Student's Experiences

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

2nd Day: We will have an extensive tour of Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city located in 2 continents and was 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 first cathedral of the world. It was the biggest and last construction of The Roman Empire. Following we will visit the famous Blue Mosque. After lunch you will have free time in one of the oldest shopping places in the world, the Grand Bazaar. In the afternoon we will visit the Chora Museum which is one of the most beautiful samples of Byzantine art. Overnight in Istanbul.

3rd Day: In the morning we will have a Bosphorus cruise tour and you will see the beauty of Istanbul. Next we will visit the Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Sultans used to rule the Empire. After lunch you will see the Underground Cistern, later have free time in the famous Spice Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

4th Day: We will fly from Istanbul to Izmir Airport and on the way to Kusadasi we will visit Ephesus. We will have an extensive tour of this ancient site where we will see the Hadrian’s, Trajan’s and the Domitian’s Temples, the huge Roman bath, the Celcus Library and the biggest amphitheater in Turkey. After lunch we will visit the Ephesus museum where the finds of excavations in the site are displayed. After a 20 minute drive we will arrive in Kusadasi which is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Turkey. Overnight in Kusadasi.

5th Day: After flying from Izmir to Kayseri, on the way to Cappadocia we will have a walk along the Soganli Valley. Overnight in Cappadocia.

6th Day: We will see dreamlike Cappadocia, Goreme open air museum, monasteries and churches, founded by St Basil, with the most beautiful frescos inside. Cappadocia is the best place for hot-air balloon tours, which areas optional. In the evening you will the dance of whirling dervishes. Overnight in Cappadocia.

7th Day: After breakfast we will drive over the famous Taurus Mountain to the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Before we check in our hotel in Antalya we will visit an ancient city located on the mountain called Termessos, the only site which Alexander the Great was not able capture. Overnight in Antalya.

8th Day: Free day in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

9th Day: Today our first trip is to Ancient city of Perge which St. Paul visited with St. Mark. We will see the well preserved ruins of the Roman Era. Later we will visit Aspendos, the site of an extremely well preserved ancient theater. After lunch you will have the option to visit the museum with no extra charge. Overnight in Antalya.

10th Day: We will drive to the ancient city of Olympus and will have an exotic stay at the famous tree houses in Olympus.

11th Day: Today we will take a boat tour to Simena(Kekova) to visit the sunken city. On the way back to Antalya we will visit Demre where St. Nicolas Church is situated and the ancient city Myra well known for its rock graves.

12th Day: Transfer to Antalya airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul.