Excursion Whirling dervish & local dining experience tour at Istanbul

Experience a taste of traditional Turkish culture and cuisine during this private, half-day sightseeing excursion exclusively for Silversea guests.

Istanbul, Dede Efendi Museum, Wooden Mansion, Former Efendi Home, Private Visit

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Dede Efendi Museum. Dede Efendi is one of the biggest names in classical Turkish music. The influence of his works today are as fresh as when he first created them. Efendi wrote hundreds of songs, and composed music for the Mevlevi dervishes. The Dede Efendi Museum is housed in a lovely old wooden mansion that was once Dede's home. Today, this historical museum has been opened privately, and exclusively, for the benefit of Silversea guests.

Mevlevi Ritual

The son of Mevlana, Sultan Veled, and his associates considered the day of death a day of celebration and founded the Mevlevi order on the thoughts of Mevlana. The Mevlevi Ritual has been performed in Mevlevi Temples (or lodges) for hundreds of years. The whirling ritual, which is performed by Semazens, is proverbially associated with dervishes, the practice of the Mevlevi order in Turkey, and is part of a formal ceremony known as 'Sema', a means for man to reach actual existence. The Mevlevi ritual symbolizes the mystical meaning of divine love, passion, and spiritual maturity. The ritual whirling of the Semazens is an act of love, and a drama of faith.

Sema Ritual, Ali Ocakbasi Restaurant, Turkish Cuisine, Kebabs

The Sema ritual begins with local musicians playing ancient musical instruments with wonderful sounds, as the acoustics are very fine. Slowly, the Dervishes magically begin to spin with one hand to the ground and one hand to heaven, and their performance starts; a truly captivating cultural demonstration you've likely never experienced before. Following the ritual, re-board your coach and proceed to Ali Ocakbasi Restaurant, one of the best kebab restaurants in Istanbul with a Michelin recommendation. Upon arrival, enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine in a lovely atmosphere. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 20-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Istanbul, Dede Efendi Museum, Wooden Mansion, Former Efendi Home, Private Visit, Mevlevi Ritual, Sema Ritual, Ali Ocakbasi Restaurant, Turkish Cuisine

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.75 miles (about 1.2 kilometres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 20 steps at the Ismail Efendi Museum. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible nor suitable for guests with food allergies. Guests are advised to wear smart-casual evening attire (a collared shirt is recommended for men) with flat, closed-toe walking shoes (ladies can wear open-toed shoes), and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Due to the cooler evening temperatures, a sweater or light jacket is recommended. Sport shoes, t-shirts and/or shorts are not permitted. Guests must be at least 16 years old to participate on this tour. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. This tour operates in the evening only. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.