Islamic Treasures of Turkey

Day 1: Arrive to Istanbul and rest in the hotel.

Day 2: We will have an extensive tour in Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city located in 2 continents which was the capital city of 3 empires. Our first visit will be to the legendary Hagia Sophia which was built 1.500 years ago as the first cathedral of the world. It is on of the biggest and last construction of the Roman Empires. Following we will visit the famous Blue Mosque. Next we will visit the Topkapi Palace. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast-Lunch)

Day 3: In the morning we will have a Bosphorus cruise tour and you will see the beauty of Istanbul. Next we will visit the famous Spice Bazaar and one of the oldest shopping places called Grand Bazaar. In the afternoon we will visit the tomb and mosque of Eyup one of the Ashaabs of the Prophet and you will visit Suleymaniye Mosque. Over night in Istanbul. 

Day 4: Today we will drive to Edirne which is on the European border of Turkey. The most popular architecture of the Ottoman time, Sinan built the biggest and the most spectacular mosque, called Selimiye Mosque in this city. After lunch we will turn back to Istanbul. Over night in Istanbul. 

Day 5: We will drive to Bursa which was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire. In this city which is also called “Green Bursa” we will visit 2 important mosques; the famous Ulu and Green Mosques. Since many Ottoman Sultans, their wife and children were buried in Bursa we will visit some tombs of them. Turn back to Istanbul. Over night in Istanbul. 

Day 6: We will fly to Konya which is the most interesting cities of Turkey. We will visit Mevlana Museum. Mevlana was a very famous philosopher who lived in the 13th century A.D. After having lunch, we will visit 2 Islamic old Universities of the Selcukian Period; The Karatay and Ince Minareli Medresas. After dinner you will enjoy the show of the whirling dervishes.

Day 7: We will drive to Ankara. After lunch, we will visit Haci Bayram Veli Mosque and will pray there. Later we will arrive the biggest mosque ever built in the Modern Turkish Republic, called Kocatepe Mosque. Dinner and stay in Ankara. 

Day 8: Fly from Ankara to Diyarbakir. We will visit the Ulu mosque and the Centrum of the city Diyarbakir. Then drive to Urfa and overnight in Urfa. 

Day 9: We will drive to Urfa, the city of the messengers and Abraham’s birth place. We will go to Harran where we will see the famous Harran houses and the first Islamic University. According to the Old Testament Harran is the place where Prophet Abraham and his children spent 7 years before leaving for Israel. Overnight in Urfa. 

Day 10: Fly from Urfa to Istanbul and fly back home.