Tour Route
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
|
All
prices
subject
to
availability
at time
of
booking. |
|
Person
in
Double /
Twin
Sharing
|
1490 € |
|
Single
Room
Supplement |
307 € |
|
Ask
About
Special
Rates
for
Christian
Educators
& Groups
of All
Sizes
|
| |
Important
Information:
The
above
given
rates
are in
EURO,
per
person
sharing
twin,
18% VAT
included.
Any
increase
in taxes
will be
reflected
to the
prices.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure.
|
|
Tour
Price
Includes
Arrival,
departure
airport
transfers
and
ground
transportation
by
air-conditioned
vehicles,
Accommodation
in
mentioned
category.
Meals as
indicated
in the
itinerary
(B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
entrance
fee to
the
various
sites
and
museums
Not
Included
International
flights,
drinks,
personal
expenses.
Optional
tours
such as
Turkish
night
and
Turkish
bath.
PS.
For
group
requirements
other
languages
are
available
|
