AN P

ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL

DAY 1 : Arrival in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul where we will be met by our hospitality host. Istanbul is the former Byzantium - the powerful capital of the Byzantine Empire, the stronghold of Early Christianity. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 : Istanbul - Full Day City Tour

After breakfast, spend an unforgetable day of sightseeing; the Church of St. Savior in Chora, representing best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art with scenes from the life of Blessed Virgin, one of the earliest and most important Christian churches;  the Byzantine Hippodrome, where once horse and chariot races took place; St. Sophia Church, glory of the Byzantine Empire, built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture.  It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child; the impressive Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior.  Built by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century, and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets; the Topkapi Palace home of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years and the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 :Istanbul / Antakya

Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul Domestic Flight Airport for the flight to Antakya, Biblical "Antioch on the Orontes". Antioch (Acts 6:5; 11:19-30; 13; 1-3; 15:1-2,22-35) is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Visit St. Peter’s Grotto, the first Christian Rock Church, where early Christians of Antioch used to meet in secret. Paul and Barnabas set out on their first journey from Antioch. Visit the second richest Mosaic Museum of the world before proceed to Samandag, Biblical "Seleucia Pieria" which was the seaport of Antioch in Roman times, from which Paul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Antakya.

DAY 4 : Antakya / Cappadocia

After breakfast departure from the hotel.  Visit Tarsus (Acts 9:11,30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3; 25:29) which was the home of young Paul who was born there about the time Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Continue to Cappadocia.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 5 : Cappadocia

After breakfast departure from the hotel for a full day private sightseeing tour of Cappadocia. Visits to the Uc Guzeller, which are famed fairy chimneys; Devrent valley, has various types of fairy chimneys; Pasabaglari (Monk’s valley), where you will see many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here. Drive to Avanos, which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period.  Continue to visit to Goreme Open Air Museum, where this religious education was started.  You will visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescoes painted on the walls.  Visit Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors.  Taking some photos in Uchisar castle, which is the highest point in the region.  Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 : Cappadocia / Konya

After breakfast departure from the hotel and drive to Konya. Continue to Konya, Biblical "Iconium" (Acts 13:51; 14:1-6,19:16:2) Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people, but those against them were very influential and got the support of the majority on their side. Paul and Barnabas were warned in time enough to escape being stoned there. Visit also the Mosque and the Mausoleum of the Great poet Mevlana, the founder of the Whirling Dervishes order.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7 : Konya / Yalvac / Pamukkale

Leave Konya and drive to Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac). On the First Journey, St. Paul and St. Barnabas left the area of Perga without John Mark and proceeded to Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. The address given there caused the reaction that later characterized St. Paul’s mission journeys, some had a revival, others a riot.  Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its unique stalactite formations and the beautiful natural pools of warm water. Dinner and overnight in Hierapolis (Pamukkale).

DAY 8 : Pamukkale / Laodicea / Kusadasi

After breakfast departure from the hotel. In Pamukkale, visits to the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery “Necropolis”, the main street and gates, the thermal baths, the Roman theatre and the museum.  Then visit Laodecia (Rev. 3-14). Continue and Visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace.  Continue to Kusadasi.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9 :Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi

Drive and f/day visit of Ephesus (Acts: 17 and Rev. 2-1) visit the Basilica of John, the last House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Diana, along with other famous remains. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadası.

DAY 10 : Kusadasi / Izmir

After breakfast drive to Sardes (Rev: 3-1). Visit of the Temple of Artemis, the recently reconstructed gymnasium and the largest synagogue discovered in Asia Minor and continue on to Philadelphia (Rev: 3-7). Drive to Izmir transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11 : Izmir / Canakkale

After a short sightseeing tour of Izmir (ancient Smyrna and one of the Seven Churches (Rev: 2-8) and the visit of St Polycarp Church, continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches with remains of a Basilica and then to Pergamum (one of the Seven Churches of Asia) to see the majestic Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus (Throne of Satan), the Theater, Temples, Palaces, the Gymnasium, and the Asklepion (the ancient mediecal center), visit Assos, where Paul rejoined his companions after a 20 mile walk (Acts: 20-13),  Alexandria Troas, whence Paul, inspired by a dream, set sail to Neapolis in Macedonia on his Second missionary Journey (Act of the Apostles: 16.9). Drive to Canakkale and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12 : Canakkale / Troy / Istanbul

After breakfast Visit Troy the famous city of Homer's 'Iliad" among the remains of nine levels dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the Roman period. Continue to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 13 : Departure

Breakfast and transfer to the Istanbul airport