Tour

Anatolia and the Whirling Dervishes(sm) (8 days)

Tour Operator

Turkey At Its Best

Istanbul, Turkey to Cappadocia, Turkey

Valid for Departures Now Through: 04 Sep 2025

Virtuoso Benefits

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Anatolia and the Whirling Dervishes(sm)

"Come, come again, whoever, whatever you may be, come..." were the words of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, founder of the Mevlevi ("Whirling Dervishes") sect in Turkey. Mevlana, who lived in Konya in the 13th Century, is also known in all parts of the world for his epic poem, the "Mesnevi," which consists of 25,000 rhyming couplets. It portrays Mevlana's hope for "unity with the One Real Being," and shows his genius for compassion, tolerance, humanity, wisdom and wit. After his death, followers of this famous mystic founded a sect that introduced dancing and music to their ceremonies, as they aspired to reach the ecstatic state of "being one with God." Today, performances of the original Whirling Dervishes can be seen in Konya, generally between December 7 and 17. (In recent years, similar groups have been presenting more frequent performances at newer venues in Istanbul and in Cappadocia). The Tour not only includes this unique mystical performance, but also many of the renowned touristic sites in Turkey. Deluxe or "best available" hotels are used.

SM: Sales Mark of Turkey At Its Best. All rights reserved. 2018

(c) Copyright Turkey At Its Best. All rights reserved. 2018

Itinerary

Day 1

Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Dinner

Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome Cocktail and Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing in Istanbul, visiting The St. Sophia Museum, The Blue Mosque, The Topkapi Palace and The Covered Bazaar. Dinner at a special restaurant.

Day 3

Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning Cruise on the Bosphorus. Lunch at a seafood restaurant on shore. Afternoon: Tour of Dolmabahce Palace; balance of the day at leisure.

Day 4

Konya, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning transfer to the airport for flight* to Konya (biblical Iconium). In the afternoon, visit the Mevlana Mausoleum. Attend a public performance of the authentic "Whirling Dervishes" in the evening**. Overnight in Konya.

** NOTE: Whirling Dervishes performance in Istanbul may be substituted for the one in Konya due to logistical reasons.

Day 5

Konya, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, visit the Karatay Tile Museum and the Medrese, one of the first schools. There might be more opportunities to attend Mevlevi programs or seminars.

Day 6

Cappadocia, Turkey

Konya, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Cappadocia with a stop at an Anatolian Seljuk Caravanserai. Overnight stay in Urgup.

Day 7

Cappadocia, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing in Cappadocia, visiting rock churches, underground cities, and quaint villages.

Day 8

Cappadocia, Turkey

Hotel: TBD

Meals: Breakfast

Morning departure from Cappadocia to Kayseri for departing flight* to Istanbul, for connection to your next destination.

*Airfare not included in Tour Price.

Virtuoso Benefits

An "Exclusively Virtuoso" Preferred Specialty Tour Operator, we specialize solely in Turkey, working with Travel Consultants of the Virtuoso Consortium; and, we have the distinction of having in house a former Professional Turkish Tour Guide and Turkish Archaeologist who has served as Official Guide to the British Royal Family during the tour of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Ephesus. Whether arranging a customized Shore Excursion or developing a complex Special Interest Tour itinerary in Turkey, Virtuoso Members communicate directly with the U.S. Headquarters of TURKEY AT ITS BEST(sm), enjoying (1) Immediate responses to their inquiries without delay from the time zone difference with Turkey, (2) Quotes in U.S. Dollars, rather than in Euros, (3) The security and cost savings of having the credit cards of their clients charged in the U.S., and in U.S. Dollars, (4) Prompt receipt of their commission checks, drawn on a U.S. bank, issued and mailed in the U.S., and (5) The peace of mind from receiving enhanced 24/7 customer support and service from our own Operations Center in Turkey for their clients.

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