Amazing Tour: The Road to Konya

Bidding farewell to the coastal city of Antalya, steeped in ancient Turkish culture, the members of the Amazing Tour group, including the currently "hot" couple in showbiz, actor Binh An and Miss Vietnam 2018 first runner-up Bui Phuong Nga, two "hot travel bloggers" Hoang Le Giang and Ly Thanh Co, photographer Le The Thang, photographer Ngo Tran Hai An (Quy Coc Tu), YouTuber Ngo Huy Hoa (Hachi 8)... have set off for Konya, a city famous for its Sejuk architecture admired by many.

VISIT ISPARTA, THE "CITY OF ROSES"

To make the most of the long journey to Konya, the group stopped in Isparta, the "city of roses," to admire the Damark rose valley and observe the rose oil production process firsthand.

Here, only 25 liters of essential oil are produced annually, but they yield enormous value; one milligram of essential oil is worth an average of over $2,000. The members of the delegation couldn't hide their excitement at visiting this famous essential oil production facility in its homeland.

But that's not all; the members also witnessed and experienced the simple, peaceful, yet wonderful working life of the gentle and lovable local people.

Locals in Keçiborlu, Isparta, hold a weekly market on Wednesdays, bringing their own homegrown produce. Oranges, apples, bell peppers, lemons, dozens of varieties of olives… all completely organic, and very cheap, 10 Lira, or about 42,000 VND for a kilogram of fresh strawberries.

What's even better is that even in unnamed places, Türkiye can offer you breathtakingly beautiful photos. It's easy to understand why the members of the group were constantly updating their social media with such enthusiasm.

Stunning scenery along the way to Konya

SLOW LIVING IN KONYA

After nearly five hours of travel from Antalya, the group finally arrived in Konya. Naturally, no one in the group wanted to miss the opportunity to visit the Mevlana Museum, also known as the Mevlana Monastery, the Blue Tomb, or the Blue Dome. This is the shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the greatest monk, theologian, poet, and philosopher of Turkey.

Located on Aslanlı Kışla Cd, Karatay District, Konya City, the Mevlana Museum, built in 1274, features Seljuk architecture with a dome resting on pillars and a conical spire covered in turquoise.

Beyond the main entrance lies a marble-paved courtyard. Inside, there is a gallery displaying items Mevlana used, such as his clothing, prayer mat, and worn brown hat. Particularly noteworthy is his beard, carefully preserved in a metal box within a glass case, where many Muslim women often rest their heads to pray for protection.

More specifically, the entire group had the opportunity to attend a prayer service at Mevlana Kültür Mer. The religious atmosphere, intertwined with unique cultural elements in the architecture, made this place even more particularly attractive.

Continuing their journey to Sille, a small village near the town of Konya, the group was quite surprised to learn that it is one of the few villages where Cappadocian Greek was spoken until 1922.

The Greeks lived peacefully with the Turks in nearby Konya for over 800 years. It was for this reason that Sille was once a predominantly Christian village.

Wandering through the nooks and crannies of this small village, what stands out most is the feeling of "naturalness" and "unforcedness" it offers. Not striving to keep up with the tourist trends, Sille possesses a quiet, peaceful, and romantic charm... even when what you see before you is a cemetery – something usually associated with sadness. The graves of the Turks are typically located on the high hills near the village, surrounded by almond and apple trees in full bloom. Each grave is adorned with a different stone, without ostentation or distinction between rich and poor. It's gentle and peaceful in the spring sunshine. Standing here, life seems to slow down a little, allowing us to appreciate each moment more deeply.

It can be said that the cities of Antalya, Isparta, and Konya, while each possessing its own unique charm, all share one thing in common: their people are incredibly friendly, kind, and always open to visitors from afar. Ignoring the fictionalized images of war, instability, or danger portrayed in the media, what the group witnessed throughout their journey was simply a beautiful, peaceful, and friendly Türkiye.

As photographer Ngo Tran Hai An (Quỷ Cốc Tử) shared: "Muslim women with gentle smiles beneath their mysterious headscarves, men willing to interrupt their meals or work to place their hands on their chests and bow to strangers, shy children hiding their faces behind their mothers' clothes but timidly waving their tiny hands. That's Turkey, what more could you ask for..."

Stay tuned for more articles about our exciting Amazing Tour in Türkiye on Travellive or our official fanpage.Amazing TourOkay!

AMAZING TOUR 04

Amazing Tour 04, themed “Türkiye – A Legend Come True,” was initiated by Travellive magazine and sponsored by Nokia and Turkish Airlines. Beginning in 2013, Travellive launched the Amazing Tour program and collaborated with national tourism boards to promote destinations such as “Busan - Ulsan - Jeju, South Korea,” “Sabah – Land of Wind,” and “Manila and Cebu, Philippines.”

This trip will take 20 members through the ancient town of Antalya, the ruined city of Termesso, the ancient village of Sille, overnight stays in cave hotels in Cappadocia, the Underground Cistern, cruises on the Bosphorus Strait, admire blooming tulips, and stroll through the world-famous Grand Bazaar…

Find out and follow information about the trip to Türkiye on our fanpage:Amazing Tour

Following the conclusion of Amazing Tour 4, there will be an exhibition on Turkish tourism information from May 3rd to 5th at Saigon Center (Ho Chi Minh City) and the release of a travel photo book about the "land of magic carpets".

PV