Konya
is home to the whirling dervish
Welcome to Konya
An economic powerhouse that is religiously inspired and a busy university city that's as conservative as they come: Konya treads a delicate path between its historical significance as the home town of the whirling dervish orders and a bastion of Seljuk culture, and its modern importance as an economic boom town. The city derives considerable charm from this juxtaposition of old and new. Ancient mosques and the maze-like market district rub up against contemporary Konya around Alaaddin Tepesi, where hip-looking university students talk religion and politics in the tea gardens. If you are passing through this region, say from the coast to Cappadocia, then make time to explore one of Turkey's most compelling cities.
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Konya activities
10 Day Private The Best of Turkey Tour
ItineraryDay 1: ISTANBUL (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Suleymaniye Mosque, IstanbulArrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, visit to the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent and enjoy the view of the Golden Horn from the garden of the mosque.Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Ramada Old City Hotel or similar in Istanbul.Day 2: ISTANBUL (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Topkapi Palace, IstanbulVisit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), IstanbulVisit to Hagia Sophia.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Blue Mosque, IstanbulVisit to Blue Mosque.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Kapali Carsi, IstanbulVisit to the Grand Bazaar.Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Ramada Old City Hotel or similar in Istanbul.Day 3: GALLIPOLI – DARDANELLES – CANAKKALEStop At: Gallipoli Battlefield, Eceabat, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to Gallipoli Battlefield including World War I memorial of ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine Cemetery.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Canakkale Truva Heykeli, Canakkale, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean CoastCrossing Dardanelles and brief visit to city of Canakkale.Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Akol Hotel or similar in Canakkale.Day 4: TROY (World Heritage Site) – PERGAMON (World Heritage Site) – KUSADASIStop At: Troy (Truva), Canakkale, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the legendary city of Troy and see replica of the Trojan horse.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Pergamon Antik Kenti, Bergama, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the ancient hospital complex of Asklepion in Pergamon.Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Marina Hotel or similar in Kusadasi.Day 5: EPHESUS (World Heritage Site) – CLAROS – KUSADASIStop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the incredible city of Ephesus and its colossal Greek Theatre, the Marble Road, the Celsus Library.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the house of Virgin Mary.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Claros, Menderes, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the temple of Apollo in Claros.Duration: 1 hourStop At: The Temple of Artemis, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the Temple of Diana.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Selcuk Efes Kent Bellegi-History Museum, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the Museum of Ephesus in Selcuk.Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Marina Hotel or similar in Kusadasi.Day 6: APHRODISIAS (World Heritage Site) – LAODICEIA – PAMUKKALE (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Aphrodisias, Geyre, Turkish Aegean CoastVisit to the Aphrodisias, the city of art and beauty, dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Laodicea, DenizliVisit to the Laodicea, it is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Pamukkale Natural Park, PamukkaleVisit to. the Pamukkale or Cotton Castle in Turkish, it is worldwide famous for its white calcium travertine, Hierapolis, the ancient necropolis (city of the dead), Pluto’s Gate or Door to Hell.Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 5 Star Lycus River Hotel or similar in Pamukkale.Day 7: KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Mevlana Museum, KonyaVisit to Konya, the Whirling Dervish Museum, exhibition of Dervish costumes, instruments, illuminated manuscripts and various ethnographic artifacts.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Karatay Medresesi Museum, KonyaVisit to the Karatay Madrasa, a 13th century school, now a museum displaying historic ceramics and archaeological relics.Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 5 Star Dinler Hotel Urgup or similar in Cappadocia.Day 8: CAPPADOCIA (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Goreme National Park, Goreme, CappadociaCappadocia, unique landscape of volcanic rock formations, amazing underground churches and cities carved into the rocks by early Christians, going off the tourist track and visit small villages and discover the unknown parts of Cappadocia. Visit Magic Valley, Goreme and Zelve Open Air Museum, Pasabag Valley and Cavusin Village. Optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia early in the morning.Duration: 8 hoursStop At: Zelve Open Air Museum, Nevsehir, Nevsehir ProvinceVisit to Zelve Open Air Museum.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Pasabag, Urgup, CappadociaVisit to the Pasabag Valley.Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Overnight at 5 Star Dinler Hotel Urgup or similar in Cappadocia.Day 9: CAPPADOCIA – FLY TO ISTANBUL (World Heritage Site)Stop At: Urgup Museum, Nevsehir, Nevsehir ProvinceVisit Sinasos (Mustafa Pasha), explore the old Greek village with historical Greek and Ottoman houses, see the church of Constantine-Helen, see interesting rock formations in Urgup.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu, CappadociaVisit to theKaymakli underground city.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Ortahisar Kalesi, Ortahisar, CappadociaVisit to Ortahisar town.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Uchisar Castle, Uchisar, CappadociaVisit to the Uchisar.Duration: 1 day 6 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • LunchAccommodation included: Overnight at 4 Star Ramada Old City Hotel or similar in Istanbul.Day 10: ISTANBUL (World Heritage Site)Pass By: Istanbul Airport Transfer, IstanbulAfter breakfast, transfer to the Istanbul airport and end of our service.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
2-Day Cappadocia Tour from Side
Day 1:The tour starts early in the morning - 05:00 is the pick up time for the hotels in Side city center. About 7 a.m. you will stop for breakfast. If you do not get a lunch box from the hotel, you can buy some snacks, tea, coffee there in a cafe. There are some other breaks on the way to Cappadocia to make the long journey more easy and comfortable for you. On arrival to Cappadocia you will be amazed by this natural wonder with incredible shapes, rock houses and fairy chimneys. First you are going to visit the Saratli underground city (Kirkgoz). Explore its rooms and corridors with your tour guide and learn about the history of this interesting place. After drive to the Pigeon Valley, have photo break there and be ready for a lunch at a scenic view restaurant. You will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Uchisar valley and then explore the Uchisar castle. After you are going to visit a rock house and drive to the Goreme Valley to enjoy the stunning panoramic view of Cappadocia. In Cavusin village you will visit the rock-cut churches and learn about the religious past of this area. On the way to the hotel you will visit onyx fabric where you can buy nice souvenirs if you wish. Overnight accommodation arranged at the hotel in Urgup town. After the open buffet dinner in hotel you can rest, look around the city or visit the 'Turkish Night' - folk dance show (optional for an extra charge). Day 2:Early in the morning you can join a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia (optional, organized by your tour guide). The Second day starts with an open buffet breakfast in the hotel. Don't forget to take all belongings with you as we make check out from the hotel and continue the tour. You are going to visit 'The three beauties' near Urgup town - amazing fairy chimneys considered to be the symbol of Cappadocia. Then discover the most popular and the most beautiful valleys of Cappadocia - Devrent (Imagination), Pasabag and Lovers valleys. Feel yourself like in a fairy tail walking through the different shaped rocks (mushrooms, camel, etc.). You will have enough time to explore these amazing volcanic rocks and make great photos there. On the way back to Side there are some stops for rest (in Aksaray) and for lunch (near Konya). Arrival time to Side city center is 6 p.m.
Cappadocia 2 Day Tour from Belek
Day 1:The tour starts early in the morning, 06:00 is the pick up time for the hotels in Belek city center. About 7 a.m. you will stop for breakfast and if you do not get a lunch box from the hotel, you can buy some snacks, tea, coffee there in a cafe. There are some other breaks on the way to Cappadocia to make the long journey more easy and comfortable for you. On arrival to Cappadocia you will be amazed by this natural wonder with incredible shapes, rock houses and fairy chimneys. First you are going to visit the Saratli underground city (Kirkgoz). Explore its rooms and corridors with your tour guide and learn about the history of this interesting place. After drive to the Pigeon Valley, have photo break there and be ready for a lunch at a scenic view restaurant.You will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Uchisar valley and then explore the Uchisar castle. After you are going to visit a rock house and drive to the Goreme Valley to enjoy the stunning panoramic view of Cappadocia. In Cavusin village you will visit the rock-cut churches and learn about the religious past of this area. On the way to the hotel you will visit onyx fabric where you can buy nice souvenirs if you wish.Overnight accommodation arranged at the hotel in Urgup town. After the open buffet dinner in hotel you can rest, look around the city or visit the 'Turkish Night' - folk dance show (optional for an extra charge). Day 2:Early in the morning you can join a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia (optional, organized by your tour guide). The second day starts with an open buffet breakfast in the hotel. Don't forget to take all belongings with you as we make check out from the hotel and continue the tour. You are going to visit 'the three beauties' near Urgup town - amazing fairy chimneys considered to be the symbol of Cappadocia. Then discover the most popular and the most beautiful valleys of Cappadocia - Devrent (Imagination), Pasabag and Lovers valleys. Feel yourself like in a fairy tail walking through the different shaped rocks (mushrooms, camel, etc.). You will have enough time to explore these amazing volcanic rocks and make great photos there.On the way back to Kemer there are some stops for rest (in Aksaray) and for lunch (near Konya). Arrival time to Belek city center is 7 p.m.
