Day 1: ISTANBUL ARRIVAL

Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet and greet at the Airport and transfer to your Hotel in Istanbul. A Welcome briefing will be given by our Tour Guide. Overnight in Istanbul (-)
 

Day 2: ISTANBUL OLD CITY TOUR

After breakfast visit the highlights of Istanbul. St Sophia Museum; the pride of the Byzantine architecture. The Byzantine Hippodrome; where once chariot races were held; The Blue Mosque; famous for its blue Iznik tiles; St.Irene Church;  the setting of the metings of the Second Ecumenical Council in 381, the magnificent Topkapi Palace; the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is excluded) After lunch, enjoy shopping in Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Overnight in Istanbul. (B&L)

Day 3: ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS CRUISE TOUR

Today, explore the wonderful religious sites of Istanbul with a visit to the Kariye (Chora) Museum, which houses the most famous collection of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in the world. Stroll through the Spice Market also called Egyptian Bazaar, be filled with the atmosphere of the exotic East. Then embark on a traditional boat for an unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise on the Bosphorus. Enjoy the magnificent shores of the Bosphorus, which separates Europe from Asia. Overnight at Hotel in Istanbul. (B&L)

Day 4: ISTANBUL – ADANA (ANTIOCH)

Early breakfast and transfer to Airport to flight to Adana. Drive to Antakya, the Biblical city of Antioch, the word Christians was first used in Antioch. Visit St. Peter’s Grotto and the world famous Antakya Mosaic Museum which houses many mosaics, preserved in differing degrees of completeness. Taste the best examples of Mediterranean cuisine. Proceed to Samandag (Seleuceia Pierea), Antioch’s ancient port. See the impressive Tunnel of Titus. Overnight & Dinner in Antioch. (B/L/D)

 

Day 5: ANTIOCH – TARSUS - ADANA

After breakfast, drive to Tarsus the birthplace of St. Paul. Visit the Church of St. Paul, which is a church that was built by the Crusaders in the middle ages, and has long been a site of pilgrimage for Christian travelers. Then visit Paul’s Well. Drive back to Adana for Dinner and Overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 6: ADANA – CAPPADOCIA HIGHLIGHTS

On the way to Cappadocia, visit the Monastery of Gumusler, a Byzantine monastery and It’s the only monastery with a smiling Virgin Mary fresco.  Lunch en route. Visit the ancient settlement of Zelve, an important settlement and religious area during the 9th and 13th centuries.  See the village of Uchisar, full of towering rock houses typical of this area. Finally, visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which used to house a religious community.  Overnight & Dinner in Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

Day 7: CAPPADOCIA – ANTALYA 

An early start (before sunrise) for an optional Hot Air Balloon Flight (one hour), this is truly a once in a lifetime experience and there is no better way to see the distinctive landscapes of Cappadocia than by gently floating overhead in a hot air balloon and that is the best way to picturize the region. Upon landing, you will celebrate your flight with a champagne toast!  Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast drive to Red (Rose) Valleys  one of the most beautiful trekking valley, next visit Cavusin Village, one of the oldest settlements in the area. After lunch, visit Kaymakli Underground City, used by Christians as hiding place. Taste some Cappadocian wines at a local wine factory and drive to Ankara for your direct flight to Antalya. Arrive and transfer to your Hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya. (B/L/D)
 

Day 8: ANTALYA – PAMUKKALE (HIERAPOLIS)

After breakfast, drive to Perge the best example of a complete Roman City in the Pamphylian plain.  Visit the Aspendos Theatre; one of the largest ancient building in Anatolia. Proceed to Pamukkale (Hierapolis), Lunch en route. Visit Laodicea, (Rev. 3:14-22) one of the seven churches of Asia Minor.  Then, visit Hierápolis a cure center (founded around 190 BC by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum).  Dinner & Overnight at a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale.  (B/L/D)

Day 9: PAMUKKALE – IZMIR (SMYRNA)

Today, you will visit Philadelphia (One of the Seven Churches – Rev. 3:7-13), which was referred to as the ‘New Jerusalem’ in the Book of the Revelation, proceed to the Temple of Artemis a magnificent building which was actually never completed.  Proceed to Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6), and Thyatira, (Rev. 2:18-29).  Then, drive to Izmir (Smyrna) to visit the Church of St. Policarp the oldest church in ancient Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11). Dinner & Overnight in Izmir. (B/L/D)

Day 10: KUSADASI - EPHESUS & HOUSE of VIRGIN MARY

Today, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, then, the Ancient City of Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world;  Lunch at Artemis Restaurant which is an old school, located in a small Greek Village called Sirince. Continue to The Basilica of St.John,  John and the Virgin Mary went to Ephesus between 42 and 48 AD and lived there. Drive to Miletus where St.Paul’s visited at the end of his third journey. Overnight and Dinner at Kusadasi Hotel.  (B/L/D)    

Day 11: KUSADASI & PATMOS ISLAND

After breakfast, transfer to the port for embarkation on the boat.  Sail from Kusadasi to Patmos, (approx 2 hrs) enjoy the blue waters of the Aegean. Lunch will be served on- board or in Patmos Island. The island known as the Apocalyptic Revelation of St John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The Monastery of St John, built on one of the island’s highest points. Return to Kusadasi. Overnight & Dinner in Kusadasi.  (B/L/D)    

Day 12: PERGAMON – CANAKKALE 

Today visits will start with Pergamon (one of the Seven Churches – Rev. 2:12-17) and Acropolis and the remains of Asclepion that belongs to Roman Empire times, visit the Red Basilica which was built in the 2^nd century A.D. After lunch, visit Assos which is a beautiful coast town. Proceed to Alexandria Troas and Troy, the legendary city of Homeros. Overnight & Dinner in Canakkale.  (B/L/D)

Day 13: CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL

After breakfast, drive to Istanbul, arrive and have some free time at Grand Bazaar, afternoon at leisure. Farewell Dinner will be served at local fish restaurant in Taksim. Overnight at Hotel in Istanbul. (B/ D)

Day 14: ISTANBUL - DEPARTURE

After breakfast check out from your Hotel, and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk International Airport for your flight home. (B)
End of our services.
 
Including

• Flight from Istanbul/Adana – Ankara/Antalya  
• Hotels Accommodation on HB basis
• All arrival and departure Transfers from/to Hotel/Airport/Hotel
• English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the itinerary
• Transportation in A/C & non-smoking vehicle, bottled water provided
• Entrance fees to the sites and museums and parks
• Lunches