Footsteps of St Paul

Istanbul – Adana– Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale – Izmir – Canakkale

Day 1: Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon orientation tour in Istanbul, if time permits (according to the arrival time). Overnight in Istanbul. xxx Hotel, BB.

Day 2: Istanbul / Adana

Fly from Istanbul to Adana early in the morning. Our vehicle and guide will meet you at the Adana airport. Drive to Tarsus where St Paul was born. Visit St Paul’s house which exist today. Drive to Antakya (Antioch), check into your hotel and overnight. xxx. HB.

Day 3: Antioch

Antioch is the city where the disciples were called "Christians" for the first time (Acts 11:26). Visit to the St.Peter's Church - one of the first Catholic Churches in the world; Antakya Museum of Mosaics, the most impressive one of this kind in the Near East. In the afternoon, a brief coach ride to Samandagi (Seleucia Pereira), the port from where Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus on their first journey (Acts 13:4). Drive back to Adana and overnight. Xxx hotel HB.

Day 4: Adana / Cappadocia

Check out from the hotel early in the morning and drive to Cappadocia. Full day tour of the region to visit Goreme Open Air Museum with chapels and churches carved out of soft rock, famous for the well-preserved frescoes. In the afternoon, visit Pasabag Valley, a site most famous with its troglodyte dwellings; then the underground city of Kaymakli, which was built by early Christians fleeing from Roman persecutions. Overnight in Cappadocia. Xxx hotel HB.

Day 5: Cappadocia / Konya ( Iconium)

In the morning, depart for Konya where Paul and Barnabas were threatened by being stoned (Acts 15:5). Visits to St. Paul Church and Mevlana Museum (founder of Whirling dervishes). Overnight in Konya. Xxx Hotel. HB.

Day 6: Konya / Pamukkale

In the morning dive to Colossae which Paul did not visit but sent a letter saying "to the Saints and faithful brothers of Christ who are at Colossae; grace be on you, and peace from God and Jesus Christ" (Colossians 1:2). Then continue to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis, the center of Epaphra’s work (Colossians 4:13) when Paul was writing to strengthen his preachment. A visit to the white chalk cascades of Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale. Xxx Hotel. HB. Pamukkale / Ephesus / St. Polycarpos Church / Izmir

Early departure for Ephesus, visits here include the House of Virgin Mary; the Basilica of St. John; and the antique city of Ephesus, where St. Paul stayed and taught for two years (Acts 19:10), and where he promised on his second journey, "I shall come back to you if it is God's will" (Acts 18:21). Proceed to Izmir and visit the St. Polycarpos Church. Overnight in Izmir. xxx. HB.

Day 7: Izmir / Pergamum / Alexandria Troas / Canakkale

Early departure and drive to Pergamum; visit the Asklepion Sanctuary and the Acropolis including the Altar of Zeus, which is said to be "the place where Satan has his throne" (Revelation 2:13); the Trojan Temple; the world's steepest theater; and the Red Basilica, which was originally a center of pagan worship and afterwards used as a church dedicated to St. John. Continue to Alexandria Troas where Paul is said to have visited at least twice; first when he and Timothy had wanted to go in to Bythinia but were prevented by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:8) and the second time on his way to Jerusalem when he preached 12 hours without stopping (acts 20:11). Overnight in Canakkale. xxx. BB.

Day 8: Canakkale / Troy / Istanbul

After breakfast, a visit to the world famous ancient city of Troy including its various layers of civilizations. Then a short ferry ride across Dardanelles and continue to  Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul xxx Hotel. BB.

Day 9: Istanbul

Walking city tour in Istanbul. Blue Mosque, St Sophia, St Chora, Topkapi Palace, Underground cistern to be visited. Overnight in Istanbul. xxx Hotel.BB.

Day 10: Istanbul Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight.

What is included in the rate:

What is excluded