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Duration
16 days
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Tour Overview
Discover the roots of Christianity in Turkey with this fascinating 16-day journey through ancient cities, sacred sites, and remarkable landmarks that shaped the early Christian world. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Cappadocia, this tour takes you on a pilgrimage through time, retracing the footsteps of St. Paul and the early apostles. Explore Antioch, the birthplace of Christian theology, visit ancient churches and monasteries, and marvel at the stunning ruins of cities mentioned in the Bible. With each day, you’ll uncover a rich tapestry of history, faith, and culture that brings the story of Christianity to life in one of the world’s most historically significant regions. Join us on a transformative journey through Turkey’s Christian heritage.
Attractions
Highlights
Itinerary
Arrive Istanbul. Meet and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
(Including breakfast)
After breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel and embark on an unforgettable tour of Istanbul’s rich history and culture.Hagia
Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, and the Blue Mosque. After visiting these must-see sites, we will drop you back at your hotel in the evening, and overnight in
Istanbul
(Including breakfast)
Morning flight to Adana and drive to Antakya (ancient
Antioch). Located near the mouth of the Orontes River, the city was one of the
earliest centers of Christianity, serving as the headquarters of St. Paul for
his missionary journeys between 47-55 A.D. Visit the Mosaic Museum and the
Grotto of St. Peter, a cave church where St. Peter is believed to have preached
and the new word, Christian, came into use. and overnight in Antakya.
(Including breakfast)
Visits
to Titus Tunnel, Seleuceia ad Pierea, Antiochs ancient port near Samandag, and
the 6th century monastery of St. Simeon, Stylites the younger. Then on to
Tarsus, the birth place of St. Paul. In Acts 21:39, Paul is proud of his city
and says, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.
and overnight in Tarsus.
(Including brekafast)
After breakfast , drive
to Nigde and visit Eskigumus Monastery, one of the best preserved monastery
complexes with an intact fresco of
Mary depicted smiling with her infant Jesus. Then on to Underground Cities, the
deepest underground city with eight layers. and overnight in Cappadocia.
(Including breakfast)
Full-day tour of Cappadocia: Visits to the Goreme Open
Air Museum, Zelve Valley, Avanos, and Uchisar. A land of eerie beauty, the
region was a Roman province and the refuge of persecuted Christians during the
early days of the Roman Empire. Cappadocia is well known for its rock churches
that date to the period of the persecution and for its underground cities,
amazingly intricate systems of tunnels cut into mountains of rock. and
overnight in Cappadocia.
(Including breakfast)
Visit Ihlara Valley where there were more than one
hundred churches once upon a time. Then on to Sultanhan Caravanserai and
Lystra, where Paul was stoned by the people during his first visit. Drive to
Konya, ancient Iconium. Optional Whirling Dervish performance in the hotel. and
overnight in Konya.
(Including breakfast)
Visit the Mevlana Museum, which was the cloister of
Mevlana, a great mystical philosopher of the 13th century, and Mevlevi, the
Whirling Dervishes. Drive to Yalvac and visit Pisidian Antioch where St. Paul
addressed the congregation in a synagogue on the Sabbath, the first recorded
sermon. The Synagogue was later converted into a basilica dedicated to St.
Paul. and overnigt in Antalya.
(Including breakfast)
Perge colonnaded street Visits to Perge and Aspendos. In
Perge, the apostles Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey in
Asia Minor. Its most notable remains include a theater, a stadium, two
basilicas and an agora. It was renowned for its schools of sculpture during the
Roman period. The ancient Pamphylian city of Aspendos is noted for its Roman
ruins, including an aqueduct and a Roman theater, possibly the finest in the
world, which is carved out of the northeast flank of a hill. Free time for
strolling through the old harbor in Antalya in the afternoon. and overnight in
Antalya.
(Including breakfast)
Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, where a rich
collection of artifacts from the vicinity, ranging from the upper Paleolithic
period to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the areas rich history.Turkey -
Birth of Christianity - Pamukkale Hierapolis Drive to Pamukkale and visit
Laodiceia, known for its lukewarm people, like the water of the city, and
Colossae, mentioned by Paul in his letter. and overnight in Pamukkale.
(Including breakfast)
Visit
Hierapolis, modern Pamukkale, where the Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle can
be seen behind the Aphrodisias Tetrapylon theater. Its hot springs have been
used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. The build-up over
thousands of years of mineral deposits has created fantastic formations of
white stalactite, cataracts, and basins. Then on to Aphrodisias, the city of
Aphrodite, and her temple which was converted into a basilica. and overnight in
Pamukkale.
(Including breakfast)
Drive to Bergama visiting three of the Seven Churches -
Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia - from the Book of Revelation. Sardis, where
the first coins were minted, was the capital of the Lydian Empire and the city
of King Croesos. and overnight in Bergama.
(Including breakfast)
Visit Ephesus and environs. Sites include the Museum, the
Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St.
John, and the Church of the Virgin Mary. St. John preached and lived in
Ephesus. It is believed that he brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the
crucifixion of Christ and that she spent her last days in the small house that
was built for her on Mt. Koressos (Bulbuldagi). overnight in Kusadasi.
(Including breakfast)
Visit Ephesus and environs. Sites include the Museum, the
Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St.
John BasilicaSt. John, and the Church of the Virgin Mary. St. John preached and
lived in Ephesus. It is believed that he brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus
after the crucifixion of Christ and that she spent her last days in the small
house that was built for her on Mt. Koressos (Bulbuldagi). overnight in
Kusadasi.
(Including breakfast)
after breakfast Drive to Izmir Airport for morning flight to Istanbul. Visit the Church of Holy Saviour (Chora), housing the best examples of mosaics and frescos in Byzantine Christian art. Free time at the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Including breakfast)
after breakfast Transfer to airport for return flight.
Trip includes
Included
3 nights hotel in Istanbul - Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Istanbul Merter
1 night hotel in Antakya The Liwan Hotel
1 night hotel in Tarsus Ramada Hotel
2 nights hotel in Cappadocia - Special Class El Puente Cave Hotel
1 night hotel in Konya - Selcuk Mevlana Hotel
2 nights hotel in Antalya - 4 Star Ring Downtown Hotel
2 nights hotel in Pamukkale - 5 Star Pam Thermal Hotel
1 night hoten in Bergama - Troia Tusan Hotel
2 nights hotel in Kusadasi - 4 Star Faustina Hotel & SPA
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
1 Domestic Flight from Istanbul to Adana.
1 Domestic Flight from Izmir to Istanbul.
Professional English - speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
All meals as stated in the itinerary. Breakfast.



Travel Insurance
Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul airport
Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach
Return airport transfer
15
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
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