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Biblical Tour Programs

IN THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL  (10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS)

Day 1 : ISTANBUL - ANKARA
Flight to Ankara via Istanbul. Ankara is the capital of modern Turkey Transfer to hotel by private motor coach. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA
In the morning, visit the remarkable Anatolian Civilizations Museum, among its treasures are Neolithic frescoes, Bronze Age emblems, the remains of the fabled Phyrigian King Midas, as well as many objects from the Hittites. Stroll in the old Ankara citadel. Tour the Augustus Temple and pay a visit to the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. After lunch drive to the Cappadocia traveling along the shores of the great Salt Lake. Arrive in Cappadocia late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 3 : CAPPADOCIA
Start out early for a full day’s excursion into the magical lunarscape of Cappadocia’s rocky hills & valleys. Dominated by Erciyes Dagi, Mt. Argaeus, the region was first settled by ancient people then home to Romans, early Christians, Byzantines and Seljuks. Visit Goreme Church Valley, Zelve, Avanos, Ortahisar and Uchisar, and see some of the many churches carved into the rocks. Return to the hotel for night.

Day 4: CAPPADOCIA - ICONIUM
Visit Kaymakli underground city in the morning. Kaymakli with some floors down the underground was home to early Christian refugees. On the way south visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai. Drive to Karaman, Derbe where St. Paul preached, then visit Lystra, where St. Paul stopped on his journey. Arrive Konya , Iconium for the night.

Day 5: ICONIUM - HIERAPOLIS
Morning sightseeing of Konya, visit the Mevlana Mausoleum and Museum, the founder of the whirling dervishes in the Islamic sect. Proceed to Yalvac, Pisidian Antioch where St. Paul said, "We now turn to the gentiles" and opened Christianity to the world. Passing by Egridir Lake arrive at Pamukkale, Hierapolis and overnight.

Day 6 : HIERAPOLIS - IZMIR
After a visit to Hierapolis ruins and St. Philip`s martyrdom, drive to Loadicea. The church at Laodicea was an extension church of the church at Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colosea. Continue on to Alasehir, Philadelphia the church of "brotherly love" of the apocalypse. Proceed to Sardes another of the Seven Churches.
Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 7 : PAMUKKALE - IZMIR
Morning departure to Ephesus. St. Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years. The still standing amphitheatre is the witness of the riots against St. Paul. The very first church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built in Ephesus after visiting Hadrian Temple, Celcus Library, St. John`s Basilica, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Diana, proceed to Miletos, with one of the largest amphitheatres in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul stopped at the end of his third journey and predicted his imprisonment. Later in the day visit Apollo Temple at Didyma and return to Izmir.

Day 8: IZMIR - CANAKKALE
Morning drive to Akhisar, Thyatira to see the remains of Basilica church. Proceed to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis of Hellenistic Pergamum. Among its buildings are the Altar of Zeus and the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. After visiting the Asclepion, the earliest health center of Asia Minor. After lunch drive to Assos, where St. Paul rejoined his companions and visit Troas where St. Paul set sail to Greece. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 9: CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL
Morning visit the site of Troy, the Homeric city and the local museum. Cross the Dardenelles by ferryboat to the European site. Driving through Galipoli, the battlefields of the First World War. Arrive to Istanbul for overnight.

Day 10 : ISTANBUL
Full day sightseeing in Istanbul in the old quarters of the city; Visit the Church of St. Savior in Chora famed with Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, Hagia Sophia, the oldest Christian basilica for Ecumenical councils. Visit the circus maximus of Constantinople, the Hippodrome where chariot races were held in Roman times. After enjoying the beautiful tile decoration of the Blue Mosque. Visit the Topkapi Palace museum with its priceless jeweled objects and the Porcelain Collection. At the end of the day shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 : DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination or transfer to Turkish/Greek border to continue tour in Greece.

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IN THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL  (11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS)

Day 1.ISTANBUL-ANKARA
Arrive to Istanbul and take a short connecting flight to Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey. Transfer to Sheraton Hotel by the private motor coach

Day 2: ANKARA-CAPPADOCIA
Morning visit the highlights of Ankara: The Museum of Anatolian Civilization, old city and Mausoleum of Kemal Atat urk, the founder of modern Turkey. After lunch continue to Cappadocia by traveling along the shores of great Salt Lake. Dinner and overnight in Nevsehir.

DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA
Full day excursion into the magical lunarscape of Cappadocia s rock hills and valleys. Dominated by Mt. Argeus, Cappadocia, inhabited by  Hittites, Assyrian Colonist, Persians, Greeks and Romans, offers the most amazing rock formations and magnificent rock churches and monasteries dating to Byzantine Period. Visit G oreme Open air museum, Zelve rock cut city. Dinner and overnight at  Dedeman Hotel in Nevsehir.

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA-KONYA
Visit the Underground city of Kaymaklı  and drive to Konya . Upon arrival the sightseeing tour of Konya, the city of Mevlana and Whirling Dervishes. Visit the  Mausoleum  and Museum of Mevlana, the founder of the order of Whirling Dervishes. Dinner and overnight in Konya.

DAY 5 KONYA -PISIDIAN ANTIOCH-PAMUKKALE
Proceed to Yalvac , Pisidian Antioch where Paul decides to turn to Gentiles. Passing by Egridir Lake and arrive to Pamukkale, one of the natural wonders of Turkey. Enjoy the pools and thermal water. Dinner and overnight in Colossea Hotel.

DAY 6.HIEROPOLIS-LAODICIA MILETOS-KUSADASI
Visit the ancient city of  Hierapolis where Saint Philip was martyred.  After enjoying attractive formations  and travertine pools created by the thermal water, continue to Laodicia, one of the Seven churches. After lunch visit Miletos where Paul was during his third missionary trip and  the Temple of Apollo, one of the famous oracle temples of the antiquity. Dinner and Overnight in Korumar Hotel at Kusadasi .

DAY 7. EPHESUS-IZMIR
Ephesus, where Paul stayed nearly 3 years, is  the most preserved archaeological site in Turkey. Addressed by John as one of the seven churches, Ephesus was the site of the Artemis Temple which was considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Full day tour of Ephesus including Temple of Artemis, Basilica of Saint John  and Sel uk Museum at Sel uk. Dinner  and overnight in Izmir Hilton.

DAY 8. AKHISAR-SARDIS- PHILEDELPHIA-IZMIR
Departure for  Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches, hometown of Lydia  Paul met in Phillipi.  Proceed to Sardis. the capital city of Lydian Kingdom and famous King Croisus.  Excavated by American archaeologist, Sardis houses Artemis Temple, one  of the greatest temples of Antiquity and Gymnasium and Synagogue complex. Then visit Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir Hilton.

DAY 9. IZMIR-PERGAMON-ISTANBUL
Visiting ancient Agora of Symyna. Drive to Pergamon, the capital city of Pergamon Kingdom which ruled over Anatolia after Alexander the Great. Addressed by Saint John, Pergamon was site of famous Pergamon library and great healing center to Asclepios. Drive to Izmir and  late afternoon flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Hilton Hotel.

DAY  10. CITY TOUR ISTANBUL
Archaeological Museum of Istanbul,  Visit  the historical marvels of Istanbul: Saint Sophia, Blue Mosques, Topkapi  Palace   Dinner and overnight in the Hilton Hotel.

DAY 11.  ISTANBUL

Cruise the Bosphorus with a private boat and  lunch at a typical  fish restaurant . Enjoy the  Grand Bazaar in the afternoon.

DAY 12. Return flight ...

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