The TSG team will greet you at Istanbul Airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.
TSG advises: A half-day Dolmabahce Palace Tour can be an inspiring alternative for those who do not want to wait until tomorrow to explore the city, the Whirling Dervish Show, or the Rythm Dance Show might be better for the night.

(Breakfast included)
The tour will start after breakfast. Today you will visit one of the most special churches in Istanbul. Like the old city destinations, these churches are worth seeing. We will visit the Patriarchate at Fener, which dates back to the early days of Christianity and is an architectural masterpiece that blends Byzantine, Ottoman, and Neoclassical styles. One of the oldest and most important Greek Orthodox churches in Istanbul, Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church, is our next destination. Despite being damaged by fires several times, the most valuable item in the structure, the patriarchal throne, has survived. It is believed that the throne dates back to the 5th century.

The Church of St. Mary Pammacaristos, considered one of Istanbul's finest examples of Byzantine art, will be our next stop. The interior decoration is a mixture of Byzantine and Ottoman features, and its beauty will enchant you. The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, on the other hand, is one of the few cast-iron construction churches around the world. It was recently restored and made accessible to the public.

The Church of Panagia of Blachernae is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites and is the home of magnificent 14^th century mosaics and frescoes, which we will visit before our last stop at St. Savior in Chora. In St. Savior in Chora, you will be impressed with the masterpieces of Byzantine art. Overnight in Istanbul.

Please Note that due to restoration, St. Savior in Chora could be temporarily closed. The other destinations are open for visits during the day, and Sunday rites are held regularly. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Upon completing breakfast, we embark on a journey towards Ankara, which is the capital city of Turkey. Upon our arrival in Ankara, we engage in a sightseeing tour, which includes visiting the Anatolian Civilization Museum, the Temple of Augustus, and Ataturk’s Mausoleum. You can explore the cultural and historical development of Anatolia in the Anatolian Civilization Museum. The museum showcases a variety of exhibits ranging from the Paleolithic period to the Byzantine era. One of the museum's most famous exhibits is the Hittite Gallery, which contains a vast collection of Hittite artifacts, including monumental stone sculptures and reliefs. 

The Augustus Temple is the next visiting site. It is an ancient Roman temple located in the Ulus district that was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, in the early 1st century AD. The temple is notable for its well-preserved facade, which features a portico of six columns topped by a triangular pediment. The temple's facade is adorned with reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Augustus and his family, as well as mythological figures. 

Ataturk's Mausoleum, also known as Anitkabir, is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first President of the modern Republic of Turkey. The mausoleum's architecture is notable for its grandeur and the use of modernist and traditional Turkish elements. The exterior of the mausoleum is adorned with sculptures and reliefs depicting the history of the Turkish people. Ataturk's Mausoleum is not only a place of commemoration but also an important symbol of Turkish national identity. Following the sightseeing tour, we then proceed to our hotel in Ankara, where we enjoy a delectable dinner and spend the night.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, continue to Cappadocia with a lunch/rest stop in Aksaray. In Cappadocia, we will explore the scenic Ihlara Valley, where early Christians carved some 3,500 cave churches from the tuff rock. With their numerous wall paintings and Christian symbols, these chapels are astounding in their beauty and tranquility.

The first Christians built dozens of underground cities beginning in the second century to flee first the Romans and then the Arab invaders. Some of these underground cities are probably older. Such cities have carved-out rooms for kitchens, bedrooms, stables, and chapels for worship that descend five to ten stories into the ground. You will explore Ozkonak Underground City, which is one of the best preserved underground cities in the region, with your guide. Overnight in a Cappadocia. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

Visit Cappadocia for a full-day excursion to see the incredible red rock cones, troglodyte churches, and homes from 4000 BC. These incredible landscapes of volcanic ash were formed by mother nature 3 million years ago.

The historic fortress of Uchisar Castle is a naturally occurring rock formation that has been shaped over centuries by erosion and volcanic eruptions, creating a remarkable and eye-catching geological formation. The Byzantine Empire initially constructed the castle in the seventh century as a barrier against Arab incursions. The Seljuks and the Ottomans, two later civilizations to use it, embellished the castle with their own architectural and decorative features. From the castle, you can explore the Guvercinlik Valley.

