DAY 1 - ARRIVE ISTANBUL
DAY 2 - ISTANBUL
DAY 3 - ISTANBUL - ADANA
After breakfast enjoy the fantastic views of the Bosphorus on a refreshing boat cruise. Then transfer to the Istanbul Airport to fly to Adana for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 4 - ADANA - ANTAKYA - ADANA
Depart early to Biblical Antioch (Antakya) where the faithful first Christians lived. Visit St. Peter’s Grotto, a secret cave church of early believers, and the Mosaic Museum which houses elaborate mosaics of the early Christian era.
DAY 5 - ADANA - CAPPADOCIA
In the morning continue to the cozy town of Tarsus where St. Paul was born. Visit St. Paul’s Well, the Roman Street with its famous Cleopatra Gate and the Armenian Church, which occasionally is still being used for Mass. Then drive to Cappadocia for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 6 - CAPPADOCIA
DAY 7 - CAPPADOCIA - KONYA
DAY 8 - KONYA - PAMUKKALE
DAY 9 - PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI
DAY 10 - KUSADASI - IZMIR
DAY 11 - IZMIR - ASSOS
On this day we set out for the Acropolis of Pergamon, the sophisticated city of the Hellenistic world - noted for its temples, aqueducts, as well as the library and the Altar of Zeus. Next, visit the Asclepion, the ancient healing centre where the great physician Galen practiced medicine. Drive to Assos for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 12 - ASSOS - CANAKKALE
DAY 13 - CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL
DAY 14
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
Upon arrival you will be greeted and accompanied to your hotel. In the evening you will attend a welcome cocktail and briefing of the tour led by your tour director. Dinner at the hotel.
A full day tour of Istanbul comprising of the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. Have dinner and stay overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Cappadocia beginning at the Open Air Museum of Göreme - renowned for its rock-hewn monasteries and its churches decorated with Biblical and Apocryphal scenes of frescoes. Then enjoy the mind-blowing lunar landscape of the region by visiting its major towns and valleys including Avcılar, Uchisar and Avanos. Visit an underground city before returning to the hotel.
After a morning stop at the world famous rug factory, to learn the art of weaving, leave Cappadocia for Biblical Iconium (Konya). Take a short photo break on the way at a 13th century Silk Road Caravansaray followed by a visit to Konya’s main attractions - the Museum of the Whirling Dervishes and the Medrese of Karatay - reputed for its elegant tile mosaics. Have dinner and stay overnight in Konya.
On the way to Pamukkale, visit the vast archaeological site of Pisidian Antioch, consisting of an Imperial Temple, a colonnaded street, a bath complex and a church where St. Paul is believed to have performed his first recorded sermon in Acts. Have dinner and stay overnight in Pamukkale.
In the morning discover the ruins of ancient Hierapolis where St. Philip the Evangelist was martyred. Then spend your free time enjoying the unique cotton-white calcium formations of Pamukkale with its natural hot springs, followed by a short visit to the neighbouring city of Laodicea (claimed to be one of the 7 churches of Revelation). In the afternoon explore the historical site of Miletus, where St. Paul set sail for Jerusalem at the end of his 3rd missionary journey. Have dinner and stay overnight in Kusadası.
Continue on your journey to one of the most preeminent Greco-Roman sites in the world, Ephesus. Visit its Celcius Library and massive theatre in which St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. The rest of the day will be reserved for the Basilica of St. John and the Virgin Mary’s House. Drive to Izmir for dinner and an overnight stay.
In the morning visit Assos (the meeting place of St. Luke and St. Paul in the 3rd missionary journey) with its magnificent view of the Aegean. Then proceed to Alexandria Troas where St. Paul dreamt of a Macedonian calling him. The day ends with the visit to the immortal city of Homer, Troy. Have dinner and stay overnight in Canakkale.
Depart in the early morning to cross the legendary Strait of Hellespont by ferry-boat with a visit to the memorials of the Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916) on the European side of the Dardanelles. Drive back to Istanbul for a farewell dinner and an overnight stay.
