used for decorating its walls and dome
Day 3 - Belly dancing and Turkish rhythms
- After breakfast you will enjoy your second belly dancing and rhythm class lasting 1 hour
- In the afternoon you will experience a totally new style of rhythm and dance learning roman dance and rhythms where you will be taught the famous 9/8 Turkish rhythm during your 1 hour of classes
*OPTIONAL itinerary upgrade
- Following the lesson you will be in for an amazing shopping experience visiting the Grand Bazaar
- Apart from enjoying the maze of streets you will also be taken to a costume shop to help you find your belly dancing outfit for the final performance (if you want) from a famous belly dance outfit designer
Day 4 - Belly dancing and Turkish rhythms
- After breakfast you will be taken to the studio for belly dancing and rhythm workshop that lasts 2 hours
*OPTIONAL itinerary upgrade
- Today you will be crossing to another continent to the other side of the Bosphorous and heading to Kadikoy
- You will enjoy a walk along the streets of Kadikoy a very popular area for locals with a huge fish and vegetable market, a large street for shopping and many bars
- Here you will eat a delicious lunch of local dishes in one of the restaurants or a snack from the many street shops of Kadikoy
- You will then head to Camlica Hill to enjoy an amazing view of the city
- After paying a visit to Uskudar you will return to Europe and get ready for an evening meal
Day 5 – Belly dancing and Turkish folk dance
- You will enjoy breakfast as usual at the hotel
- After lunch you will enjoy 2 hours of belly dance and Turkish folk dances workshops
*OPTIONAL itinerary upgrade
- In the morning you will head to the old city to visit more of the impressive monuments including Aya Sophia museum and the museum by Ataturk, famous for the beautiful frescoes and mosaics
- Later you will visit the traditional underground water waterworks of the city, now beautifully restored it provides a unique and mystical atmosphere
Day 6 - Belly dancing and rhythm classes
- In the morning after breakfast you will enjoy another series of dance classes belly dance and rhythm classes lasting 2 hours
*OPTIONAL itinerary upgrade
- You will spend the afternoon cruising along the Bosphorus on private boat enjoying snacks and drinks will be served on the boat while we are enjoying the beautiful views of mosques, palaces and old houses along the shore
- You have the evening free to dine in one of Istanbul’s fantastic restaurants
Day 7 - Finale evening and performance
- You have the day free
- This is a big day and after your free time during the day, you are welcome to participate in the evening’s performance to the audience tonight
- At the end of the day you and your fellow guests will go to the club where you will do you performance together
- You will be performing among other professional belly dancers, if you prefer not to participate, you are more than welcome to help with preparations or watch the show with the rest of the audience
- After a successful performance, enjoy an after show party in one of the most popular clubs of Istanbul playing authentic tunes to celebrate!
Day 8 - Departure
- Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to the next destination
Your Belly Dancing Tutors And Host
- Passionate about belly dancing, music percussion and other dance styles teachers bring a wide range of skills and are passionate and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with guests
- August will be taught by Ozgen: an internationally acclaimed Turkish dancer, teacher, choreographer and director
- Specialising in Turkish Oriental and romany gypsy dance, Ozgen is regularly invited to give workshops in Britain and abroad performing at worldwide dance events and belly dance festivals across Europe, North and South America, and Asia
- Other dance tutors include Polat who performed more than 1000 stage performances in more than 60 countries and is a professional dancer, musician and percussionist
- Sarah who has been a dance lover since childhood and mastered several dance styles including jazz, afro, oriental and Indian as well a belly dancing of course!
- Since 2006, she has been performing with a famous ethnic Turkish band throughout Europe
- Your host Burcu is fun and friendly and also passionate about music, dance and Turkish culture, organising every element of your holiday with care and attention she offers the quintessential Turkish hospitality
What Will I Learn?
- During your lessons you will cover belly dancing, gypsy and roman dance as long as Arabic and Turkish rhythms from talented Turkish belly dancers
- You will gain a good understanding of belly dancing technique, style, combinations, moves and the cultural aspect of this ancient dance
- Along with technique, a choreography will also be created during the workshops to be performed to audience in the end if you wish
- The gypsy dance will cover styles of folk, Aegean, Black Sea and regional dance
- You will learn how to move the belly, torso and the chest in the authentic method, improving your sense of control and rhythm
- The experience of belly dancing together with the beautiful outfits and magnificent Turkish and Arabic rhythms is a truly unique experience and a great way of keeping fit
What To Wear?
- Belly dancing is generally performed barefoot
- You’ll be provided with colourful belly dancing hip scarves to wear during your classes, or you are welcome to bring your own costumes for the classes
- You will also be provided with a set of finger cymbals
- You can also buy an array of costumes in Istanbul with some of the most famous belly dancing costume designers set in the Grand Bazaar
The Accommodation And Spa - 4* Konak Hotel
- Accommodation is set in the beautiful 4* boutique Konak hotel
- Located right in the centre of Istanbul it is ideal for exploring the area
- All rooms are modern, beautifully decorated with all mod cons
- Rooms are furnished to the highest standards
- There is access to free wifi in the hotel
- Daily maid service is included and free internet connection is available
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in anytime on arrival on day 1 and check out by 11noon on day 8
- The hotel boasts a beautiful spa with Turkish baths and massage room sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath
- You will have free access to all the spas facilities
- The especially designed massage room will offer you a wide selection of massages to energise your body and you soul
- In cases of no availability, an alternative hotel of a similar high standard will be provided.
- Private rooms for sole occupancy can be reserved with a single supplement
Meals
Breakfast
- A delicious open buffet breakfast will be provided at the hotel each morning
Dinner
- You will enjoy 1 welcome dinner
- Istanbul is full of fantastic restaurants to suit all budgets
Practise belly dancing in the Turkish paradise of Istanbul, immerse yourself in the history rhythms and the culture take time out for yourself on this belly dancing holiday with a difference.