Biblical Treasures of Turkey

1st Day: You will arrive in Istanbul, the biggest city of modern Turkey. We will welcome you and you can relax in your hotel.

2nd Day: Enjoy a wonderful brunch.After Brunch our private car will take us to the Pera District and Pera Palace where Hemingway and Agatha Christie used to stay. We take a tram on the famous Istiklal Street and later on we will visit Istanbul’s Archeological Museum. Our private yacht will come and take us to Kizkulesi (Maiden’s Tower) in the middle of the Marmara Sea, the tower stands on a tiny island and now is home to a top class restaurant where we will have a delicious dinner. Sail back to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

3rd Day: We will have an extensive tour in Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city which straddles 2 continents and has been the capital city of 3 empires. Our first visit will be to the legendary St. Sophia which was built 1,500 years ago as the premier cathedral of the world. It is one of the biggest and last buildings of The Roman Empire. Next we will visit the world famous Blue Mosque. After lunch we will visit the Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Underground Cistern. Later you will visit Chora Church which is one of the most beautiful samples of the Byzantium art. Later you will have time to browse the thousands of shops in and around the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

4th Day: Today you will fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia and see dreamlike Cappadocia, Goreme open air museum, monasteries and churches with the most beautiful frescos inside founded by St. Basil. We will visit the unusual Gumusler Monastery where the only smiling fresco of Virgin Mary is visible. Also the controversial story of Apollonius of Tynna will be mentioned. Overnight in Cappadocia.

5th Day: Before the breakfast you will have a fascinating balloon tour and have a chance to view the unforgettable view of Cappadoccia. Later we will see Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos, Zelve and the famous underground city where early period Christians were living and hiding. After dinner watch the whirling dervishes show, representing the Sufism from the 13th C.AD Overnight in Cappadocia.

6th Day: Famous underground cities where early Christians lived and hid. Later we will arrive in Tarsus. While walking through ancient Tarsus we will reach St. Paul’s Well and we will gather around the well.

7th Day: This is the most important day of the tour since we will arrive at King Solomon’s Antakya passing Coa Plateau which is mentioned in the Old Testament. Antakya is the place where the word 'Christian' was first mentioned. We will also visit St Peter’s Church which was the first established in the world. Finally, we will see the biggest Mosaic Museum in the world. Overnight in Adana.

8th Day: We will arrive in Konya which is one of most interesting cities of Turkey, passing the Taurus Mountains. On the way we will see the place where Frederic Barborossa was drowned. After lunch we will arrive in Lystra where we will read the Bible. In the afternoon we will visit Mevlana Museum. Mevlana was a very famous philosopher who lived in the 13th century A.D. Overnight in Konya.

9th Day: We will continue our journey onto the Taurus Mountains and we will reach Pisidian of Antioch, the city where St. Paul did his first preaching. We will walk on the same roads once he walked and we will read the Bible. In the afternoon we will reach Antalya following the same road St Paul took in Roman times. Overnight in Antalya.

10th Day: Our first trip is to Ancient city of Perge which St. Paul visited with St. Mark. We will visit the well preserved ruins of the Roman Era. Further, we will reach Aspendos where the most well preserved ancient theater is situated. Free time in Antalya and overnight.

11th Day: We will leave Antalya in the morning and will arrive at the famous Biblical city of Collesea , but today nearly nothing is visible. Later we will visit Laodiciea which is one of the 7 Churches.  Laodiciea people were famous with their wealth and arrogance. In the afternoon you will walk on the calcium terraces of Pamukkale where Ephistetos’s city Hierapolis is located. Overnight in Pamukkale.

12th Day: After leaving Pamukkale, we will reach to Kusadasi in 2 hours drive and have a lunch in this coastal town. The glorious Ephesus is in just 20 minutes distance. We will have an extensive tour of this ancient site and sitting at the theater we will read the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 19. Also in the site we will see the first church ever dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where the 3rd ecumenical council met. Leaving Ephesus we will visit the house of Virgin Mary situated on a hill nearby. After lunch we will visit the tomb and Church of St. John, where we will read his Gospel. Overnight in Izmir.

13th Day: Today we will drive to Pergamum which was called by St. John 'The Devils Throne'. We will climb to the Acropolis and will visit the Red Court. Pergamum is also the place where the first paper (parchment) was made and the second big church of the world was erected. After having our lunch, we will visit Asclepion, one of the most famous and interesting ancient hospitals, where also some Roman Emperor was treated, on his visit to Anatolia. Overnight Izmir.

14th Day: After breakfast and before  transfer to the airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul,  we make a short visit to the St. Policarp Church in the centre of Izmir.