Turkey 8-Day Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus
Day 1 - Istanbul and the BosphorousWhen you arrive in Istanbul, get transfered to your hotel and at about 1 p.m. Go on a short visit to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and then cruise along the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorous.Overnight stay in Istanbul at Sirkeci Mansion Hotel (or similar accommodation)Day 2 - Ankara, Cappadocia - (B, D)After breakfast, drive toward the nation's capital, Ankara to visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before continuing on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.Overnight stay in Cappadocia at Elevres Stone Hotel (or similar accommodation)Day 3 - Goreme - Underground City - (B,D)Today tour, the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Uchisar Castle and Kaymakli Underground City. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey, and at a carpet village, learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. You can also go on an optional Turkish folklore evening tour featuring stories of folklore and belly dancers.Overnight stay in Cappadocia at Elevres Stone Hotel (or similar accommodation)Day 4 - Konya - Pamukkale - (B, D)Leaving Cappadocia we head south along the ancient Silk Road just as the ancient traders did. Along the way, visit Sultanhani Caravansary, before stopping at Konya to tour the Mevlana Museum.Overnight in Pamukkale at Colossae Thermal Hotel Day 5 - Pamukkale - Aphrodisias - (B, D)Visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Drive to Aphrodisias, the famous city of Aphrodite.Overnight stay in Kuşadası at Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel Day 6 - Ephesus - (B, D)Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus, and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before driving back to our hotelOvernight stay in Kuşadası at Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel Day 7 - Izmir to Istanbul Old City - (B)After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, tour the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, and the Hippodrome. (Optional Bosphorous By Night Dinner Cruise )Overnight stay in Istanbul at Sirkeci Mansion Hotel (or similar accommodation)Day 8 - Istanbul - (B)Your day is free until your return transfer to the airport where your tour concludes.
Cappadocia 2-Day Tour from Alanya
ItineraryDay 1: Alanya to CappadociaPass By: Uchisar Castle, Uchisar, CappadociaUchisar castlePass By: Devrent Valley, CappadociaDevrent valleyMeals included: • Dinner: Dinner at the hotel is includedAccommodation included: overnight at 3 or 4 Star hotelDay 2: Return from Cappadocia to AlanyaStop At: Goreme National Park, Goreme, CappadociaGöreme open air museumDuration: 2 hoursPass By: Goreme Onix, Nevsehir, Nevsehir ProvinceOptional can be visitedMeals included: • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel is includedNo accommodation included on this day.
