Wisdom's Ways: Itinerary
October 7-20, 2012
__
7th October, Sunday, 1st Day: Fly to Istanbul
8th October, Monday, 2nd Day
Arrive at Istanbul Airport, meet our guide, and transfer to the Legacy Ottoman Hotel.
9th October, Tuesday, 3rd Day
Transfer to Istanbul Airport and fly to Nevşehir-Kapadokya Airport. We will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and an underground city. We observe a Sema (spinning prayerful meditation) of Sufis (sometimes known as Whirling Dervishes). Overnight at Dilek Kaya Cave Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
10th October, Wednesday, 4th Day
We will drive to Silifke. On the way we will stop at the Gümüşler Monastery, with its famous fresco of Mary and Child (also known as “Smiling Mary”). We will explore the ruins of the Meryemlik Basilica which houses the Cave of St. Thekla. It was one of the primary centers of early Christendom, and has been a pilgrimage destination (secret and otherwise) for generations. Overnight at the Lamos Resort Hotel.
Lunch and dinner provided.
11th October, Thursday, 5th Day
Drive to Konya (birthplace of Thekla). Visit the Mevlâna (Rumi) Mausoleum . Visit the Neolithic farming village of Çatalhöyük where evidence points to veneration of a prehistoric goddess. Overnight at Bera Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
12th October, Friday, 6th Day: Drive to Pamukkale. Visit Hierapolis (“Sacred City”).
Overnight at Colossae Termal Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
13th October, Saturday, 7th Day
We will drive to Aphrodisias, the ancient city of Aphrodite. We will enjoy lunch at a traditional Restaurant. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the day in will be unscheduled Kuşadası, a resort town on the Aegean coast.
Dinner and overnight at the Charisma de Luxe Hotel.
14th October, Sunday, 8th Day
We will drive to Ephesus and visit the extensive ruins of this classical city, Mary's House, the Temple of Artemis – the Selcuk Museum and hopefully, the Grotto of St. Paul where to view a recently excavated and historically significant fresco of Paul and Thekla together. Lunch will be provided in a local handicraft center.
Dinner and overnight at the Charisma Hotel in Kuşadası.
15th October, Monday, 9th Day
Drive from Kuşadası to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) the birthplace of Homer, and perhaps named for an Amazon warrior. We will stop at Temple of Athena, and then drive to Pergamon (Bergama) where we will explore the Acropolis and Asclepion, and see the remainders of temples for Demeter, Kore, Athena and Isis. After lunch in Bergama we will transfer to the Izmir Airport for an evening flight to Istanbul.
Check into the Hotel Prince.
16th October, Tuesday, 10th Day
A free morning in Istanbul. In the afternoon we will enjoy a Bosporus cruise, shop at the Grand Bazaar, and see the Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamam (Baths of Roxelana).
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
17th October, Wednesday, 11th Day
Guided tour of Old City, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia),Topkapi Palace and Hippodrome area. Lunch at the Konya restaurant in the Topkapi Palace.
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
18th October, Thursday, 12th Day
Free day. Transfer & visit in the evening with Hasan Çıkar Dede and the Silivrikapi MevlânaCultural Center. Overnight at Prince Hotel.
19th October Friday 13th Day
Free day. Transfer by bus and cruise for the Farewell Dinner at Kız Kulesi.
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
20th October, Saturday, 14th Day
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for flight home.
7th October, Sunday, 1st Day: Fly to Istanbul
8th October, Monday, 2nd Day
Arrive at Istanbul Airport, meet our guide, and transfer to the Legacy Ottoman Hotel.
9th October, Tuesday, 3rd Day
Transfer to Istanbul Airport and fly to Nevşehir-Kapadokya Airport. We will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and an underground city. We observe a Sema (spinning prayerful meditation) of Sufis (sometimes known as Whirling Dervishes). Overnight at Dilek Kaya Cave Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
10th October, Wednesday, 4th Day
We will drive to Silifke. On the way we will stop at the Gümüşler Monastery, with its famous fresco of Mary and Child (also known as “Smiling Mary”). We will explore the ruins of the Meryemlik Basilica which houses the Cave of St. Thekla. It was one of the primary centers of early Christendom, and has been a pilgrimage destination (secret and otherwise) for generations. Overnight at the Lamos Resort Hotel.
Lunch and dinner provided.
11th October, Thursday, 5th Day
Drive to Konya (birthplace of Thekla). Visit the Mevlâna (Rumi) Mausoleum . Visit the Neolithic farming village of Çatalhöyük where evidence points to veneration of a prehistoric goddess. Overnight at Bera Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
12th October, Friday, 6th Day: Drive to Pamukkale. Visit Hierapolis (“Sacred City”).
Overnight at Colossae Termal Hotel. Lunch and dinner provided.
13th October, Saturday, 7th Day
We will drive to Aphrodisias, the ancient city of Aphrodite. We will enjoy lunch at a traditional Restaurant. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the day in will be unscheduled Kuşadası, a resort town on the Aegean coast.
Dinner and overnight at the Charisma de Luxe Hotel.
14th October, Sunday, 8th Day
We will drive to Ephesus and visit the extensive ruins of this classical city, Mary's House, the Temple of Artemis – the Selcuk Museum and hopefully, the Grotto of St. Paul where to view a recently excavated and historically significant fresco of Paul and Thekla together. Lunch will be provided in a local handicraft center.
Dinner and overnight at the Charisma Hotel in Kuşadası.
15th October, Monday, 9th Day
Drive from Kuşadası to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) the birthplace of Homer, and perhaps named for an Amazon warrior. We will stop at Temple of Athena, and then drive to Pergamon (Bergama) where we will explore the Acropolis and Asclepion, and see the remainders of temples for Demeter, Kore, Athena and Isis. After lunch in Bergama we will transfer to the Izmir Airport for an evening flight to Istanbul.
Check into the Hotel Prince.
16th October, Tuesday, 10th Day
A free morning in Istanbul. In the afternoon we will enjoy a Bosporus cruise, shop at the Grand Bazaar, and see the Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamam (Baths of Roxelana).
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
17th October, Wednesday, 11th Day
Guided tour of Old City, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia),Topkapi Palace and Hippodrome area. Lunch at the Konya restaurant in the Topkapi Palace.
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
18th October, Thursday, 12th Day
Free day. Transfer & visit in the evening with Hasan Çıkar Dede and the Silivrikapi MevlânaCultural Center. Overnight at Prince Hotel.
19th October Friday 13th Day
Free day. Transfer by bus and cruise for the Farewell Dinner at Kız Kulesi.
Overnight at Prince Hotel.
20th October, Saturday, 14th Day
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for flight home.