10 DAYS SPECIAL MOSQUES TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day - Thursday
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport. Meet with TravelShop Turkey staff and
transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul Tour - Friday
(Breakfast included)
TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th
centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese
porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of
the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the
Prophet Mohammed.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by
the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent
interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the
scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the
bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550
and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of
St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four
minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. Murtis Tour will then
take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages
are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths'
street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic
plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and
meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
After Free the tour we will be visiting Whirling Dervishes Show: The Sema
ceremony represents a spiritual journey; the seeker's turning toward God and
truth, a maturing through love, the transformation of self as a way of union
with God, and the return to life as the servant of all creation. Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul Tour - Saturday
(Breakfast included)
Istanbul is the center of religion for centuries. After the ottoman period
Islamic Religion spreaded througout the city. The first mosque in Istanbul was
built in Kadikoy on the Asian side of the city, which was conquered by the
Ottoman Turks in 1353. The first mosque on the European side of Istanbul was
built inside the Rumeli Castle in 1452. The first grand mosque which was built
in the city proper is the Eyup Sultan Mosque (1458), while the first imperial
mosque inside the city walls was the Fatih Mosque (1470) which was built on the
site of the Church of the Holy Apostles, an important Byzantine church which was
originally edificed in the time of Constantine the Great. We will be visiting
the Shakirin Mosque: Sakirin Mosque, which was finished in 4,5 years in the
Asian side of Istanbul, in a corner of Karacaahmet cemetery, firstly sat in our
agenda by attracting the attention of foreign media. Afterwards it caused a
minor sensation with the opening ceremony on May. We can say that this small and
sympathetic mosque, people have been surprised by and debated on, marks the
beginning of a new era in Turkey in terms of mosque design and architecture with
its each feature from its dome to fountain and glasses to niche. Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 4 - Istanbul - Bursa - Sunday
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Depart by ferry to Yalova city After which drive to Bursa for a visit to
Ulucamii (Great Mosque), Cumalikizik Village, Green Mosque, Green Tomb, Ozdilek
Factory. Overnight in Bursa.
Day 5 - Pamukkale Tour - Monday
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08:30 we depart for Pamukkale. On the way we will visit one of the famous
leather production centers of the region. We then arrive at Pamukkale for lunch.
Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and
the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the
option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6 - Along the Silk Road to Konya - Tuesday
(Breakfast and dinner included)
After breakfast 08:00am we drive to Konya and see the imposing green-tiled
Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Islamic Sufi sect (Sufism is
less an Islamic sect than a mystical way of approaching the Islamic faith. .
Arriving in Konya, we check in at our hotel, and have lunch. In the afternoon we
stroll the streets of Konya, visiting first the Tomb of Rumi in the glittering
Mevlana Museum, an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims and indeed all
lovers of Rumi. Next door, we visit the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim mosque before
having lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. We drive along Mevlana Caddesi,
Konya's main avenue, to reach the age-old Alaettin Hill (a prehistoric tumulus)
to visit the 1000-year-old Alaaddin Mosque, where Rumi often prayed. In its
courtyard are the tombs of many of the Seljuk Turkish sultans who ruled during
Rumi's lifetime, and who consulted him for spiritual guidance. Walking down the
north side of the Alaettin Hill we pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan's
palace, then cross the street for a view of the elaborate portal of the medieval
Great Karatay Medrese theological college (the interior is currently closed for
restoration), after which we return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight in Konya.
Day 7 - Konya Islamic Tour - Wednesday
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Today we visit some of the wonderful Seljuk Turkish monuments that Rumi would
have known and visited: we drive to the north side of the Alaettin Hill to visit
the Seminary of the Slender Minaret (Ince Minare Medrese, 1264), a 13th-century
theological college that's been beautifully restored and now serves as Konya's
Museum of Stone and Wooden Inscriptions, with works of art from the 1100s and
later. Walking around the Alaettin Hill, we enter a quiet residential
neighborhood to look at the Crystalline Medrese (Sircali Medrese, 1242)with its
fine tilework and Kuranic calligraphy in stone. Continuing for a short distance
we come to the Sahip Ata Mosque Complex (1283), included a school, a travelers'
inn, Turkish bath, and the tomb of its founder, the Seljuk grand vezir who also
built the Seminary of the Slender Minaret. Nearby, we visit the Konya's
Archeological Museum to see the marble high-relief sarcophagus "The Trials of
Hercules" and many items from Konya's ancient past (up to 7000 years ago). Lunch
at a local restaurant introduces us to more Konya culinary specialties, included
many cooked slowly in a tandir ("tandoori," clay pot buried in hot coals). After
lunch we walk to the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tebrizi, Rumi's closest
companion, spiritual mentor, and inspiration for many of his poetic works, then
continue on foot past many shops to our hotel. Overnight in Konya. This evening
you will have the option of visiting the famous Mevlevi Whirling Dervhis Show.
