Tour Route

Istanbul Iznik Bursa Canakkale Pergamon Izmir Sardis Philadelphia Didyma Hierapolis Laodicea Antalya Pisidian Antioch Konya Goreme Tarsus Adana

Tour informations

DAY 01 ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL
Transfer to hotel Centrum in old Istanbul. Your tour director will will greet/meet the tour members at 7pm in lobby .

 

DAY 02 ISTANBUL (BL)
Sight seeing will start with the classics of Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisks, underground cistern adorned with columns, the magnificent Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque of blue Nicean tiles. After lunch, walk onto Topkapi Palace by St. Irene.Next is St. Chora Museum with the biblical frescoes and wall illustrations. Late afternoon is the time spared for the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar with over 4, 000 shops. The tour will return to hotel but if you wish to linger on in the Bazaar, your hotel will be made easy to locate by your guide.

DAY 03 ISTANBUL-IZNIK-BURSA (BLD)
After breakfast, we are going on boat on the Bosphorus. This legendary strait linking Europe to Asia on 2 suspension bridges flows to BlackSea along with castles, 19th century mansions, picturesque villages and the extravagant baroque palaces of the late Ottoman sultans. Our bus will meet us on Asia Istanbul to drive us to Iznik (Nicea) of two ecumenical councils held here: the First Ecumenical Council in 325 and the other,7thEcumenical Council in 787. Touch the remains of the St. Sophia Church where the 7th Ecumenical Council was held. The day will end at Bursa for dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 04 ÇANAKKALE–TROY-ALEXANDRA TROAS (BLD)
After breakfast and check-out, we are back on road for Canakkale, for the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer's Iliad with Helen, Paris, Achilles.We will stop at Alexandra Troas where St.Paul met Luke, Dine and overnight at Altinoluk.

 

DAY 05 PERGAMON-THYATIRA-IZMIR (BLD)
After breakfast, we take off for Pergamon-was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world where most prominent architects and sculptors concentrated in Hellenistic era. The majestic acropolis is our first stop to visit the Temple of Trajan, Hellenistic barracks and tower, palaces, library, temple of Athena, theatre, temple of Dionysus, remains of altar of Zeus-. Asklepion-a popular shrine and therapeutic center in the ancient world- and the Red Court dedicated to St. John. Proceed to Thyatira, today Akhisar. Return to Izmir to dine and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 06 SARDIS-PHILADELPHIA (BLD)
After breakfast, depart for Sardis, the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, visit the church built on the grounds of Temple of Artemis. Continue to Alasehir, ancient Philadelphia. Visit St. Policarp Church in Izmir on the way to hotel for dinner and overnight

 

DAY 07 EPHESUS-MILETOS-DYDIMA (BLD)
After breakfast Drive to Ephesus where St. Paul stayed a while. visit the house of Virgin Mary, which is a major pilgrimage site, then Ephesus, with the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater. Basilica of St. John and remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was known as one of Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Drive to Didyma which is the gratest temple site of Turkey. The oracle of the Apollo Temple was after them of Delphi the most important of Asia Minor. The temple district was under the administration of Miletus, with it was connected by a 16 km long parade street. Continue for a tour of Miletus. St. Paul and his companions traveled via Mytilene, Chios and Samos to Miletus, where St. Paul delivered his touching farewell address to the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death. Overnight in Kusadasi Hotel. Included Meals: (Breakfast & lunch & Dinner)
 

DAY 08 APHRODISIAS-HIERAPOLIS-LAODICEA (BLD)
After breakfast, we will depart hotel for our visits to Pamukkale. First stop is Aphrodisias, another ancient city but with world’s most adored architectural wonders, the Theaters is one of the largest in the world, the Odeon, Bishop s Palace, and the impressive-best preserved stadium from ancient times. Temple of Aphrodite and the Museum with the gorgeous reliefs and statues by the master sculptors of Aphrodisias. Drive onto Hierapolis, today Pamukkale, with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis where St. Philip was martyred. We will also spare time for the calcium pools for which Pamukkale. After lunch, visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale Lycus River.

