Tohum

Discover the many faces and transformations of the female figure throughout the ages and civilizations from the Neolithic, to the Hittite and Lycian; from the Greek and Roman to the Christian and finally to the Muslim and secular women of modern Turkey. Discover the secrets of Anadolu, Full Mother, Ancient Goddess. We journey to the land of the Sufi Experience and the poetry and wisdom of Rumi. We will visit his mausoleum, the ancient sacred sites of Anatolia, Konya, Ankara, Catal Huyuk and the Gold Coast of Turkeys western shores by the sea.

MAY 16 : SIRINCE VILLAGE: Arrive in by boat in Kusadasi. From the port we drive to the picturesque village of Sirince where we will spend two nights. This is the site of an old wealthy Greek village where some of the stone house have been renovated by Turkish environmentalists. Welcome Dinner.

MAY 17 : EPHESUS: The site at Ephesus is the best preserved Roman city on the Mediterranean. It was also the seat of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artemis if the Goddess of Fertility and the Wilderness and was worshipped at Ephesus before the onset of Christianity. Her sensual image transformed gradually to the Virgin Mary--Visit the Museum and the House of the Virgin Mary.

MAY 18: ANKARA: We will take a short flight from Izmir to Ankara, the capital of Turkey to visit the Museum of Anatolian civilizations which houses one of the richest collections of Neolithic matriarchal artifacts in the world. Most of the Goddess statues come from the archeological site at Catalhoyuk which we will visit. May 19 KONYA: We travel to the city of Konya where the mystic poet Rumi lived and is buried. He is the spiritual father of the Mevlevi order of Sufism who practice the art of whirling as their main spiritual ritual. We will visit the mausolem and attend a Whirling Dirvish Ceremony.

May 20 CATALHUYUK: Visit the Neolithic archeological Goddess site. Spend the night at traditional Village homes.

May 21 & 22 & 23 : The Mediterranean We will travel to the west coast of Turkey and will stay for a few days in an eco-lodge located on a beautiful beach where Loggerhead Turtles lay their eggs. (This is the season, so we might see them) This is also where the remains of one of the legendary Mt. Olympus sites is located. The panorama is magnificent. Opportunities for boat tours, swimming, relaxing and hiking in the Lycian forest.

May 24 & 25 & 26 Istanbul: We fly from Antalya to Istanbul and spend our last days visiting the main historic sites, enjoying a boat cruise on the Bosphorus Straight that separates Asia from Europe, shopping in the covered markets, touring the mosques and entertaining with our Turkish hosts