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Konya was the original capital of the empire of the Selcuk Turks. The city flourished in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and was a major centre of learning in the Muslim world. The famous teacher, mystic, and poet, Rumi, came to Konya from Afghanistan and was a renowned teacher and influential spiritual leader of he Selcuk Turks. Rumi created the whirling dance of the dervishes in Konya and established a religious order based on this mystical experience. | ||||||||
The city is still a major centre of pilgrimage for Muslims who come to pray at the tomb of Rumi. The Mevlevi, Rumi’s dervish order had enormous influence in the life of the Ottoman Empire from the thirteenth century until the founding of the republic. Konya is the home of the Sema--the whirling dance of the dervishes. In the twelfth century, this was a splendid capital, but Konya was largely destroyed by the Mongols. What remains today is special. Contemporary Konya is a busy and increasingly prosperous town which has a wonderful gold bazaar and a very atmospheric market. |
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Some touring Highlights in, and on the way to, Konya: Lake Egirdir,Sagalossos, Gordion Mevlana Muzesi, Selimye Camii, Alaettin Camii, Karatay Muzesi, Whirling Dervishes, Gold Bazaar, Catal Hoyuk, Yalvac, Antiocheia in Pisidia. ON TOURS: ANATOLIAN ADVENTURE, TRAVELLER’S TURKEY, PATHS OF THE SAINTS
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The name Cappadocia derives from the Persian and means land of the beautiful horses. The landscapes of this region of Turkey are world famous and deservedly so, and are a must see on any trip to Turkey. The vistas here are mystic, and the numerous underground cities and churches attest to its spiritual roots. Cappadocia became an important theological centre of the Byzantine Church. Our tours offer at least two full days exploring the wonderful vistas and sites of the region. Cappadocia has many smaller centres which give the region its special ambiance. You will visit all of them. |
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Some touring Highlights in Cappadocia: Uchisar,Goreme,Urgup, Avanos, Soganli, Zelve, Mustafapasa, Underground Cities: Kaymakli, Derinkuyu. Ozkonak, Fairy Chimneys, tuf, Goreme Open Air Museum, hot air balloons, Pigeon Valley, Old Christian churches and monasteries, ON TOURS: ANATOLIAN ADVENTURE, TRAVELLER’S TURKEY, PATHS OF THE SAINTS |
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Pamukkale which means cotton castle in Turkish is another famous destination for travellers in Turkey. The white cliffs are beautiful and the vistas are impressive. The Roman city of Hieropolis was at Pamukkale and the necropolis of the old city offers an impressive display of sarcophagi. Pamukkale is a fascinating trip Some Touring Highlights: Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Laodikya ON TOURS: ANATOLIAN ADVENTURE, PATHS OF THE SAINTS Aphrodisias |
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The wonderful city owes much of its ambiance to Kenan T. Erim of New York University who made its restoration and development his life’s work. Aphrodisias was a major religious and cultural centre of the classical world. Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, the city was an important religious centre. Aphrodisias also had an important school of sculpture and examples from the sculpture studios of Aphrodisias can be found all over the ancient world--from North Africa to Sicily. | ||||||||
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Emptying into the Aegean Sea in Ionia, this river and its fertile valley gave the English language the term meander as it has so often changed its course. In the process, it has created one of the most fertile farming valleys in Turkey. This valley is also a major route east through Cappadocia to the higher plateaux of eastern Anatolia. | ||||||||
Some highlights of Aphrodisias (Afrodisias): Theatre, Baths of Hadrian, Temple of Aphrodite, Bishop’s Palace, Tetrapylon, Portico of Tiberius, Agora ON TOURS: ANATOLIAN ADVENTURE, TRAVELLER’S TURKEY, PATHS OF THE SAINTS |
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