Tour Overview
Join us on a captivating journey through Turkey, tracing the footsteps of St. Paul and uncovering the rich cultural and historical wonders of this ancient land. Begin your adventure in Istanbul, a city that spans two continents and countless centuries, before traveling to the iconic sites where early Christianity took root. Visit the landmarks of St. Paul's missionary journeys in Tarsus, Antioch, and Ephesus, while also exploring the natural beauty of Cappadocia and the ancient ruins of cities like Pergamum and Hierapolis. From the majestic palaces of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires to the sacred Christian sites of the early church, this tour offers an unforgettable mix of history, faith, and discovery. Get ready to experience Turkey like never before—where ancient history meets spiritual legacy at every turn.
Highlights
Itinerary
Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport, met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After check into the hotel, meet at the lobby for welcome and info cocktail. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Including breakfast)
Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the
world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its
three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of
two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We
visit the Topkapi Palace including treasury section, The Blue Mosque and
Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place and free
time in Grand bazaar with its 3.500 shops. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Including breakfast)
After breakfast drive to Ankara. Arrive in Ankara
(Capital of Turkey), sightseeing of Ankara: see the Anatolian Civilization
Museum, the Temple of Augustus and Ataturk's Mausoleum. drive to our Hotel and
overnight stay in Ankara.
(Including breakfast)
After
breakfast, Continue to Cappadocia with a rest stop in Aksaray before a short ride to Ihlara Valley, to see the impressive,
Byzantine rock carvings and frescoes. and overnight stay in Cappadocia.
(Including breakfast)
Full day excursion of Cappadocia to see the surreal
landscapes of volcanic ash, formed 3 million years ago: spectacular red rock
cones, troglodyte churches and homes dating from 4000 BC Now visit Uchisar,
Goreme and Zelve, then Avanos, to visit one of its famous, pottery workshops.
Later return to your hotel for overnight stay. Including: Breakfast.
(Including breakfast)
after breakfast visit Kaymakli, a unique underground city. Then drive to
Tarsus, birthplace of St. Paul. See St. Paul's Well, Cleopatra's Gate and the
ancient city. It was near here that a Great Fish "vomited out Jonas upon the dry land" Next to Adana and overnight
stay.
(Including breakfast)
Full day excursion to Antakya (Antioch). Here Jesus'
followers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) Peter, Paul and also
Barnabas preached here. Visit St. Peter's Grotto and the exquisite Mosaic
Museum. View the old city of Iskenderun before beginning the return drive to
Mersin and overnight stay.
(Including breakfast)
Depart westward along the Mediterranean shoreline, a
famous coastal road. Take a lunch break in Anamur. See City of the Monophystie
Archbishop of Seleucia. Overnight in Alanya.
Continue to the ancient city of Side, the old port where Paul, Barnabas and Mark landed during their missionary journeys. Later they sailed from here to Antioch. Than visit Perge, where St. Paul preached when arriving from Cyprus (Acts 13-14), and to Aspendos with its magnificent Alanyatheater. Next drive to Antalya and overnight stay.
Proceed to Laodicea which was condemned by St. John in Revelation Acts (4:15). Drive to Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale, St. Philip was martyred here in 1st AD. Walk the Necropolis and famous Avenue of Tombs. Overnight stay.
(Including breakfast)
Visit there one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse
and the remains of the Cathedral. Continue to in Alasehir, the remains of a
church. Visit , capital of the ancient Lydia with temple of the Cybele &
Diana, which became later a church, see the royal road. Continue to Kusadasi.
and overnight at the hotel.
Drive to Selcuk. Visit the monastery of St. John and Ephesus , the best preserved city in the world. See the Library of Celsus, a Stadium where Paul Preached (Acts 19), and the Theatre. Return to Kusadasi. and overnight stay.
(Including breakfast)
This morning take a beautiful drive to Izmir (ancient
Smyrna), After visiting the St. Policarp St. Paul Tour - Izmir Smyrnachurch in
Izmir , continue to in Akhisar , ancient commercial place in connection with
Troy & Sardes. and visit Bergama (Pergamum) , the Acropolis, high above the
plain. See the pagan Temples and Altar of Zeus. Overnight in Pergamum.
(Including breakfast)
After
breakfast long drive to Istanbul through Iznik (Nicea) where the Nicean Creed
was formed. Depart for Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul. Including: Breakfast
(Including breakfast)
Today drive to the Airport and return flight home,
arriving the same day with fresh memories, souvenirs and a renewed interest in
Turkey, the land of culture, faith and mystery.
Trip includes
Included
3 nights hotel in Istanbul - The Central Palace Hotel Taksim
1 night hotel in Ankara - Atalay Hotel
2 nights hotel in Cappadocia - Special Class El Puente Cave Hotel
1
night hotel in Adana - Adana Sirin Park Hotel
1 night hotel in Mersin - Ramada Hotel
1 night hotel in Alanya - Palmiye Beach Resort Hotel
1 night hotel in Antalya - 4 Star Ring Downtown Hotel
1 night hotel in Pamukkale - 5 Star Pam Thermal Hotel
2 nights hotel in Kusadasi - 4 Star Odelia Resort Hotel
1 night hotel in Pergamum - Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrampasa
PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange smilar other hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost
Professional English - speaking tour guides.
Guiding Method
Fully guided
All meals as stated in the itinerary. Breakfast.
Travel Insurance
14
Nights, 4 Star or 5 Star Hotel Accommodation including breakfast.
All
sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary.
All
Entrance Fees.
All
admission fees to the visited sites.
All Taxes and service fees.
Excluded
Any tips to guide.
Driver or staff at hotels.
Items of a personal nature.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with
breakfast) and medical services.
Availability
Loading. Please wait.
Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Protected
Travel withing your own bubble.
Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Why book with Travelshopbooking
Best price quaranteed.
100% financial protection.
Earn $20+ in travel credits.
Cancellation Policy
On our global marketplace TravelShop Booking Supplier is recognized globally as an online tourism marketplace connecting travelers, suppliers, and tour operators worldwide. All users acknowledge that TravelShop Booking is a platform not liable for canceled tours, poor services, or unforeseen circumstances occurring before, during, or after the tour.
Need help or have a question about this tour?
if you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
We're ready to help.