 

DAY 9 PATARA-DEMRE (MYRA)-ANTALYA (BLD)
Early morning call , will depart us to Demre(ancient Myra). On the way we visit Patara. Patara, known for end of St. Paul’s missionary work of his 3rd missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara is also the birthplace of St.Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and later Santa Claus. Next stop is Demre -the Lycian city with rock cut tombs and the Roman theater, the Church of St. Nicholas, of the 4th century. St. Nicholas, particularly of the miracles he performed in his lifetime, have left him identified today as Santa Claus or Father Christmas. The day will end at Antalya- Attalus in ancient times. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

 

DAY 10 PERGE-ASPENDOS-SIDE-ANTALYA (BLD)
Today, we go to eastern coast of Antalya to a Pamphylian city, Perge, was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. Centuries later St. Paul preached here. Most of the ruins in Perge such as a theater, baths and a stadium are from the Roman period dated to the most glorious times under Romans. Next stop is Aspendos with the well preserved great theater of antiquity with seating for 15,000, today used/favoured for musical and theatrical performances thanks to its acoustics. No doubt it is a privilege to attend one. Side, the neighbouring antique city with columned street, the basilica, the museum and the 15000 spectator capacity stunning theater and the temple of Dionysus, is another highlight of the day.await us. Return to Antalya for dinner and overnight.Overnight in Antalya at Hotel.

 

DAY 11 PISIDIAN ANTIOCH-LYSTRA-KONYA(ICONIUM) (BLD)
After breakfast drive to Antioch of Pisidia where St. Paul preached his first recorded sermon and was expelled from the city. Visit the ruins of the two Basilicas, continue to biblical site of Lystra where Paul and Barnabas came after Iconium and met a cripple who was healed by Paul. After lunch, arrive to Konya of Islamic mystic of whirling dervishes, the lecture at his tomb will reveal more of his philosophy. Konya also features architectural art of the Seljuk civilization. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 12 AVANOS-URGUP-KAYMAKLI-CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
Leave Konya behind, heading to North will get us to Cappadocia "The Land of Beautiful Horses", was home to the 4th Century “Cappadocian Fathers,” St. Basil, Gregory Nyssa and Gregory Nazianzus who spent their lives tirelessly combating the heresies plaguing the early church. Through their hard work and God’s grace, they influenced the Nicene Councils who eventually agreed that the father, son and holy spirit are three distinct persons of the same essence. Discover this amazing mystical landscape like from another planet, visit the underground cities of Kaymakli, Guvercinlik and Devrent Valleys; the natural rock castle at Uchisar. Avanos with pottery art through ages is still impressing people, today. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dine and overnight at hotel. Optional event : Mysterious ritual of Turkish Whirling Dervishes will touch your soul!)

 

DAY 13 GOREME-ANTAKYA(Antioch) (BLD)
Check-out from hotel after breakfast and back on the road first to visit the open-air museum of Goreme, with the remains of churches and Christian settlements date back thousands of years, then drive to Antakya towards east, the ancient Antioch where Christians were first freely named and where St. Paul began his missionary journeys. Dine and overnight in Antakya.

 

DAY 14 ANTAKYA-TARSUS (BLD)
After breakfast, visit the Cave of St. Peter and the Museum of Mosaics. Continue to Seleucia Pieria, today, Samandag, where St. Paul and St. Barnabas set sail for Cyprus in their first missionary journey. drive to Tarsus -the birthplace of St. Paul. Walk on the antique streets of Tarsus. Dinner and overnight in Adana at hotel.

Day 15 ADANA-ISTANBUL (B)
After breakfast ,transfer to Adana airport for flight to Istanbul for connecting flight/s to next destinations if not have extended programme in Turkey.

 

 

Tour Price