In the Footsteps of St. Paul (Biblical Tour) in Asia Minor

DAY 1 ISTANBUL TO ANKARA Welcome to Ankara Esenboga Airport, the capital of young & modern Turkey, Ankara’s history and that of the surrounding area dates back to the Bronze Age and the Hatti civilization. Deren Koray Tourism staff will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. Welcome cocktail is for getting acquaintance with Ankara and brief information for this special trip. Dinner will be held at hotel in the heart of the city [D]

DAY 2 ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA (Galatia: Galatians; Acts 16:16, 18:23) We’d like to start our tour with the impressive modern form of Ataturk’s Mausoleum where ancient and modern architectural concepts testifies to the power and grace of Turkish architecture took place. Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its priceless collection of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Roman artifacts, For lunch we’ll pass to Byzantine Ankara Castle for traditional Zenger Pasha Restaurant. Then we’ll proceed for Roman Baths with its Roman structure remain. Temple of Augustus and Rome await your exploration. Our journey is straight to Cappadocia where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the natural moonscape surroundings. In the afternoon visit Agzikarahan and the skirt of the natural citadel of Uchisar, an informative quick local tour for this region and a small lecture about forming the natural fairy chimneys will be given here, then arrive at hotel and check-in. Dinner will be served at hotel. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 3 CAPPADOCIA Today we’ll start to explore Goreme with Derinkuyu Underground City. Ready to get lost in 8 layer of this hidden city? You’ll see miles of tunnels and grape-treading areas in this lighted city. See the deceitful pathways and hidden corners to fail the enemy of this city that were used by the early Christians in order to defend themselves from the persecution. Next stop will be Göreme Valley where you’ll walk thru the pathways and tunnels among the fairy chimneys and visit the churches having gorgeous frescoes dated back 11th to 12th century and many more. Zelve Open Air Museum offers the visitors just a culture & nature parade, then we’ll proceed Avanos where the most popular handicraft is made, have the chance to try your hand at making a pot in one of the many studios as well as weaving and knotting. Lunch at one of the restaurants at (don’t be surprised by the new name of the area) Bill Clinton’s Valley and after the president’s place we’ll proceed for Uchisar Castle and we’ll visit a local Doyurgan winery. Dinner at in the middle of cones and fairy chimneys at Karakus Restaurant in a very traditional with its unlimited entertainment and splendid regional cultural show including Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Turkish folk dance with banquet with the traditional way in Urgup. Join one of the folk-animation in here! [B] [L] [D]

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA – TARSUS – ADANA (Tarsus: Acts: 9:11, 30, 11:25, 21:39, 22:3, 25-29) In the morning we’ll depart for Tarsus situated East of Mersin, on the edge of fertile Cukurova Plain, as the birthplace of St. Paul. Of ancient origin, the city was invaded and destroyed on several occasions and only a few monuments of particular interest remain: The Cleopatra Gate thru which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra passed when they came to Tarsus to meet, an ancient church, and the Ottoman Ulucami. You’ll get the feel of bygone days by walking thru narrow streets past old houses to find St. Paul’s well. En route Eski Gumus Monastery and arriving Tarsus. Visiting the birthplace of St. Paul and in order to make this trip spiritual, drink the holy water at that point. Today’s journey will end at Adana the 4th big city in Turkey. Check – in at hotel located in the heart of the city. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 5 ADANA – ANTIOCH – SELEUCIA PERIA (Antioch: Acts 6:5, 11:19-20, 11:26, 13:1-3, 15:1-2, 22-25), (Seleucia Peria: Acts 13:4) In the morning we’ll depart for the holy city Antioch which lies on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile plain surrounded by the grant mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture. It featured prominently in early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter all visited & preached here. Apostles’s The New Testament Book of Acts that declaring Jesus’s followers were called Christians, caved church where St. Peter first celebrated mass. You’ll enter Antioch thru actual gate called Iron Gate situated at southbound of the church. In 1983 the church was declared a holy site by Vatican. Just feel the spirit of the Saints walked thru these streets at that time. A little has changed here. Time to visit Roman mosaic Museum that is considered one of the best in world. After a break for lunch we’ll drive to the resort town with a pristine beach. Seleucia Peria (Cevlik), north of town, was founded around 300 B.C. and by the time St. Paul and St. Barnabas made their first missionary journey (45-46 A.D.) that was a busy port. The most interesting monument to see is the Tunnel of Titus, built to divert-rain water. Even by today’s standards it is a tremendous engineering achievement. We’ll proceed for Kapisuyu village for the spectacular panorama from the Zeus Temple of the ancient harbor, sandy beach and fertile plain. Return to Adana. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 6 ADANA – KONYA (Iconium: Acts 13:51, 14:1-6, 19, 16:2, 11 Timothy 3:11) Depart for Konya via Karapinar and Meke Crater Lake where you can see the splendid view of natural monument, arrive in Konya that one of Turkey’s oldest continuously inhabited cities was known as Iconium in Roman times ranking as one of the great cultural centers of Turkey. Konya is the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th century. We’ll visit the mausoleum of Mevlana who was the founder of the whirling dervishes, Konya’s most famous building, Karatay Medrese (College) displays bold and striking Seljuk ceramics, whirling dervishes monastry of 13th century, Ince Minareli Medrese and Archaeological Museum is the last visit for today. Dinner at Sifa restaurant for regional dish, pide & ayran [B] [L] [D]

