General

Tour Style : Private Group Tour
Duration : 13 Days – 12 Nights
Highlights : Istanbul-Adana-Samandagi-Antioch-Tarsus-Cappadocia-Konya-Perge-Aspendos-Pamukkale-Ephesus-Izmir-Pergamon-Troy

Day 1: Arrival Day in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! We meet you at airport and transfer you to your hotel for overnight. (D)

Day 2: Istanbul / Adana
After breakfast, early check-out for a full day visit of the city, including the Hagia Sophia church, glory of the Byzantine Empire; the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles from Nicea (Iznik); Byzantine Hippodrome where once horse and chariot races took place; the Church of St. Savior in Chora, representing best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art with scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin; Topkapi Palace with its magnificent exhibitions of the treasury, silverware, costumes and jewellery. Transfer to airport for the flight to Adana. Transfer to your hotel, dinner and overnight. (B-D)

Day 3: Adana / Antakya / Samandagi / Adana
In the morning a coach ride to Antakya (Antioch); the city where the disciples were called "Christians" for the first time (Acts 11:26). Visit to the St.Peter's Church – one of the first Catholic Churches in the world; Antakya Museum of Mosaics, the most impressive one of this kind in the Near East. In the afternoon, a brief coach ride to Samandagi (Seleucia Pereira), the port from where Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus on their first journey (Acts 13:4). Return to Adana, dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-D)

Day 4: Adana / Tarsus / Cappadocia
Breakfast and early departure for Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Arrival and a visit to St. Paul's house which exists today. Then proceed to Cappadocia. An orientation drive through Urgup. Dinner and overnight at the cave hotel in Cappadocia. (B-D)

Day 5: Cappadocia
Full day tour of the region to visit Goreme Open Air Museum with chapels and churches carved out of soft rock, famous for the well-preserved frescoes. In the afternoon, visit Pasabag Valley, a site most famous for its troglodyte dwellings; then the underground city of Kaymakli, which was built by early Christians fleeing from Roman persecutions. Dinner at hotel. (B-D)

Day 6: Cappadocia / Konya
In the morning, depart for Konya (Iconium) where Paul and Barnabas were threatened by being stoned (Acts 15:5). Visits to St. Paul Church and Mevlana Museum (founder of Whirling dervishes). Dinner and overnight in Konya. (B-D)

Day 7: Konya / Yalvac / Antalya
Departure for Antalya. On the way, a visit to Yalvac (Pisidian Antioch), a town where St. Paul stayed for quite a long time and used it as a base while spreading Christianity in the region (Acts 13:14-50). Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B-D)

Day 8: Antalya / Perge / Aspendos / Antalya
In the morning, a visit to Perge, where St. Paul and Luke stayed long enough to preach and talk with people on their return from Antioch (Acts 14:25). Then a visit to Aspendos, one of the most well preserved ancient sites in Turkey. Then a short city tour in Antalya (Attalia), from where they went back to Antioch to complete the first journey. City tour includes, the Hadrianus Gate and the Groove Minaret Mosque. Dinner at the hotel in Antalya. (B-D)

Day 9: Antalya / Colossae / Hierapolis / Pamukkale
In the morning drive to Colossae which Paul did not visit but sent a letter saying "to the Saints and faithful brothers of Christ who are at Colossae; grace be on you, and peace from God and Jesus Christ" (Colossians 1:2). Then continue to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis, the center of Epaphra's work (Colossians 4:13) when Paul was writing to strengthen his preachment. A visit to the white travertine cascades of Pamukkale. Dinner at hotel. (B-D)

Day 10: Pamukkale / Ephesus / St. Polycarp Church / Izmir
Early departure for Ephesus, visits here include the House of Virgin Mary; the Basilica of St. John; and the antique city of Ephesus, where St. Paul stayed and taught for two years (Acts 19:10), and where he promised on his second journey, "I shall come back to you if it is God's will" (Acts 18:21). Proceed to Izmir and visit the St. Polycarp Church. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Izmir. (B-D)

Day 11: Izmir / Pergamum / Alexandria Troas / Canakkale
Early departure and drive to Pergamum; visit the Asklepion Sanctuary and the Acropolis including the Altar of Zeus, which is said to be "the place where Satan has his throne" (Revelation 2:13); the Trojan Temple; the world's steepest theater; and the Red Basilica, which was originally a center of pagan worship and afterwards used as a church dedicated to St. John. Continue to Alexandria Troas where Paul is said to have visited at least twice; first when he and Timothy had wanted to go in to Bythinia but were prevented by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:8) and the second time on his way to Jerusalem when he preached 12 hours without stopping (acts 20:11). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Canakkale. (B-D)

Day 12: Canakkale / Troy / Istanbul
After breakfast, a visit to the world famous ancient city of Troy including its nine layers of civilizations. Then a short ferry ride across Dardanelles and continue to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-D)

Day 8 : Final Day
Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight. (B)

B) Breakfast – (D) Dinner