7 NIGHTS 8 DAYS PRIVATE ERTUGRUL GHAZI TOUR (ISTANBUL – BURSA – KONYA)

- ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL

Overnight at Febor Hotel or similar 4 stars hotel for 3 nights on bed and breakfast basis

PRIVATE BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS

In the morning sightseeing tour in the old city of Constantine, Istanbul starts with Hippodrome Square where chariot races were once held in Roman Age and today one can see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus, Serpentine Column from Delphi and the marvelous Underground Cistern built in order to solve water supply problem nearby. Followed by a visit to the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture St. Sophia operates as mosque today. The splendor of the interior decoration, the massiveness of its architectural proportions being unusual for a church and the most important of all, the height of its central dome has amazed everyone since it was first constructed. Then only a short walk away, Sultanahmed Mosque is the only mosque with six minarets in Istanbul. Called as blue mosque by foreigners because of the dominant color of more than 20.000 Iznik tiles decorating the spacious interior The Mosque is regarded as the peak achievement of Ottoman architecture. The highlights of the afternoon are a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace which is the only palace remaining from the Ottomans reflecting the splendor of the once mighty empire. End the day with a visit to the incredible Grand Bazaar.

BOSPHORUS CRUISE BY PUBLIC FERRY WITH A VISIT TO SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE

Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise on a public ferry (also known as Gypsy Boat) passing half a dozen Ottoman imperial palaces, traditional Yalis (waterside villas) and shore villages. We drive to visit Suleymaniye Mosque which was built by the most important architect of Ottoman times, Architect Sinan, this superb monument is Istanbul’s largest mosque complex.

BURSA AND CUMALIKIZIK VILLAGE TOUR

Early morning departure to Bursa. Bursa; the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the great treasure houses of Islamic architecture. We will visit the Green Mosque and the neighboring Green Mausoleum, both world-renowned for their superb tile decoration, as well as the late 14th century Great Mosque and the Koza Han, which for centuries was the center of the silk trade. After visit tomb of Sultan Osman Gazi founder of the Ottoman State and his son Orhan Gazi. Enjoying a cable car ride up the slopes of Mount Olympus (Uludag), we drive to the village of Cumalikizik; one of the best-preserved Ottoman villages in Turkey with scores of picturesque houses built in the traditional style.

Overnight in Bursa at Görükle Oruc Hotel & Spa or similar 4 stars hotel for 1 night on bed and breakfast basis

PRIVATE İZNİK AND SÖĞÜT TOUR & DRIVE TO KONYA

Early morning head to İznik (Nicaea). This tour includes to visiting İznik’s Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami) is a fine Seljuk Turkish-influenced work. Across the street is an Ottoman imaret (soup kitchen) that now houses the city’s good museum and also İznik Hagia Sophia Mosque. Drive to Söğüt. Söğüt was the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. The founding Ottoman is buried here. That would be Ertuğrul Gazi (died 1288), the warrior chieftain who fought on the border of the Seljuk Turkish and Byzantine empires, and whose sons went on to form the Ottoman state. End of the tour departure to Konya.

Overnight in Konya at Bera Konya Hotel or similar 4 stars hotel for 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis.

PRIVATE KONYA TOUR

Konya; the last capital of the Seljuk Empire and another of the great treasure houses of Islamic architecture in Central Anatolia. We will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic. Proceed to Martyrs Monument of 1919 Independence War and Konya Panorama Museum. Drive to Karatay Theological School in which beautiful tiles are on display and Ince Minaret Madrasah, after here walking to visit Alaeddin Keykubat Mosque and Palas of Seljuk Empires.

PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO YOUR ISTANBUL FLIGHT & ECLECTIC TOUR OF ISTANBUL

Pegasus Airlines, Konya (KYA) to Istanbul (SAW): 09:25 – 10:40 am

This private tour includes a perfect visit to the Galata Tower built by the Genoese in 1348. The Old Pera was given to them by the Ottoman Empire because of their help in defeating a Crusade. After a short gentle walk we take the oldest functioning metros in the world. The “Tunnel”, Completed in 1873, it is the shortest metro ever built which connects Karakoy to Beyoglu, followed by a local window-shopping if you would like to experience. We will visit the Galata Mevlevi Lodge (Galata Mevlevihanesi) is an exciting museum showcases variety of Turkish calligraphic art items, music items and items belonging to the Mevlevi cult ure. Gentle walk to Taksim Square then drive into the colorful sights, vibrant sounds and intriguing scents of the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market).

WHIRLING DERVISHES CEREMONY IN THE EVENING

Near the mighty Hagia Sophia Basilica and the magnificent Topkapi Palace, Hodjapasha Cultural Center is a delightful piece of the city’s striking cultural mosaic. Transformed from a large 15thcentury hamam (Turkish bath), it now welcomes visitors under its high dome ceilings to showcase some of the best of this vast country’s traditions.

Sufi whirling is a form of Sama or physically active meditation which originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kamala. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one’s body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun. As explained by Sufis. In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen’s camel’s hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego’s shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God’s unity. While whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive God’s beneficence; his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth. The Semazen conveys God’s spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the heart, The Semazen embraces all humanity with love.

PRIVATE TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT BACK HOME.

End of Service