All Inclusive14 Days Turkey Tour
ItineraryDay 1: ISTANBULPass By: Sultanahmet District, IstanbulArrive in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Welcome meeting and orientation walk in the Sultanahmet square.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Sultanahmet area.Day 2: ISTANBULPass By: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), IstanbulToday explore the great ancient landmarks of Istanbul in Sultanahmet Square. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, the Byzantine Haghia Sophia, the Ottoman Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Sultanahmet area.Day 3: ISTANBULPass By: Istanbul Arkeoloji Muzesi, IstanbulVisit the Underground Cistern and the Istanbul Archeological Museum, featuring of many Hellenistic and Roman treasures, especially Alexander’s sarcophagus from Sidon. Later, stroll through the bazaars of Istanbul, the Spice Market, and the Grand Bazaar.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Sultanahmet area.Day 4: KUSADASIPass By: Selcuk Efes Kent Bellegi-History Museum, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean CoastToday fly to Izmir and transfer to Selcuk. Explore the famous ancient site of Ephesus and environs. Ephesus contains extensive ruins of the agora, the Library of Celsus with its imposing facade, the biggest theater, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Also tour the Basilica of John, the Selcuk Museum, and the House of Mary in the afternoon.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a 5 stars hotel in Kusadasi.Day 5: KUSADASIPass By: Miletus, Didim, Turkish Aegean CoastEnjoy the free time in the waterfront of Kusadasi in the morning. Then travel through the delta of the River Meander on where ancient people once sailed. Visit the most important cities of the classical period, the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. As the home of the renowned philosophers, these ancient cities are the best example of the Hellenistic cities.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a 5 stars hotel in Kusadasi.Day 6: PAMUKKALEPass By: Aphrodisias, Geyre, Turkish Aegean CoastDrive along the River Meander and visit the ancient city of Aphrodisias, one of the most important sculpture centers of the entire Roman world. This remotely site received extensive donations from Roman emperors because of the city’s association with Aphrodite. Then continue to Pamukkale where the mineral water forms the pools of white travertine, one of the most dazzling natural beauties of Turkey.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a 5 stars hotel in Pamukkale.Day 7: ANTALYAPass By: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, PamukkaleDrive along the Lycus Valley and tour the biblical cities of Hierapolis with its extensive necropolis and then Laodicea, one of the seven churches in the Revelation. Travel through the highlands and descend from the Mountain Taurus to Antalya along the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Antalya.Day 8: ANTALYAPass By: Aspendos Bridge, Side, Manavgat, Turkish Mediterranean CoastEnjoy the tour of the Archeological Museum where exhibits all the archeological findings from Perge, Aspendos, and the other sites in the region. Explore Perge, a Hellenistic city that welcomed Alexander on the way to Gordion in 333 BC. Continue to Aspendos for touring the best preserved Roman Theater commissioned by Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Enjoy time at leisure in Antalya in the afternoon.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Antalya.Day 9: KONYAPass By: Mevlana Muzesi, KonyaTravel through the most spectacular and picturesque route from Antalya to Konya over the Mountain Taurus. Visit the Mevlana Museum, the center of the whirling dervishes in Konya and discover their humanistic theology based on love and respect to the diversity of the universe.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Konya.Day 10: CAPPADOCIAPass By: Goreme National Park, Goreme, CappadociaContinue to Cappadocia along the Silk Road and visit one the caravanserai where ancient travelers stayed overnight on their journeys. Arrive in Cappadocia and explore the lunar and surrealistic landscape of the region with its valleys and churches.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia.Day 11: CAPPADOCIAPass By: Pasabag, Urgup, CappadociaVisit the Goreme Open-Air Museum and its churches with vivid frescoes depicting the biblical scenes as the best example of the local Byzantine art. Stroll through the fairy-chimneys of the Red and Pasabag Valleys. Visit Uchisar and Cavusin villages with their inspiring settings and dwellings.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia.Day 12: CAPPADOCIAPass By: Devrent Valley, CappadociaStart the day with an optional balloon trip in Cappadocia. Travel to the lesser visited sites of Cappadocia. The dramatic settlement of the Sinassos Village attracts travelers to its distant beauty as well as the vibrant people of the village. Then continue to Ayvali Village to enjoy a village lunch prepared in a village house. End the day by visiting the labyrinths of the Underground Cities of the region.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia.Day 13: ISTANBULPass By: Kariye Museum (The Chora Church), IstanbulTake a morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul visit the Kariye Museum, the church of Holy Savior in Chora. This museum house exquisite frescoes and mosaic as some the best examples of the Byzantine art in the world. Take pleasure in the cruise along the Bosporus on a private boat and enjoy free afternoon for shopping and packing.Meals included: • LunchAccommodation included: Accommodation at a special boutique hotel in Sultanahmet area.Day 14: ISTANBULPass By: Ataturk Airports Transfer Service, IstanbulTransfer to airport for return flight to the United StatesNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.