Day 8 - Haci Bektas and Veli Cappadocia - Thursday
(Breakfast and dinner included)
In the morning, we drive to Hacibektas and visit its museum which was an Islamic
monastery dating back to the 13th century. Haci Bektas Veli is the founder of
the influential Bektasi sect of dervishes and the leader of an Islamic
philosophy and social class in the 13th century. After this we head on to
Gulsehir where we visit the church of St. John which has spectacular frescoes on
its walls. After walking around fascinating landscape of Aciksaray and we drive
to Nevsehir for lunch at a local restaurant and taste the local food of the
region. We spend the afternoon with a visit to
Goreme open air museum and free time for shopping. Overnight in Capadocia.
Day 9 - Ankara City Tour and Istanbul - Friday
(Breakfast included)
Visit Ataturk (founder of the modern Turkey) Museum at the Ataturk Mosoleum.
Lunch break. After the break city tour of Ankara which is the 2nd biggest city
and the capital of Turkey. Then departure for Istanbul (5 hour drive). Overnight
in Istanbul.
Day 10 - Istanbul - End of Tour - Saturday
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one
and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Turkey
Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
10 DAYS SPECIAL MOSQUES TOUR INCLUDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- 4 nights hotel in Istanbul
- 1 night hotel in Bursa
- 1 night hotel in Pamukkale
- 2 nights hotel in Konya
- 1 night hotel in Cappadocia
- 9 breakfasts and 5 dinners (All HALAL food)
- 2 different guided Istanbul Islamic tours
- Guided Bursa tour
- Guided Pamukkale tour
- 2 different guided Konya tours
- Guided Haci Bektas tour
- Guided Cappadocia tour
- Guided Ankara tour
- Prayer rug (special size for praying)
- Rosary
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
10 DAYS SPECIAL MOSQUES TOUR PRICES IN EURO:
Per Person |
Shared Double |
Single |
|
€ 849.00 |
€ 955.00 |
|
€ 969.00 |
€ 1,049.00 |
|
€ 1,249.00 |
€ 1,655.00 |
The mininum number attendance is 6 people. In condition of less than 6 participants the tour will be run on public bus system.
Tour Start Dates:
March - 10th
April - 14th and 28th
May - 12th and 26th
June - 9th and 23th
July - 14th and 28th
August - 11th and 25th
September - 8th and 22th
October - 13th
November - 10th
December - 15th
NOTE: The above Turkey guaranteed departure tour is based on a by
plane and by bus in Turkey. This tour includes everything, you pay no extra
charges !! Entrance fees make up 30% of your tour costs. If you would like to
visit any other places not mentioned in this itinerary we are happy to make a
tailor-made tour to suit your individual requirements. Just let us know how long
you would like to stay and which places you are interested in visiting. If there
are less than 4 weeks between your tour Booking date and tour start date, then
the tour price is subject to change according to domestic flight prices. 40%
deposit needs to be paid after the confirmation and the balance needs to be paid
4 weeks before the tour start date. When you book this tour you will get the
TravelShop Turkey guarantee that no promise will be broken every aspect has been
taken into account for your enjoyment, and all the hard work is done on your
behalf.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE TOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the discounts for children?
Under 2 years of age, your child will travel free of charge by land. Flight
ticket insurance cost will be 15 Euro only.
Children under 6 years of age will travel free of charge by land. Flight tickets
must be paid in full.
Children 7-11 years of age are charged at 50% of a full priced adult tour in
Istanbul. Flight tickets are charged at 75% of a full priced adult.
Children above 11 years are full priced adult fares.
How much is the deposit?
Your booking deposit 30% of the total invoice amount.
Once paid, we can confirm your flight reservations and hotel arrangements for
you.
Note that we must receive your booking and 30% deposit in order to secure your
discounted rate. The remaining balance of your tour must be paid a minimum of 4
weeks before your tour start date.
Last Minute Bookings?
Price of your plane tour may change when booking last minute. Prices indicated
are subject to flight availability and minimum 4 weeks notification before the
commencement of your tour. Please contact TravelShop Turkey if you wish to book
last minute.
Are prices guaranteed?
Our price guarantees that no increase in land costs will occur, once you have
paid the deposit for your tour. This is your protection against international
currency fluctuations. When you have paid for your domestic flight in full,
there will be no change in the cost of the ticket, even if airfares rise later.
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