ST.PAUL MISSIONARY JOURNEY in ASIA MINOR

Day 1: ISTANBUL to ADANA (Antioch) (By Flight)

Arrival to Adana via Istanbul. Transfer to the Hotel. Overnight in Adana. (D)

Day 2: ANTIOCH

After breakfast, departure for Antioch, where the term Christian was first associated with the followers of Jesus. (Acts 11:19-27; 13:1; 14:26; 15:22-35; Gal. 2:11; II Tim. 3:11) We will visit St Peter’s Cave Church the very first Christian Church, and the impressive Mosaic Museum. At the end of the tour return to Adana. Overnight in Adana (B&D)

Day 3: TARSUS, LYSTRA & ICONIUM (KONYA)

After breakfast drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St.Paul (Acts 9:11; 9:30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3). Visit the new St.Paul Church and Paul’s Well. Continue to the Biblical site of Lystra & Derbe, where Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-21; 16:1-2, II Tim. 3:11). Then drive to Iconium (Konya) (Acts 13:51; 14:1-21; 16:2, II Tim. 3:11), to visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, Mevlana known as the poet Rumi, in Konya, the home of the Mystic sect of the spectral Whirling Dervishes. Dinner & Overnight in Konya. (B,D)

 

 


Day 4: PERGE & ANTALYA HARBOUR

Early departure route through the coastal mountains to the bustling, palm-lined streets of Antalya, where Paul traveled on his first missionary journeys.  In fact, Paul and Barnabas sailed from Antalya harbour in the 1st Century on the first missionary journey. Today, we’ll visit the best preserved Roman Theatre in the world in Aspendos and the neighbouring town of Perge (Acts 13:13-14; 14;25). 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. We also visit historic Antalya Harbour and Hadrian’s Gate.  Overnight in Antalya. (B&D)

Day 5: MASS, LAODICEA & PAMUKKALE (HIERAPOLIS)
In the morning mass will be held at the St.Paul Culture Center upon request. Then, drive to Laodicea one of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 3:14-22), contains many acres of ruins including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Continue to Pamukkale Hierapolis; "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was the likely the hot springs of Hierapolis in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae that combined to bring application to the "luke warm" Laodiceans. (Rev 3:14-22)  This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). 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 at a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. (B&D)
Day 6: PHILADELPHIA – SARDIS & SMYRNA
Early morning drive to Alasehir to visit 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.  Continue to Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality; it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here we will visit the Gymnasium and the 3rd century Synagogue, the Temple of Diana and the remains of the 1st century Church. Then drive 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&D)
 

Day 7: EPHESUS & THE HOUSE of VIRGIN MARY)

In the morning, departure 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, focused attention on a nun named Anna Catherina Emmerich who had lived in the late 18th century. The efforts to find the house were greatly influenced by her detailed description of the Mary’s coming to Ephesus, her life and her last home there. After the visit, drive to Ephesus Antique Site, one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity, where St.Paul preached. A large and important city, one the west coast of Asia Minor where Apostle Paul founded a church. Many traditions testify that the Apostle John lived in Ephesus toward the end of the first century. In his vision from the Island of Patmos off the coast of Asia Minor, John described the church of Ephesus as flourishing, although it was troubled with false and had lost its first love (Rev 2:1–7). 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). Overnight in Izmir. (B&D)
 

Day 8: PERGAMON , THYATIRA & AYVALIK

Visit the ruins of great city of Pergamon, a center of education and the arts, which possessed one of the greatest libraries of antiquity. The church of Pergamon was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. Visit Pergamon’s Acropolis and Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of classical times. Continue to Akhisar to visit the 1st century Thyatira Church (Acts 16:14, Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24) and to view the ancient roadway and period columns. Then, proceed to Alexandria Troas (Acts 16:8-11; 20:5, 6, II Tim. 4:13 II Cor. 2:12) is an important site for the history of Christianity, where St.Paul preached and it was mentioned several times in the Bible. In the 1st century AD Saint Paul passed some time in Troas during his second missionary journey where he had a vision of a man calling him to Macedonia to help them (Acts 16.9), so he sailed to Europe (Acts, 16:8 - 11) where he first preached. Overnight in Ayvalik. (B&D)
 

Day 9: TROY & ISTANBUL

In the morning, visit Troy ("Truva" or "Troya" in Turkish), 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. Visit the remains of this once-great city. Today, an international team of German and American archaeologists bring the Troy of the Bronze Age back to life under a sponsored project. A Turkish legal team is work negotiating with Russia and Germany to retrieve the stolen Trojan treasures. Lunch en route. After lunch, drive to Istanbul crossing Dardanelles on 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)
 
 

Day 10: 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. Overnight in Istanbul. (B&L)

Day 11: ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS CRUISE

After breakfast, stroll through to Spice Market also called Egyptian Bazaar and then take a private/regular boat tour along the Bosphorus seeing both Asian and European shores of Istanbul. Afternoon is free. Tonight, we will have a Farewell Dinner at a Sea Food Restaurant in the Flower Passage in Taksim. (B&D)

Day 12: 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
  • Domestic Flight from Istanbul to Adana 
  • 4/5 Stars Hotels Accommodation on BB and 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
  • Farewell Dinner in Istanbul
  • Local Taxes and Service Charge
Excluding
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips to the Driver and Guide
  • Lunch
  • 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.