Day 1 – ISTANBUL / ADANA / ANTIOCH
Upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, we connect directly to a domestic flight to Adana, ancient Cilicia. From there, we make our way to Tarsus, the birthplace of St Paul. Highlights include St Paul’s well and Cleopatra’s Gate. We continue on to Antioch at Orontes and stay the night there
Day 2 – ANTIOCH
Today, we journey east to Antakya, ancient Antioch. Antioch is thought to have been founded in 300 BC. St Peter was the first to preach here, followed by St Paul and Barnabas whose extensive efforts proved to be very fruitful for Christianity. Highlights include the museum which houses a superb collection of mosaics from Antioch, Daphne and Seleucia Pieria. St Peter’s Grotto, the cave church, came to be known as the meeting place of the early Christians. The most interesting monument here is the Tunnel of Titus, which is a tremendous canal dug for the purpose of diverting waters from the Orontes River. Another highlight is the rock tombs with their impressive facades pertaining to the Hellenistic period.
Day 3 – ANTIOCH / CAPPADOCIA
After an early breakfast, we drive north to Cappadocia. Our first stop is Derinkuyu, an underground city carved into soft rocks resembling a huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine cellars and passageways. A huge chimney ventilates this 8-level dwelling, which was used by Christians hiding from their Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Their colourful frescoes remain as vibrant as when they were first made. Further on, we come to Cappadocia, which reminds the visitor of a village out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
Day 4 – CAPPADOCIA
In the morning, we visit the Valleys of Goreme to explore the unusual troglodyte dwellings, remains of the early churches comprising complicated rooms hollowed out of the cones of volcanic ash and decorated with scratched frescoes. We will visit the Apple Church, the Church of Sandals, and the Church with a Buckle in Goreme. Next stops are Ortahisar and Pasabagi where monks used to live in seclusion in rock cut rooms.
Day 5 – PAMUKKALE / HIERAPOLIS / LAODICEA / PHILADELPHIA / KUSADASI
In the morning, we visit Hierapolis, which was founded by Pergamon King Telephus and named after his wife, Hiera. During the Byzantine period, the city became the seat of diocese with a large Christian Church dedicated to St Philip, who was martyred there in 80 AD. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre and the famous white calcium cascades of Pamukkale (the white “Cotton Castles”). Then, we visit Laodicea, where we will find a Theatre, a large Stadium, a Water Tower and an Odeon. This city is supposed to have been named by Antiochus II in honour of his wife, Laodicea. Next stop will be on Philadelphia which was an important Christian centre during Byzantine times. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 – KONYA / PAMUKKALE
After breakfast we will drive to Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac) where St. Paul opened Christianity to the world. Yalvac’s history goes back to 280 B.C. During St. Paul’s time the population was a mixture of Jews, Romans and Greeks. Very little is left of Pisidian Antioch today. There is the propylaea of the acropolis with a number of carved stones and the remains of a Byzantine church. Then drive to Pamukkale. Upon arrival we visit Hierapolis which was founded by Pergamon king Telephos and named after his wife Hiera. During the Byzantine period the city became the seat of diocese with a large Christian Church dedicated to St. Philip, martyred here in 80 A.D. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Temple of Apollo and the Theater.
Day 7 – PAMUKKALE / LAODICEA / SARDIS / KUSADASI
After breakfast visit to Laodicea where we find here two Theaters, a large Stadium, a Water Tower and an Odeon. The city is named by Antiochus II in honor of his wife, Laodicea. St. Paul wrote a letter to the church here (Acts:4:16). Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia which was an important Christian centre during Byzantine times. We will see the ruins of the Basilica. Then we drive to Sardis whose history dates back to 12th century B.C. Sardis felt the influence of Christianity very early and was included in the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. During the Byzantine times it was the seat of a bishopric. Highlights will be a Synagogue, Gymnasium, Byzantine Church and the Temple of Artemis.
Day 8 – KUSADASI / EPHESUS / KUSADASI
Following an early breakfast, we drive to the famous city of Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological sites. Our tour will begin with the Basilica of St John “the Evangelist” who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel in Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity, was located here. Highlights include the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Theatre. We will also stop by the House of Virgin Mary (on top of Mt Coressos). She was believed to have spent her last years in this area. On 18 August 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed this place to be sacred.
Day 9 – KUSADASI / THYATIRA / PERGAMON / BURSA
We leave for Bursa. On the way visit a glimpse at one of the Churches of Revelation in Izmir (Smyrna). Then we drive to Thyteria to see the remains of the church. This was one of the principle towns where Christianity spread quickly. Then we will stop by hauntingly beautiful Pergamum which rises high on a hill as one nears the city of Bergama. Highlights will include the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Trojan and the Theater.
Day 10 – BURSA / IZNIK / ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we leave Bursa and drive to Iznik, formerly known as Nicea. The city was founded around 1000 BC. In 325 AD, the First Ecumenical Council was held here for the purpose of condemning the heresy of Arianism. The Seventh Ecumenical Council was also held here in the St Sophia Church, which we will visit. The church was built in the 4th century and has a mosaic floor which dates to the 6th century. All gates and walls date from the Byzantine times. Later we proceed to Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace, which was home to the sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is now a museum exhibiting imperial collections of crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain and imperial costumes. Lastly, we will visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store-front.
Day 11 – ISTANBUL
Following breakfast, we take the Bosphorus cruise to enjoy the unique experience of cruising between 2 continents, Asia and Europe. After lunch, we will travel to the St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom), now called the Ayasofya Museum. Built by Constantine the Great, it was reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century and is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Then we will visit Underground Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome of Constantinople, the centre of Byzantine civic life, where horse and chariot races used to take place. Departure transfer to the airport for flight to home.
