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12 Days , 7 Cities
From$2934
Turkey – Journey to The Home of Mythology
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape, the only capital city from the Hellenistic period, in…
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Customizable Itinerary
This sample itinerary was created by our destination specialist to inspire you. It can be customized to your exact preferences and budget.
Since up to 98 percent of the population are Muslims, Christians are a minority religion in Turkey. The population includes members of the Armenian Apostolic and Greek Orthodox churches, Roman and Eastern Catholics, and Jews. Because it is a secular country, the only Muslim country globally that has no State religion, the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and tolerance is the rule.
Countries Visited
Turkey, Greece
Places Visited
İstanbul, , Konya, Pamukkale, Kuşadası, Patmos, İzmir
Suggested Duration
14 days
Travel Styles
Christian Tours
ITINERARY
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DAY 1
Welcome to Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, where our hospitality host will meet you.
Istanbul is the former Byzantium - the powerful capital of the Byzantine Empire, the stronghold of Early Christianity. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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Dinner
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Accommodation
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Transfer
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DAY 2
Istanbul - Spend an unforgettable day of sightseeing
After breakfast, spend an unforgettable day of sightseeing; the Church of St. Savior in Chora represents the best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art with scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin, one of the earliest and most important Christian churches; the Byzantine Hippodrome, where once the horse and chariot races took place; St. Sophia Church, the glory of the Byzantine Empire, built by the Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child; the impressive Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets; the Topkapi Palace home of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, and the Grand Bazaar. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Accommodation
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Tour
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DAY 3
Antioch (Antakya) - Visit St. Peter’s Grotto, the first Christian Rock Church
Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul Domestic Flight Airport for the flight to Antakya, Biblical "Antioch on the Orontes." Antioch (Acts 6:5; 11:19-30; 13; 1-3; 15:1-2,22-35) is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Visit St. Peter’s Grotto, the first Christian Rock Church, where early Christians of Antioch used to meet in secret. Paul and Barnabas set out on their first journey from Antioch. Visit the second richest Mosaic Museum of the world before proceeding to Samandag, Biblical "Seleucia Pieria," which was the seaport of Antioch in Roman times, from which Paul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Antakya.What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Tour
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Transfer
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Flight
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DAY 4
Cappadocia - Visit Tarsus the home of young Paul
After breakfast, a departure from the hotel. Visit Tarsus (Acts 9:11,30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3; 25:29), which was the home of young Paul, who was born there about the time Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Continue to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.
(Driving distance is approx. 500 km-6,5 hours from Antakya to Cappadocia)
What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Tour
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DAY 5
Cappadocia - Explore famed fairy chimneys
After breakfast, a departure from the hotel for a full-day private sightseeing tour of Cappadocia.
Visits to the Uc Guzeller, which are famed fairy chimneys; Devrent Valley, which has various types of fairy chimneys; Pasabaglari (Monk’s Valley), where you will see many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here.
Drive to Avanos, which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. Continue to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, where religious education started. You will see the churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescoes painted on the walls. Visit Kaymakli Underground City, the place early Christians hid from persecutors. Take some photos of the Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the region. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Accommodation
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Tour
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DAY 6
Konya - Visit the Mosque and the Mausoleum of the Great poet Mevlana
After breakfast, a departure from the hotel and drive to Konya.
Continue to Konya, Biblical "Iconium" (Acts 13:51; 14:1-6,19:16:2). Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people, but those against them were very influential and got the support of the majority on their side. Paul and Barnabas were warned in time enough to escape being stoned there. Visit the Mosque and the Mausoleum of the Great poet Mevlana, the founder of the Whirling Dervishes order. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
(Driving distance is approx. 230 km-4,5 hours from Cappadocia to Konya)What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Tour
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DAY 7
Pamukkale - Pisidian Antioch(Yalvac) and Hierapolis
Leave Konya and drive to Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac). On the First Journey, St. Paul and St. Barnabas left the area of Perga without John Mark and proceeded to Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. The address there caused the reaction that later characterized St. Paul’s mission journeys; some had a revival, others a riot.
The remains of this Byzantine church are the traditional location of the synagogue that Paul preached in (Acts 13:14-52).
Recent excavations have revealed a 1st-century building underneath the church which has been identified as the synagogue. A mosaic floor has been found in the church with Psalm 42:4 inscribed on it.
Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its unique stalactite formations and the beautiful natural warm water pools. Dinner and overnight in Hierapolis (Pamukkale).What's included?
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DAY 8
Kusadasi - Laodicea and Aphrodisias
After breakfast, a departure from the hotel. In Pamukkale, visits to the ruins of Hierapolis, including the magnificently preserved cemetery “Necropolis,” the main street and gates, the thermal baths, the Roman theatre, and the museum. Then visit Laodecia (Rev. 3:14-16).
Continue and visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Continue to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
(Driving distance is approx. 190 km-3 hours from Pamukkale to Kusadasi).What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Tour
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DAY 9
Kusadası - Explore the ancient city of Ephesus and the last house of Virgin Mary
Drive and f/day visit of Ephesus (Acts: 17 and Rev. 2-1), the Basilica of John, the last House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Diana, along with the other famous remains. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadası.What's included?
