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IN THE FOOT STEPS OF ST. PAUL
DAY 01 ISTANBUL
On your arrival we do your transfer to hotel. You have the day free to begin exploring Turkey´s cultural capital or to relax at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 ISTANBUL
Departing in the morning from the hotel. Discover the classical highlights of Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisks, underground cistern adorned with classical columns, the magnificent Haghia, Sophia Blue Mosque You will also visit the jeweled interior of the Topkapi Palace. At the end of the day ou are free to explore the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar that houses more than 4, 000 shops.
DAY 03 ISTANBUL-IZNIK-BURSA
After breakfast drive to Iznik (Nicea) Two ecumenical councils were held here: the First Ecumenical Council of 325 and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. Visit the ruins of the St. Sophia Church where the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held. Drive to Bursa. Overnight in Bursa.
DAY 04 CANAKKALE–TROY-ALEXANDRA TROAS
After breakfast drive to Canakkale, visit the site of one of the most famous wars of ancient times, the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer´s Iliad and ´Discovered´ in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann. Next visit Alexandra Troas where St.Paul met Luke. Overnight in Ayvalik.
DAY 05 PERGAMON-THYATIRA-IZMIR
After breakfast drive to Pergamon which was one of the most beautiful cities of his ancient world. Its architects and sculptors were among the finest in the Hellenistic world. The majestic acropolis looms behind the modern town and is our first destination where we will visit the Temple of Trajan, Hellenistic barracks and tower, palaces, library, temple of Athena, theatre, temple of Dionysus, altar of Zeus. Asklepion was one of the most famous shrines and therapeutic centers in the ancient world and the Red Court dedicated to St. John. Leaving Pergamum behind us Then visit Akhisar, the site of ancient Thyatira. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 06 SARDIS-PHILADELPHIA
After breakfast departure for daily tour. Visit Sardis, the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, visit the Church built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Alasehir, ancient Philadelphia. Return to Izmir, visit St. Policarp Church. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 07 EPHESUS-MILETOS-DYDIMA
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 Celsius, 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 Dydima 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 Miletos, 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.
DAY 08 APHRODISIAS-HIERAPOLIS-LAODICEA
After breakfast we will depart hotel for our visits to Pamukkale. On the way Visit Aphrodisias the ancient city of some of the world ´s most beautiful architectural wonders, visit one of the largest ancient Theaters in the world, the Odeon, Bishop s Palace, Stadium, Temple of Aphrodite and the Museum with the gorgeous reliefs and statues of the sculptors of Aphrodisias. Drive to discover the ancient tourist resort of Asia Minor, Ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. We will also visit the calcium pools for which Pamukkale is named (Cotton Castle). then visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 9 PATARA-DEMRE(MYRA)-ANTALYA
Early this morning we´ll depart to Demre(ancient Myra). On the way we visit Patara. Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul´s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara was also the birthplace of St.Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus. Drive to Demre to visit the Lycian city, rock cut tombs and a Roman theater are the spots. We visit the Church of St. Nicholas, bishop of Demre in the 4th century. The legends that surround St. Nicholas, particularly of the miracles he performed in his lifetime, have left him identified today as Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Arrive in Antalya late afternoon. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 10 PERGE-ASPENDOS-SIDE-ANTALYA
Next morning we´ll drive along the east coast of Antalya to an important Pamphylian city, Perge, which 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. This city lived its most glorious times under Romans. Then we shall drive through a modern holiday center and golfers´ paradise Belek, then drive to Aspendos where we shall visit the well preserved great theater of antiquity with seating for 15,000, which is still used for various performances. Every year in June, famous opera and ballet festivals take place breathtakingly in this huge antique theater. We shall drive to Side. Columned street, the basilica, the museum and the 15000 spectator capacity stunning theater and the temple of Dionysus await us. When we´ll reach the harbor we´ll see temples of Athena & Apollo. Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 11 PISIDIAN ANTIOCH-LYSTRA-KONYA(ICONIUM)
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 our drive to biblical site of Lystra where Paul and Barnabas came after Iconium and they met a cripple who was healed by Paul. In the afternoon, arrival to Konya (Iconium) we visit the Mevlana Museum and the tomb of Mevlana, the founder of the mystical Whirling Dervishes, Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare. Overnight in Konya.
DAY 12 AVANOS-URGUP-KAYMAKLI-CAPADOCCIA
After we have our breakfast at the hotel, we continue our tour as we travel east to Cappadocia "The Land of Beautiful Horses". It 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 esence. we will depart hotel for guiding you through this amazing mystical landscape, will be like showing you around another planet. Here we will visit the ancient underground cities of Kaymakli, Guvercinlik and Devrent Valleys; the natural rock castle at Uchisar. Lying through the Kizilirmak River banks, Avanos is famous with its impressing local architecture and handicrafts. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 13 GOREME-ANTAKYA(Antioch)
Departing in the morning from the hotel to visit the beautiful open-air museums at Goreme, where the remains of churches and Christian settlements date back thousands of years. A place where you simply let your mind wander and be amazed at this beautiful region. Drive to Antakya, the ancient Antioch where Christians were first named and where St. Paul began his missionary journeys. Overnight in Antakya.
DAY 14 ANTAKYA-TARSUS
After breakfast, Visit the Cave of St. Peter and the Museum of Mosaics. Continue to Seleucia Pieria, the actual Samandag, where St. Paul and St. Barnabas set sail for Cyprus in their first missionary journey. drive to Tarsus which was the birthplace of St. Paul. We will have a chance to walk the streets of Tarsus. Transfer to hotel, overnight in Mersin.
Day 15 ADANA-ISTANBUL
After breakfast drive to Adana airport flight to Istanbul. Transfer to Istanbul airport for departure.
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