Goreme Open Air Museum, on the other hand, is the home of dozens of churches and unbelievably beautiful frescoes. You can view notable, well-preserved frescoes that feature scenes from the lives of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the saints at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Girls and Boys Monastery, St. Basil’s Church, Elmali Church, Saint Barbara Church, Serpent Church, Malta Crusader Church, Dark Church, and more.

The area's highest concentration of fairy chimneys is found at Zelve Open Air Museum, which was also a significant Christian settlement between the 9th and the 13th centuries. Also, it has been known that the first religious seminars were given to the priests in Zelve.

For over 4000 years, Avanos has been the center of pottery and ceramics production in Anatolia, thanks to the region's red clay resources. You can shop and explore the traditional way of making pottery. Later, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast, drive to Tarsus, which will take approximately 2 hours. Tarsus was the birthplace of St. Paul. He was a tent cloth weaver like his father, and when he was 13, he went to Jerusalem for his religious education. In Tarsus, we will visit St. Paul's Well, which is believed to have curing water. St. Paul Memorial Museum, which was built in 1850 by the Orthodox Arab-Greek Community, will be visited too. The Seven Sleepers Caves, where it is believed that seven Christian youths hid while fleeing the cruel Roman Emperor Decius and slept for 300 years, is the next stop on our tour. At the same time, it is a sacred place for Islam too. The Cleopatra Gate and the Ancient Roman Road are on our itinerary. After the tour, we will ride to Hatay, which will take 3 hours for dinner and overnight.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Following breakfast, we will tour the city's ancient religious sites and its modern ones. We will go to the Saint Pierre Church in Hatay, which is regarded as a significant historical and religious site and is thought to be one of the oldest churches in the entire world. The Habib Neccar Mosque, Anatolia's oldest, will be the next stop. We will explore the rare ancient Roman mosaics in the Hatay Archaeology Museum. Its collection dates back to the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries AD, and today it is one of the most visited sites in Hatay. The most well-known pieces in the collection are The Gypsy Girl, The Three Graces, which depict three goddesses from Greek mythology, The Birth of Venus, Hercules and Omphale, and The Amazon Queen Penthesilea. We will return to Mersin for the night after visiting the Harbiye Waterfall. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Set out west along the Mediterranean coast on a well-known coastal road. Take a lunch break in Anamur. Anamur District is Turkey's southernmost point and is famous for its bananas and peanuts. Anemorium which was the political and economic hub in Anatolia and Cilicia throughout the Roman era will be visited after the lunch. The Mediternean view will capture you. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we have a very full day. We will visit the ancient city of Side, where Paul, Barnabas, and Mark landed during their missionary journeys to its old port. Later, they sailed to Antioch. It was one of the wealthiest port cities in Pamphylia in antiquity, and today the old porthe theatre, columnar road, Nymphaeum, Vespasian Monument, and historical houses can still be visited. The next destination is Perge.
In ancient times, Perge used to have a reputation for its sculptures. Also, it has been known that one of the most important figures of Christianity, St. Paul, arrived in Perge during his missionary travels. Because it takes place in the Bible, the city is considered one of the holiest places in Christianity.
Next is Aspendos, an ancient city that is known for its ancient theater. It was built by the architect Zenon, son of Theodoros, during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161–180 AD). Today, it is the best preserved Roman theater not just in Anatolia but also in the whole Mediterranean world. Overnight in Antalya.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive to Laodicea (Rev. 3:14–22), which will take you back to the first century and was condemned by St. John in Revelation (Act: 4:15). Here you will hear the story of a people who were ordered to repent from investing in material riches that make them miserable, but the gold has overcome. 

Then drive to Hierapolis and explore incredible excavations; including a Byzantine church, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Plutonium, which pagan cults once called "the entrance to hell." Examine the intriguing sites of the churches of Revelation. The churches here in Hierapolis, Colossae, and Laodicea once flourished under the ministry of Epaphras (Colossians 4:12–13). 