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Breakfast
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DAY 10
Kusadası - St John Theologos Monastery, Patmos
Early morning depart from Kusadası by private ferry to Patmos (4.5 hrs).
Visit the cave of Apocalypse, St John Theologos Monastery, and Island Tour.
Return by ferry to Kusadası (4.5 hrs). Meet the group at the pier in Kusadası and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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Breakfast
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Dinner
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Accommodation
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Tour
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Cruise/Boat
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DAY 11
Izmir - Sardis and Philadelphia
After breakfast, drive to Sardis (Rev: 3-1). Known biblically as the church's home that received the fifth of letters to the seven churches in Revelation, Sardis was the capital of the Lydian empire and one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Visit the Temple of Artemis, the recently reconstructed gymnasium and the largest synagogue discovered in Asia Minor, and continue to Philadelphia (Rev: 3-7). It achieved its fame as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Philadelphia and Smyrna were the only two churches about which John said nothing negative. Drive to Izmir and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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DAY 12
Assos - Smyrna and Thyatira
After a short sightseeing tour of Izmir. Ancient Smyrna is one of the Seven Churches (Rev: 2-8). Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey. Visit of St Polycarp Church, and
continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches with remains of a Basilica.
Continue to Pergamum, is one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation, the city of Pergamum became the center of a large kingdom in the 3rd century BC and retained its status as a political and cultural leader into the Byzantine period. To see the majestic Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus (Throne of Satan), the Theater, Temples, Palaces, the Gymnasium, and the Asklepion (the ancient medical center).
Drive to Assos and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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DAY 13
Istanbul - Discover the famous city of Homer's 'Iliad", Troy
After breakfast, visit Assos, where Paul rejoined his companions after a 20-mile walk.
(Acts: 20-13), Alexandria Troas, whence Paul, inspired by a dream, set sail to Neapolis in Macedonia on his Second Missionary Journey (Act of the Apostles: 16.9).
Visit Troy, the famous city of Homer's 'Iliad," among the remains of nine levels dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the Roman period. Continue to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.What's included?
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Breakfast
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DAY 14
Depart to Istanbul Airport
Today our journey ends with good memories as we bid farewell to our new Turkish friends. Transfer to the airport for our flight home.What's included?
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Breakfast
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Transfer
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PRICES
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GALLERY
HIGHLIGHT
What’s Included?
- 13 nights’ accommodation at 4 Star or/and luxury or/and boutique hotels, centrally located
2 nights in Istanbul
1 night in Antakya
2 nights in Cappadocia
1 night in Konya
1 night in Pamukkale
3 nights in Kusadasi
1 night in Izmir
1 night in Assos
1 night in Istanbul - 13 buffet breakfasts and 13 dinners
- Istanbul – Hatay domestic flight (optional)
- Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Transfers & transportation with a private luxury vehicle
- English speaking professional group guide from beginning to the end.
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Sightseeing Highlights Included
- Istanbul – Spend an unforgettable day of sightseeing: the Church of St. Savior in Chora, the Byzantine Hippodrome, St. Sophia Church, the impressive Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar.
- Antioch – Visit St. Peter’s Grotto and the second richest Mosaic Museum in the world.
- Tarsus – Visit the city which was the home of young Paul
- Cappadocia – Explore the Uc Guzeller, Devrent valley, Pasabaglari (Monk’s Valley), Goreme Open Air Museum, Kaymakli Underground City, and take some photos in Uchisar castle.
- Konya – Visit the Mosque and the Mausoleum of the Great poet Mevlana, the founder of the Whirling Dervish order.
- Pisidian Antioch – Discover the remains of this Byzantine church are the traditional location of the synagogue that Paul preached in (Acts 13:14-52).
- Pamukkale – Admire the famous for its unique stalactite formations and the beautiful natural pools of warm water, and visit the ruins of Hierapolis
- Laodicea – Visit the city located in the Lycus River Valley together with Hierapolis and Colossae.
- Aphrodisias – Explore the city of Aphrodite.
- Ephesus – Visit of Ephesus (Acts: 17 and Rev. 2-1), the Basilica of John, the last House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Diana
- Patmos – Explore the cave of the Apocalypse, St John Theologos Monastery, and Island Tour.
- Kusadasi – Discover this lovely Aegean small town
- Sardis – Visit the ruins known biblically as the church’s home that received the fifth of letters to the seven churches in Revelation.
- Philadelphia – Visit this Antich city that achieved its fame as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- Izmir (Smyrna) – Smyrna is one of the Seven Churches (Rev: 2-8), and the visit of St Polycarp Church
- Thyatira – Visit the Antich city in Asia Minor, the seat of one of the seven apocalyptic churches.
- Pergamum – is one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. Visit the majestic Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus (Throne of Satan), the Theater, Temples, Palaces, the Gymnasium, and the Asklepion (the ancient medical center).
- Assos – stop to see this Antich town where Paul rejoined his companions after a 20-mile walk.
- Troy – Visit the famous city of Homer’s ‘Iliad” among the remains of nine levels dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the Roman period.