DAY 2 ISTANBUL (B, L, D)
Following breakfast we will depart for our morning visits. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) which have fascinated us the night before with its lit up minarets, will be the first to impress us in the morning daylight. The famous Iznik tiles and the varying shades of their blue will make you feel in another world. Topkapi Palace, the 540 years old accommodation and administration of the Ottoman Sultans, housing the Sultans treasury, armory, chinaware, embroideries, silverware and the holy relics will be our second visit. We will be guided privately through the Harem; the ladies quarters, of the palace before lunch.
Lunch at the Konyali Restaurant, in the palace, overlooking both banks of the Bosphorus.

Drive to the Pera district, to the Istanbul Galata Mevlevi Lodge; one of the most active and well known unites outside Konya. We will witness the regular ceremony starting with a Sufi Music Concert that leads to the ritual that repeats every second Sunday.
Walk through Beyoglu (Pera), Istanbul’s elite 19th century neighborhood, known with its European influenced architecture. Now being the headquarters of the cities cultural events, on our way back to the hotel, this spot will also introduce you to location of the most popular book shops, art galleries, tea and coffee houses and local restaurants.

Evening departure for dinner to the Ottoman Restaurant, where we’ll be experiencing favorites of southeastern Anatolian cuisine.

DAY 3 ISTANBUL (B, L)
Morning lecture on ‘ Traditional Calligraphy and its place in Ottoman Arts ‘ given by Mr Nick Merdenyan, one of the few artists remaining in this field of art will be held in our hotel.
Short drive to our privately arranged boat, for the Bosphorus Cruise. While in between the two continents and passing in front of the 500 years old fortresses, 19th century palaces, Royal Guest Houses and 200 years old Ottoman mansions, you will also realize how impressive this city that served two empires as a capital is. .

Our lunch is at Park Fora, along the European bank of the strait, where once again we’ll be treated with the favorite seafood of Turkey.

Afternoon visits will include the largest Kulliye (monastic complex) of the city, the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, both being masterpieces of the great architect Sinan, chief engineer of Magnificent Suleiman. An orientation tour and free time in the Bazaar will create the opportunity to stroll through this heaven of jewelers and souvenir shops.

Return to the hotel and evening on our own. You will be provided with a list of restaurants to choose from.

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA (B, L, D)
Transfer to the Istanbul Airport for our morning flight to Kayseri.
Drive to Cappadocia and visit Zelve, a monastic retreat, to explore the fairy chimneys and interlinked caves where churches, houses, a mill and several dovecotes are to be found.

Lunch at Ala Turca Restaurant, specialized in central Anatolian cusine.

After lunch, we drive to the Goreme Open air Museum, the monastery set in a beautiful valley that has numerous 10th / 13th century chapels and churches carved into the volcanic cones formed by nature.

Check in and dinner at the Museum Hotel.

Following dinner, there will be a reading class designed to understand the philosophy and enjoy the poetry of Mevlana (Rumi)

DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA (B, L, D)
We begin the day with the Kaymakli Underground City visit. This complex underground settlement consists of six levels with space for grain storage, stabling of animals, ageing of wine and every possible necessity of rural life.

The following stop will be at Avanos, one of the leading names when the ‘Art of Weaving ‘ is mentioned. A learning will be presented by Mr. Burhan Unlusoy, well known oriental rug expert, for our group with free time provided afterwards.

Lunch will be at Old Greek House in Sinassos, an old Ottoman Greek Village, still impressive with its architecture as well as being located within the fascinating landscape.

The Red Valley, breath taking while the sun is moving lower in the late afternoon and the Pigeon Valley where we’ll enjoy the beautiful sunset are our final stops before returning to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 6 KONYA (B, L, D)
Morning drive to the spiritual city of Konya, the founding place of the Mevlevi Sect and the first capital of the Seljuk Empire.  Sultanhan Kervansaray, vital stop of the silk road merchants to be visited on the way. First visit in the city will be to the Karatay Medrese, 800 years old university built by the Seljuks. Witness the oldest examples of the Turkish tiles on display.

Lunch at Kosk Restaurant, known with its traditional tastes.

All afternoon will be spared for the Mevlana Museum. The medrese (school), mevlevihane
(dervish quarters), ashane (reflectory), semahane (ritual ceremony place) will be visited. A private arrangement in the Mevlevihane, to give an idea of a day in the Dervish’s life will be held by the museum.

Check in and dinner at the hotel.

Evening departure to witness the ritual gathering of the Konya Mevlevi Lodge.