Day 1: ISTANBUL to CAPPADOCIA (By Flight)

Arrival to Kayseri/Nevsehir. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your Hotel in Cappadocia. A welcome dinner will be served at your Hotel or at a well known Cave Restaurant. Overnight in Cappadocia. (D)

Day 2: HIGHLIGHTS of CAPPADOCIA

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, start exploring the Christian history and the breathtaking scenery of Cappadocia, land of unique landscapes and the unusual rock formations to see the carved underground dwellings, intriguing fairy chimneys of “Goreme Open Air Museum” for which the region is renowned with, and the churches lavishly decorated with frescoes. Many early Christian communities lived and worshipped deep in the rocks and crags, leaving their frescoes and paintings to be marvelled at centuries later. Continue to visit monastic Devrent & Zelve Valley and the Underground City of Kaymakli. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we will visit Avanos Pottery Town for a demonstration and then try your own hand at the potter’s wheel. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

Day 3: CAPPADOCIA – LYSTRA – ICONIUM (KONYA)

Early departure to Konya (Iconium) and stop on the way to Silk Road for the 12th century Seljuk Caravanserai. Lunch en route. Continue to Konya, Lystra & Derbe, where Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 14: 6-22). Konya was a place in which they made many moving speeches and where they succeeded in converting many people to Christianity. Later, Paul and Barnabas escaped from Konya and went to Lystra and Derbe. While they were at Lystra, the crowd saw Paul what had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are Gods in human form!” Overnight in Konya. (B/L/D)
 
 

Day 4: PISIDIAN ANTIOCH & MEVLANA MAUSOLEUM

After breakfast, visit Mevlana Mausoleum known as the poet Rumi, in Konya, the home of the Mystic sect of the spectral Whirling Dervishes. We will continue to Pisidian Antioch,  one of important stops on Paul’s missionary journeys. It was here that St.Paul changed world history by opening Christianity to the pagan world. We will see ‘Septimus Severus’ triumphal gate, Augustus’ Temple, the Roman baths, a theatre and a church dedicated to St Paul. Overnight in Antioch. (B/L/D)

Day 5: COASTAL MOUNTAINS of ANTALYA-PERGE & ANTALYA HARBOUR

Early departure route through the coastal mountains that Paul traveled on his missionary journeys in route to the bustling, palm-lined streets of Antalya. In fact,  Paul and Barnabas sailed from Antalya harbour in the 1st Century on the first missionary journey. We will visit the best preserved Roman Theatre in the world in Aspendos and the neighbouring town of Perge. It was in Perge that John Mark decided to part company with Paul and Barnabas, while they continued on their missionary journey. Ruins of the city’s streets, baths, gates and theatre are still visible. Also visit historic Antalya Harbour and Hadrian’s Gate.  Overnight in Antalya. (B/L/D)

Day 6: DEMRE (MYRA) & PAMUKKALE (HIERAPOLIS)

After breakfast, depart for Demre (ancient Myra) to visit the 11th Century Church of St. Nicholas. The church was built to commemorate an early Christian bishop who was present at the First Ecumenical Council and eventually became known as Santa Claus. In Myra we will also visit the port where Paul and Luke changed ships en route to Rome. As the Myra of today is the sailing center of the Anatolia region and it is very interesting to see the many wooden boats lined up as it would have been in Paul's day. Continue to Pamukkale. Overnight at a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)

Day 7: HIERAPOLIS – COLOSSAE & LAODICEA

After breakfast, visit Pamukkale (Hierapolis) "Sacred City," a cure center founded around 190 BC by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum. According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. Enjoy the beautiful snow, white ‘frozen waterfalls’ baths, theatre, main streets, gates and Necropolis. After lunch visit Laodicea, (Rev. 3:14-22) one of the seven churches of Asia Minor, contains many acres of ruins including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Proceed to Colossae, is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B/L/D)

Day 8: PHILADELPHIA – SARDIS – THYATIRA & SMYRNA

Philadelphia was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation, yet today, not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of Alasehir.  Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality; it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wood originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. A stop will be made in Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and period columns. Proceed to Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Here we'll see Polycarp's Church and the ancient agora. Overnight in Izmir. (B/L/D)

Day 9: EPHESUS & HOUSE of VIRGIN MARY (KUSADASI)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your Hotel and depart for the House of Virgin Mary, the belief that the Virgin Mary had spend her last days in a house in the vicinity of Ephesus and that she had died there. The next visit, St.John’s Basilica, which stands over the believed burial site of St.John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of revelation). Lunch at a nice local restaurant in the area. After lunch, visit Ephesus Antique Site, is the first church of the Seven (Rev. 2:1-7), and one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. The Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, famous Street of Curetes and Celsus Library are among antique beauties to be seen during the visit. Overnight in Izmir. (B/L/D)
Day 10: PERGAMON (IZMIR) & ALEXANDRIA TROAS
 Today, we visit the ruins of great city of Pergamon, built on a conical hill rising 1000 feet above the surrounding valley. The church of Pergamon was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We will take a cable car ride to the top of a very steep hill to visit Acropolis, then continue to Asclepion and the Red Court (Red Basilica), one of the foremost medical centers of classical times. After lunch, we will proceed for Alexandria Troas where St.Paul preached and he put his robe on the child Ithicus who fell from the building and said to him, ”child, there is still life in you”. Overnight in Canakkale. (B/L/D)
Day 11: TROY & ISTANBUL
In the morning, visit Troy UNESCO World Heritage Site, It was at Troas that St Paul had his momentous dream telling him to go and preach in Macedonia and Greece (Acts 16:9). Troy, where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. And the legendary city of Homeros and Alexandria. Troy is a city which existed for over 4,000 years and is known as the center of ancient civilizations. For many years people believed that it was a city mentioned only in tales and never actually existed until it was first found in the 19th century. After lunch, drive to Istanbul crossing Dardanelles by a ferry. Arrive Istanbul and visit St Sophia Church, (built in 6th century, once was the largest Christian Church in the world). Overnight in Istanbul. (B&L)

Day 12: ISTANBUL OLD CITY TOUR

We will begin Istanbul with a visit to the Ancient Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire.  Take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616, it is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance. Its colourful 260 windows and the blue Iznik tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque. Next, visit the magnificient Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Sultans for almost four centuries. See the Treasury section, and the breathtaking displays, including the 7th largest diamond in the world, the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”.  (Harem section is excluded). Continue to visit to the Church of St Saviour in Chora.  Built in the 11th century, the walls are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes.  The mosaics depict the life of Virgin Mary and the infancy, genealogy and ministry of Christ. After lunch, explore ninety-two streets of  the famous Grand Bazaar, is the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. Farewell Dinner will be served in the evening. Overnight in Istanbul. (B&L)

Day 13: DEPARTURE HOME

After breakfast check-out from your hotel and transfer to the Ataturk Airport for your homebound flight. End of our Services.(B)
 
Including

• Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia 
• 4/5 Stars Hotels Accommodation on BB or HB basis
• Transfers from/to Hotel/Airport/Hotel
• English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the itinerary
• Transportation in A/C & non-smoking vehicle
• Entrance fees to the sites and museums
• Lunches
• Farewell Dinner in Istanbul
• Local Taxes and Service Charge

Excluding

• Personal expenses
• Tips to the Driver and Guide
• Beverages with meals
• Portrages at the Airport/Hotels
• International Flight
   

NOTE:
* Itinerary can be customized upon request to suit your specific interest.
* Itinerary can be combined with 4 or more Days with Gulet Cabin Charter upon request.
* Itinerary can be extended with Israel Holy Land Tour upon request.