10 Nights/ 11 Days Islamic Cultural Turkey

Breakfast and departure for Istanbul Islamic and Sahabe Tour. Istanbul is the center of religion for centuries. After the ottoman period Islamic Religion separated throughout the city. First we visit to  Arab Mosque (Arap Camii) is the only mosque in Istanbul that was converted from a Roman Catholic Church. Originally it was built in the fourteenth century. The first grand mosque which was built in the city proper is the Eyup Sultan Mosque (1458). Next to Eyup Sultan Mosque we will visit the tombs of the Sahabe, which is very famous in Turkey by being the first generation of Muslims, who had come as far as Istanbul and besieged the city. The small Sahabe Cemetery just outside Egrikapi Gate may seem like a standard Muslim cemetery. We will climb Pierre Loti Hill by cable car which is located close to Eyüp Sultan Mosque and where the Golden Horn view can be watched the best.  From the location of the hill, you can see the two sides of the Golden Horn, namely Beyoğlu and Fatih. The domes and minarets of the mosques rising on the Historical Peninsula of the Golden Horn are worth seeing. You can watch Fatih Mosque, Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Beyazıt Tower, Hagia Sophia Museum and Topkapı Palace from a far with the binoculars on the observation deck. Then visit to The Merkez Efendi Mosque was built on the site of a dervish lodge which had been commissioned by Süleyman the Great and built by the architect Sinan in 1517. After the death of Merkez Efendi, the mosque that bears his name was built in his memory between 1552-1572. Lunch at a typical Turkish restaurant. Continue to visit The Süleymaniye Mosque becomes most meaningful when understood in its historical and cultural context. It was built during the latter part of Süleyman's long and prosperous reign, which stretched from 1520 to 1566. Continue to the Rüstem Pasha Mosque which was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for the grand vizier Rüstem Pasha (the husband of one of the daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent by Hürrem Sultan(Roxelana), Mihrimah Sultan). Rüstem Pasha died in July 1561 and the mosque was built after his death from around 1561 until 1563. The mosque complex hosts now a religious school. Return to your hotel and overnight.

Breakfast and departure for full day city tour. Visit to THE HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE, which is ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great, in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time, now coverted to a mosque. Across the 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. Lunch at a typical Turkish restaurant. Proceed to The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, which was Constructed in 1524, the building was formerly the palace of Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha, who was the second grand vizier to Suleiman the Magnificent, and was once thought to have been the husband of the Sultan's sister, Hatice Sultan.The collection includes notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays on various cultures in Turkey, particularly nomad groups. These displays recreate rooms or dwellings from different time periods and regions. Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque is a 16th-century Ottoman mosque which was commissioned jointly by the grand vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha and his wife İsmihan Sultan. It was designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan and completed in 1571/2. The mosque is noted for the fine quality of the Iznik tiles that decorate the interior walls. Final visit to The Little Hagia Sophia mosque, formerly the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus , is a former Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople built between 532 and 536, and converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Return to your hotel and overnight.

We will visit TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, 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. Continue to Dolmabahçe Palace which was built between 1843 and 1856 when the Ottoman Empire was losing its power. This superb palaca displays the richness and power that the Sultans had. Drive to Asian side of Istanbul by passing through Bosphorus Bridge. Contınue to Çamlıca Hill one of the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscape in traditional style, as you sip your drinks in a cafeteria. Visit to Çamlıca Mosque which is considered the newest symbol of the city since its foundation, is the biggest mosque in the history of the republic. Final visit to The Museum of Islamic Civilizations in which you can see the Turkish Weaving Art, Artifacts Attributed to the Prophet, Decorative Elements in Islamic Art, The First Temple Kaaba, Damascus Documents, The Holy Kuran and Enclosures, Science in Islam, Berats and Edicts, Calligraphy, Ottoman Clothing, Talismanic Objects, Destimal Tradition and Sanduka Pusheeds, Conquest in Islam, Turkish Tile Art, Islamic Coins. Return to your hotel and overnight.

Breakfast and departure for Bursa . Upon arrival  visit to Tophane area , where Osman Ghazi and Orhan Ghazi, the Founders of the Ottoman dynasty, were laid for their final rest in two ancient Byzantine structures, which underwent drastic alteration or were even completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1855. Then we will continue to Great Mosque known as Ulu Camii dating back to 1399 .This mosque is very famous with its decorative calligraphy which are all very unique. Next to Great Mosque ,Silk Bazaar is located which is also known as Koza Han. A historical Bazaar in Bursa popular with its local shops selling silk scarves ,ties ,textile products ,towels ibed linens and etc. Check in to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

We pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul early in the morning and drive to Sogut area where everything started for Ottoman History. Sogut is the birthplace of Ottoman Empire .Especially thinking the fact that our great hero Ertugrul Ghazi had been in these places and walked here and now it is our turn to follow his footsteps . We will visit the tomb of Ertugrul Ghazi where he died in 1288 and lots of monuments which are tributed to him, scattered around the town. We will also visit the Tomb of Sheikh Edebali who was the mentor of Ertugrul Ghazi and considered as spiritual founder of Ottoman Empire . We also visit Orhangazi Mosque which is the first Ottoman Mosque with a lead dome built in 1392 .After Sogut we will continue to Inegol where we will visit the tomb of Turgut Alp who was one of the greatest of warriors and a very close confidant of Ertugrul Ghazi and later his successor, Osman I . He ruled the area for 36 years and buried in Inegol as well. After Inegol we will continue Konya. Dinner and Overnight in Konya.

Breakfast and the tour starts by visiting, Mevlana Museum, located in Konya City Center, today, it is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Sufi mystic also known as Mevlâna or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. You will visit all available section in Mevlana Museum such as Matbah (Kitchen), tombs, Tilavet Chamber (Quran Reading And Chanting), Semâ-Hâne (Ritual Hall). Continue the tour by visiting Selimiye Mosque which is located next door to Mevlana Museum. Then continue the tour by visiting Tavusbaba Tomb of belongs to Seyh Tavus Mehmet El Hindi, a Seljuk Period holy man (Sufi saint) near the Meram area. After visiting these places go to Karatay Madrasah was usually founded and maintained by the sultan, princes and other nobles as well as the Wakf, who could afford to meet the expenses needed for free education to students. Then visit the Ince Minaret Medrasah which dates from the 13th century. Originally a medrasa, an islamic school, it is now a museum of wood and stone carving. It is named for its elegant tiled minaret. Alaaddin Mosque which was built up at the hill is still surviving intact with its impressive beauty. The construction of the oldest and the biggest mosque of the period of Anatolia Seljuk in Konya was begun in the time of Seljuk Sultan Rukneddin Mesut I (1116-1156), was continued at the time of Kılıçarslan II, and was complated in 1221, during the time of Alaaddin Keykubat.At the end of the tour, drive to Cappadocia, on the way visit to Sultan Han, which is a large and significant 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai located in the town of Sultanhanı. Continue to Cappadocia, arrival to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

Early morning Hot Air Balloon tour Depart from your hotel to visit Red valley through Cavusin and explore the famous rock- cutchurches and hike 2 km. Then visit Cavusin village. Old Cavusin was abandoned several decades ago due to avalanches. The current village of Cavusin is located on the road. Old Cavusin, with its rock-cut dwellings and stone houses, had several hermitages. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city, which is one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. The underground city was originally carved out as eight floors; however four floors are available to visit. In wartime about 5000 people can refuge in. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. Return to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

Early morning Hot Air Balloon tour Breakfast and visit to Goreme Open Air Museum which is the crown jewel of Cappadocia's rich history. This small area contains the best churches in Cappadocia and several monastic complexes. we pause at Avanos center of terracotta art which is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river and is its production of earthenwarepottery. Continue to Safranbolu, arrival to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will visit Cinci Hammam which is famed bathhouse (hammam) has been wonderfully restored. Turkish bathhouses were an important community element during the Ottoman era before running water in houses became commonplace. A trip to the hammam was not just about hygiene, though. This was the place where you came to catch up on all the gossip and even do business deals. The visit to Koprulu Mehmet Pasa Mosque. There are several good examples of mosque architecture in Safranbolu, but this one is regarded as the most interesting. Built in 1661, this squat mosque, with its helmet-roof, has a rather beautiful interior, which is well worth popping your head in as you walk past. In the courtyard, you'll see a metal sundial, which was added in the 19th century. Continue to Cinci Han “Caravanserai, it is a reminder of the town's importance as a stop on the trade route to and from the Black Sea. Built in the 17th century, the han would have been used by merchants as their hotel while in town. Drive to Istanbul. Arrival to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul International Airport for homebound flight.