Next at Pamukkale, enjoy the "Cotton Castles" of brilliant white calcium rock formations and hot - water travertines, where hot mineral waters emerge from the earth and cascade over cliffs. As the water-cools, the calcium precipitates and clings to the cliffs, forming snowy white travertines (waterfalls of white stone), which give credence to the name Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle.". This enchanting place is one of the natural wonders of Asia Minor. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast, drive to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7 - 12), your Bible will come alive as you read it in light of firsthand study. This city was located along an important trade route that linked Pergamon in the north with Laodicea to the south. In A.D. 17, an earthquake devastated twelve Asian cities, including Philadelphia, and for a time the people lived in fear of aftershocks. Philadelphia was rebuilt with help from Emperor Tiberius.

At Sardes (Rev. 3:1 - 5), your thoughts will turn to the Old Testament period following the 586 B.C. destruction of Jerusalem. That was the time when the phrase "rich as Croesus" originated. Croesus (560 - 546 B.C..) was the king of Lydia, and Sardis was his capital. Gold was discovered in the Pactolus River at Sardes, and it was here that coinage as we know it. Cyrus and the Persians defeated and captured Croesus for all his wealth and made Sardis the administrative center for the western part of their empire. The fabled Royal Road connected Sardes with the Persian cities to the east. Sardes was the hardest hit of the twelve cities destroyed in the earthquake of A.D. 17. According to Tacitus' Annals, Emperor Tiberius contributed significantly to its reconstruction. Your visit to Sardes will include the imperial court and the ancient Jewish synagogue. You will rest in the shade of the Temple of Artemis, while studying in the light of prophetic Scripture. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast, we ride to Ephesus (Rev. 2:1 - 7), a major port city on the Aegean, that was the commercial, political, and religious center of all of Asia Minor. According to historical sources, Herostratus destroyed the Temple of Diana (Artemis) on the eve of Alexander the Great's birth. Then, for 120 years, the Ephesians labored to rebuild the temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city became part of the Roman Empire in the second century B.C. As a Roman capital of Asia Minor.  
The Apostle Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief—during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19 - 21). His second visit lasted about three years—during his third missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke’s account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34 - 35. The "great theater" (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29 - 31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street, see the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Grand Theatre. 
Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. We visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her last years. Enjoy St. John's Basilica, which was constructed over the apostle John's grave, and consider the Temple of Diana's ruins.
While Sirince promises a cute village visit, it can impress you with its religious gems. In St. Dimitrios Church, explore the interior decoration and architecture. Learn about the history and significance of the church and the Orthodox Christian community in the area. After that, take a short walk to St. John Baptist Church. The distinctive octagonal design of the church will charm you. Take some time to walk around the charming streets of Sirince and explore the traditional houses, shops, and cafes. Sirince is known for its well-preserved historical architecture and traditional way of life, so there is much to discover and enjoy. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
We will begin the day by taking a scenic drive to Izmir, formerly known as Smyrna. We will explore St. Polycarp's church before heading to Pergamon. 
Pergamon is home to impressive landmarks such as the Acropolis and the Great Theatre, which was known as the steepest in the world. According to Revelation 2:12-16, Pergamon was referred to as "where Satan's seat is" due to the altar of Zeus. In addition, we will visit the Red Basilica, which was once a pagan temple but was converted into a Christian church. Take a stroll through the Pergamon Asclepion, a renowned medical facility from antiquity, before the day ends. Spend the night in Izmir.

(Breakfast included)
Following breakfast, embark on a lengthy drive to Nicea in Bursa. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to observe the ruins of Constantine's palace, which is now submerged in the waters on the shore of Lake Iznik. This is the very location where the First Ancient Church Council was held in the year 325 AD, during which the Nicene Creed was formulated in the palace chapel. Explore St. Sophia Church, a noteworthy attraction in Nicea, where the Seventh Church Council was convened in 787. Afterwards, proceed towards Istanbul and spend the night there.

(Breakfast included)

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