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BMDG INTERFAITH TOUR TO TURKEY
BMDG is organizing an interfaith tour to Turkey through which some of the most prominent religious sites will be visited. We hope that this tour will be a unique opportunity for participants to better understand and appreciate the history of various faiths and to provide a joyful atmosphere to get to know one another in a peaceful journey.
The tour will take place between June 2nd and June 13th in 2004.
Expense Estimate
International flight ticket : $900 - $1000
Tour rate: $675
Destinations in turkey
Istanbul
Istanbul houses several historical sites of different religions such as the Blue Mosque which is famous for blue and white Iznik tiles and was built between 1609-1616 and the Hagia Sophia, one of the finest buildings built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian as the biggest Orthodox church of that time.
 The Basilica of St. Sophia(left), now called the Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.
Facing St. Sophia stands the supremely elegant, six-minaret, imperial Sultanahmet Mosque (below). Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. During the summer months an evening light and sound show both entertain and inform.
 The cascading domes and four slender minarets of Süleymaniye Mosque dominate the skyline on the Golden Horn's west bank. Considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in İIstanbul, it was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the renowned architect of the Ottoman golden age. On the crest of a hill, the building is conspicuous by its great size, which the four minarets that rise from each corner of the courtyard emphasize.
Canakkale
Pergamum, the spectacular citadel of one of the Roman cities and the Biblical city of Assos are among the several historical sites Canakkale houses.
Efes (Ephesus)
The most preserved archaeological site of Turkey, was also the home for the Artemis Temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. St. Paul, St. John and Virgin Mary visited the city in the Roman times. Ephesus was the first church among the Seven Churches of Revelation.
It is recorded that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus. after the death of Christ and that she spent her last days in a small house (Meryemana Evi) built for her on Bülbüldagi (Mt Koressos). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican, and Christians observe a commemoration ceremony every year on August 15th.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale houses an extremely large necropolis and an astoundingly preserved Roman theatre, complete with backstage and statues. It is also a spectacular natural site, unique in the world, that was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Thermal spring waters with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge have created fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers
Konya
Konya houses the sacred shrine of Whirling Dervishes, and tomb of Rumi, a great religious figure, and philosopher whose son, Sultan Veled, established the famous order of Whirling Dervishes.
 Konya is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities. It was known as Iconium in Roman times. The capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th century, it ranks as one of the great cultural centres of Turkey. During this period of artistic, political and religious growth, the mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi Order known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. The striking green tiled mausoleum of Mevlana is Konya's most famous building. Attached to the mausoleum the former dervish seminary serves now as a museum devoted to manuscripts of Mevlana's works and various artifacts related to the mysticism of the sect.. Every year, in the first half of December, this still active religious order holds a ceremony commemorating the Whirling Dervishes. The controlled, almost trance-like turning of the white robed men creates a mystical experience for the viewer.
Kapadokya (Cappadocia)
Cappadocia, one of the geological wonders of the world, has the most fascinating monuments of Hittite, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman times. Cappadocia's rock cut churches, monasteries; underground cities attract great number of visitors to the region.
The tour rate includes;
*Airport pickup and transfers upon arrival/departure
*4 nights lodging in Istanbul including breakfast
*1 night lodging in Canakkale including breakfast
*1 night lodging in Kusadasi including breakfast
*1 night lodging in Pamukkale including breakfast
*1 night lodging in Konya including breakfast
*2 nights lodging in Cappadocia including breakfast
*Private air-conditioned van & driver through out your trip including all expenses of the vehicle such as gas, highway tolls, parking fees etc.
*Private english speaking guidance through out your trip including all of his expenses
*All admission fees for the sites & museums mentioned in the program
*Ferry tickets from Istanbul to Bandirma
*All applicable taxes
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival in Istanbul. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Free day to relax. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2: Full day sightseeing tour in Istanbul. The visits include Ferry ride through the Bosphorus, Ortakoy, Dolmabahce Palace, Spice Market and Suleymaniye Mosque. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3: Second full day tour in Istanbul. The visits include Topkapi Palace,St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4: Morning departure from Istanbul on a fast ferry to Bandirma. Then drive to Canakkale. Visit the legandary city of Troy. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 5: Drive from Canakkale to Kusadasi. On the way visit Pergamon, one of the most important sites in Asia Minor, visits include Acropolis and Asclepion. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 6: Morning visit to the world famous greco-roman ancient city of Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Artemis Temple and the archeological museum of Ephesus. Later drive to Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 7: Morning visit to traverten pools of Pamukkale including swim in the sacred pool, ancient city of Hierapolis and Necrepol. In the afternoon drive to Konya. Overnight in Konya.
DAY 8: Morning visit to the tomb & museum of Mevlana, the spiritual leader of Whirling Dervishes. Later drive to Cappadocia. Visit Kaymakli Underground City, Agzikarahan Caravansarai. Sunset at Red Valley, panoramic view of Cappadocia. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 9: Full day sightseeing in Cappadocia. Visits include Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Avanos, Goreme Open Air Museum and Uchisar. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 10: Drive from Cappadocia back to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul in the evening. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 11: Transfer from your hotel to the airport. Departure from Istanbul.
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