DAY 7 KONYA – PISIDIAN ANTIOCH – PAMUKKALE (Pisidian Antioch: Acts 13:14-52, 11, Timothy 3:11) Today’s program will start with Pisidian Antioch where St. Paul changed world history as he started to explain the Christianity to the pagans. Visiting the church of St. Paul, the Roman Bath, Temple of Augustus and the museum. Proceed for Pamukkale magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, that declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, arriving Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau’s edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Dinner at Kelleci Kardesler or Mantar Restaurant serving delicious regional food. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 8 PAMUKKALE – IZMIR (Hierapolis: Colossians 2:18, 4:13, Colossae: Colossians), (Laodiceia: Revelation 3:14-22), (Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11) In the morning we’ll explore Hierapolis where the Martyrium of St. Phillippe located behind the theatre. En route visit Laodicea Church, one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation as well as Philadelphia and Sardis. Time to pop in Philadelphia then we’ll proceed for the ruins of ancient Sart (Sardis), once the capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus, lie on the Sart Cayi (Pactole River). Here the first coins were minted. Arrive at Izmir. (Home stay in Izmir is your Choice) [B] [L] [D]

DAY 9 EPHESUS (Ephesus: Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7, Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41, Ephesians) First visit of today will start with in Ephesus once the commercial center of the ancient world is a highlight of Turkey. The third Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus in 431 under Emperor Theodosius II (grandson of Theodosius the Great). 200 Bishops were present here. Ephesus was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times. St. Paul and St. John preached here!. Heracletes Gate, Curates Street, Scholastic Baths, Celcus Library, Marble Road, Great Theater, Arcadian way, (Harbor Street), The Basilica of St. John, Virgin Mary’s House that was visited by both Pope VI Paul and Pope Jean Paul. The museums in Selcuk region will be interesting and informative. After Ephesus, we’ll depart for Selcuk and typical Turkish Village Sirince and here we’ll taste the vine & gozleme cooked by wooden flame and we’ll return to Izmir, arrive at night. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 10 MANISA – AKHISAR – BURSA (Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29, Acts 16-14) In the morning we’ll pass thru Manisa preserving several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, en route Akhisar, Thyatira one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, mentioned by St. John in the Book of Revelation, visit the church of Thyatira. Later we’ll stop over at Susurluk having the regional sandwich containing Mihaliç cheese with its foamy ayran. Proceed to Bursa that was the first capital of Ottoman Empire. Arrive at Bursa, check-in at hotel and we’ll meet for shopping at Grand Covered Bazaar that is famous for its silk, embroidery, towels and hand made Islamic ornaments. Bursa is famous for its thermal springs as well, in order to get rid of the tiredness of entire journey we strongly recommend you to take the advantage of this natural treatment in a very traditional way in Turkish Bath. Tonight we’ll invite you to have a traditional Turkish Doner Kebap (Gyro) at Kebapci Iskender who is professional about his cooking style since 1867. The rest of the night is yours. Enjoy your stay. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 11 BURSA – IZNIK – ISTANBUL Bursa is known as Green Bursa in Turkey. Today you’ll have the chance to explore the masterpiece of Ottoman Empire Ulu (Grand) Mosque where 3 religious were fabulously blended onto the building, Green Mosque, Green Tomb, continuing Iznik, (Nicaea) famous for its china & tiles in Turkey. Nicaea is really important place for Christians since the two Ecumenical Councils were held here – The First Ecumenical Council of 325 Under Emperor Constantine the Great with 318 Bishops and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 Under Empress Irene with 367 Bishops. The Green Mosque and the museum will be visited in here as well. Later on we’ll depart for Istanbul, the paradise of two continents, transfer to hotel located in the center of the city and check–in. [B] [L] [D]

DAY 12 ISTANBUL Today’s full day excursion will start with one of the landmarks of Istanbul the Blue Mosque famous for blue and white Iznik tiles built between 1609-1616. We’ll proceed for the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space. The Basilica of St. Sophia, one of the finest buildings of all time built by Emperor Justinian now Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s Mosque. Exploring the majestic serenity and the fine Byzantine mosaics of the building. Lunch at Konyali one of the well known restaurants in Topkapi. Time to visit Topkapi Palace having the galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of gorgeous crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain of Ottoman era. Visit Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and children of the sultan, charms visitors, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. Finally we’ll depart for gorgeous Grand Bazaar having over 4000 shops inside. Ready to get lost? Go on then. At night we’ll join informative light & sound show in the front of Blue Mosque and a farewell dinner was held at one of the best restaurants in Istanbul [B] [L] [D]

DAY 13 END OF OUR SERVICE After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Ataturk Airport. Time to have your present in order to make this trip memorial. It’ll be a great pleasure to host you in Turkey again since there are so many things to see. Thanks for choosing the right agency. [B]

Tour Code: DKC005