Sufi Solstice

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As the sun's path ebbs at the winter solstice, Mythic Travel celebrates a special festival of en"light"enment, the birthday of Celaladdin Rumi, the poet and founder of Sufism. Our winter tour offers a blend of world spiritual experience.

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Day 1: Arrival, dinner, and overnight in Istanbul. (D)

Day 2: This morning we will have our highlight cruise on the Bosphorus. The natural strait, which is literally dividing two continents: Asia and Europe. We will see beautiful shore houses (yalli in Turkish), palaces of Ottoman Sultans, castles and also the two suspension bridges connecting two sides of the city. After the cruise, we visit some of the important highlights of Istanbul. Famous 17th century Blue Mosque, Hippodrome which was the scene of horse chariot races in Byzantine Era, Haghia Sofia, the sixth century cathedral which is one of the marvels of world architecture regarded by many as the "most revolutionary building of all times" and the Topkapi Palace, the residence for the sultans of Ottoman Empire where one can admire the Treasury, Harem and "Holy Relics" sections. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 3: We will continue to explore Istanbul’s nooks and crannies and get our “shopping” feet wet at the Spice Bazaar.

Day 4: Early morning flight to Cappadocia. In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and fairy-chimneys, we go to Goreme to visit the rock-carved churches containing ancient frescoes in the open air museum, the Zelve valleys and Uchisar, where the dramatic scenery is riddled with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Our day will also include a visit to one of the Avanos pottery studios, where masters have been producing pottery for thousands of years. Dinner and overnight in Nevsehir. (B, D)

Day 5 Today is Seb-i Arus when Mawlawi sufis annually celebrate the union of their great spiritual leader Rumi with the divine. In the morning, Rashid Ergener will give a talk on "Many Guises of Sufism: Different Routes, Same Goal" followed by a meeting with a Sufi leader (Dede). In the evening, we shall have an opportunity to observe in the "Sema" rituals of local sufi groups. Dinner and overnight in Nevsehir. (B, D)

Day 6: This morning we visit a local carpet factory. We then drive to Konya, visiting a Caravanserai on the way. Caravanserais were stops for caravans travelling on the ancient Silk Road. In Konya, we visit the tomb of Rumi, spiritual leader of Mawlawi Sufi group, and the thirteenth century Karatay school building where he taught. Dinner and overnight in Konya.(B, D)

Day 7: Today we visit Catal Hoyuk where the dawn of civilization took place.  In this Neolithic city-sized site, humans had a peaceful existence for thousands of years in an egalitarian society. Drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in a thermal spa in Pamukkale. (B, D)

Day 8: Visit terraces of Pamukkale; enjoy the glistening pools and cascades. Pamukkale means "Cotton Castle" in Turkish - an apt description of its fantastic white limestone terraces, an incredible natural phenomenon. Visit Roman Hierapolis, the Roman City on the terraces. Drive to Geyre to visit the ruins of Aphrodisias, possibly the most interesting current Roman excavation in the world. See the stadium, the theatre, the temple of Aphrodite and the museum with a fabulous collection of sculpture from the site. Dinner and overnight at Kusadasi. (B, D)

Day 9: Today, we have an opportunity to be at the house where it is believed theVirgin Mary spent the last years of her life. The house was discovered through a series of miracles. Today we also visit the ruins of the ancient city Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological sites, the largest Roman ruin in the world. We see the Odeon, Curetes Street, Trajan Fountain, the splendid facade of the Library of Celsus and the theatre, which is still being used for concerts. In Ephesus, we will also visit the Terrace Houses of the rich Ephesians. Afterwards, we will drive to the small but very interesting archaeological museum, where the statue of the Great Mother Artemis is on display Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 10 We start our solstice day with a sunrise visit to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.  On the way to the airport at Izmir, we will stop to see the recently excavated oracle at Claros. After our flight to Istanbul, we will finish last minute shopping at the Grand Bazaar.  Farewell dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

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