FOOTSTEPS of St. Paul

Meet your guide who will escort you to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight in Istanbul.

Replenishing with breakfast at the hotel, begin to the full day tour wandering in and around the gems of historical Istanbul.

Start the day with a visit to Hagia Sophia, a marvel of world architecture. Continue the experience with Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets and perfect dome, which is inspired from Saint Sophia. Next, visit the Hippodrome which once stood as one of the purest examples of Constantinople’s classical Byzantine origins. Today, it is the home of the famous Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column. In the afternoon, continue with Serefiye Cistern, which was built during the reign of Theodosius II (408 - 450) one of the oldest water structures in the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul. To complete the day, stroll within the Grand Bazaar, which was one of the earliest and most significant projects undertaken by Sultan Mehmet II following his conquest, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 - 400,000 visitors daily. Return to the hotel and overnight. (B)

Having an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Adana. Upon arrival, you will drive to Antioch. Antioch hosted a number of church councils and is the home of influential Christian figures such as the martyr-bishop Ignatius of Antioch, the pillar-saint Simeon and the "golden-mouthed" preacher John Chrysostom. Antioch was the base for St. Paul's missionary journeys, where Jesus’ followers were first called "Christians". You will visit the world famous Antioch Museum with roman mosaics and the cave church where St. Peter led worship. Continue to Adana for dinner and overnight. (B – D)

After breakfast and depart for Tarsus (Act: 11:30:11:25) known as the birth place of St. Paul. Today you will be crossing the longest mountain chain of Turkey, Tauros, heading towards Cappadocia in central Anatolia with unique landscape and underground cities carved from the region’s soft volcanic rock. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B – D)

If weather permits, enjoy an unforgettable view of Cappadocia this morning with optional hot air ballooning over the nature-formed valleys.

After having breakfast, driving through the valleys and beautiful towns, stop and explore one of the magnificent Underground Cities (Serhatli or Ozkonak). Walk through Pasabag and Dervent, two of fine examples of Cappadocia's moonscape topography, with fairy chimney pinnacles of tawny tufa topped by dark rock. Next, visit the small and beautiful town of Ortahisar that is stands out  with its castle of a high geological formation at 86 meters, and converted into dwelling by the Hittites. Complete the day with the visit to the Zelve valley. It is formed by two canyons, a place where Muslims and Christians lived together until 1924. The slopes on the right side are pink in color, and those on the left are dominated by white. Return back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B – D)

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, visit the Pigeon Valley with fascinating frescoed rock churches and chapels at Goreme Open-Air Museum: “Elmali Church, Saint Barbara Church, Carikli Church, with scenes from the life of Jesus, and descriptions of the saints who have written the Bible. Photo stops will be made at Uchisar “castle” village, a fantasy-land of wonderful works of man and nature. Drive to Konya, dinner and overnight in Konya. (B – D)

Early departure to Konya; an ancient city in central Turkey once known as Iconium. The site of one of the first church councils and one of the missionary destinations of St. Paul’s and capital of the Seljuk Empire from 1150 to 1300 and home of Rumi (Mevlana) the Sufi saint who founded the Whirling Dervishes. Continue to Antioch Pisidia (also called Antioch-of-Pisidia) was a major Roman colony that was visited by St. Paul on his first Missionary Journey. Drive to Pamukkale visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the thermal springs with calcium rich water creating shallow white basins and twisted stalagmites. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B – D)

After breakfast, early departure to Laodicea Ad Lycum on the south bank of the Lycus River, one of the Seven Churches addressed by St. John in the Book of Revelation (Rev.3:14-22). Continue and visit Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) the seat of a Christian bishopric during Byzantine times, also referred to as the New Jerusalem. The next stops are Sardis the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia (Rev. 3:1-6) and Church of St.Policarp symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B – D)

After breakfast, very early departure for Ephesus one of the Seven Churches in Revelation (Rev. 1:11). The highlights are: the Double Church where in 431 the Third Ecumenical Council was held, the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Theatre and the Temple of Artemis. Continue to the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John “The Evangelist”. Transfer back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B – D)

Breakfast and drive to Thyatira one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11;2:18-29). Continue to and Pergamum with Acropolis of the Hellenistic city. We drive to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight. (B – D)

After breakfast in the morning visit Troy, whose name evokes a series of characters and places full of adventures, wars, heroes and famous fires that occurred in the mythical city. It was Schliemann back in 1872 who, using the oldest account of the Trojan War as a guide, described in Homer's Iliad, demonstrated that the mythical city was part of a universal heritage. Visit the ruins and the famous "Trojan Horse" rebuilt in wood. Departure for Alexandria Troas, it is assumed that Paul visited this city at least twice; first when he and Timothy wanted to go to Bithynia but the Holy Spirit prevented them (Acts 16:8). We continue to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul. Overnight. (B)

Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel after the breakfast for a transfer back to Istanbul Airport for your flight back home. (B)