Private 18 Days Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey Tour

You will meet your tour guide this morning at the hotel reception and head to the old city. During the tour, you will explore iconic landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. At the end of the tour, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel.

After breakfast, we will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Eminonu. First, we will visit Rustem Pasha Mosque, a hidden gem built by Mimar Sinan, a famous Turkish architect for the grand vizier and son-in-law of Sultan Suleiman. 
Afterward, we will visit Spice Market and indulge in the aromatic flavors of this exotic market. 
Later, we will walk to the port and take a Bosphorus Cruise. You can see the landmarks of Istanbul from a different angle. 
We will drive you back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

We will meet you at your hotel early in the morning and drive you to the airport for your flight to Adana. We will then drive you to Hatay, also known as Antioch.
Hatay is the starting point of St. Paul's missionary journey and the home of the first Christian Church built outside of Israel. 
We will visit St. Peters Church and Hatay Mosaic Museum. We will drive you to your hotel at the end of the tour. Overnight in Hatay.

Today, we will drive to Samandag also known as Seleucia Pieria where Apostle Paul and Barnabas started their first missionary journey to Cyprus. 

We will continue to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. We will visit St. Paul's Church. It is under protection since 1993 and due to lack of a community, they do not hold regular services. However, ceramonies are conducted for pilgrim groups.

We will stay overnight in Tarsus.

Today, we will check out after breakfast and drive to Cappadocia. On our way, we will visit Ihlara Valley, where we will hike through the valley and visit the rock-cut monasteries. 
Afterward, we will drive to Cappadocia and check into our hotel, where we will stay for three nights. 

After breakfast, we will visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. It is famous for its rock-carved churches and Byzantine frescoes. We will visit the Basil Church, St. Barbara Church, Dark Church, St. Catherine Chapel, and Nunnery. 
Afterward, we will drive to the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, Ortahisar, and Avanos. 
Our last stop is Pasabag, also known as the Monk's Valley. We will see the area's amazing fairy chimneys and explore St. Simeon Church.
We will drive you back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

***Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride in the morning
Today, you have the option to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, offering a breathtaking perspective of Cappadocia's unique landscapes (Please book in advance)
After breakfast, we will visit Kaymakli Underground City, Uchisar Castle, Pigeon Valley, and Love Valley. We will drive you back to your hotel at the end of the tour. 

After breakfast, we will check out and drive to Konya, also known as Iconium. St. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Konya long, speaking boldly about the Gospel. 
We will also visit Rumi Mausoleum, Karatay Madrasah and Ince Minaret Mosque.
We will drive to Yalvac and visit Psidian Antioch, where Apostle Paul delivered his first recorded sermon and said the famous words, " Now we turn to Gentiles." 
We will stay overnight in Yalvac.

Today, we will drive to Antalya and visit Aspendos, an Ancient City famous for its exceptionally well-preserved ancient theater. We will also visit Perge, an Ancient City where St. Paul delivered his speech on Christianity. Perge was an important transit point for Apostle Paul while he was traveling to Psidian Antioch. 
Our last stop is the old city of Antalya. Afterward, we will check into our hotel for an overnight stay. 

We will leave Antalya after breakfast and drive to Pamukkale. We will visit Hierapolis Ancient City, where we’ll see the Necropolis, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, and St. Philip's tomb. We will stop at Cleopatra's Pool. You can swim in the antique pool or rest after the walk through the ancient city. 
Afterward, you will have free time to explore the cotton castles of Pamukkale. You can enjoy Pamukkale's hot, healing waters and take amazing photos. 
At the end of the tour, we will check into our hotel for an overnight stay in Pamukkale.

In the morning, we will visit Laodicea Ancient City, one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelations. We will explore the Statue of Emperor Augustus, the Aqueduct, the Stadium, the Ephesian Gate, and Christian ruins.
We will drive to Honaz and visit Colossae Ancient City, an ancient metropolis of Phrygia mentioned in St. Paul's letter.
Afterward, we will visit Philadelphia, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. 
Our last stop is Sardis. We will visit the remnants of the early church, the Sardis Gymnasium, the Jewish Synagogue, and the Temple of Diana. We will stay overnight near Sardis.

After breakfast, we will check out and drive to Thyatira, also known as one of the Seven Churches of Revelations. This city is famous for its trade in purple clothes, a rare color in ancient times. 
Afterward, we will drive to Miletus, an ancient Ionian port city. Miletus is the city where St. Paul delivered a heartfelt farewell speech to the Ephesian elders. He recounted his ministry among them, warned them about future challenges (such as false teachers), and encouraged them to remain vigilant and faithful.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to Kusadasi, where we will stay for two nights. 

Today, we will drive to Ephesus, the Ancient City. On his second missionary journey, St. Paul visited Ephesus and stayed for more than three years. We will explore the remains of this fantastic city, including the Celsus Library, Agora, The Theater, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple, and Hercules Gate.
Afterward, we will drive to The Virgin Mary's House, visit the chapel, explore the humble stone house where Mother Mary lived in her last years, and visit the peaceful garden and whishing wall.

Our last stop is the Basilica of St. John. This 6th-century church, built by Emperor Justinian, at the burial site of St. John the Apostle. Among its stunning ruins, you will feel a deep connection to early Christianity.
At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Kusadasi. Drop off at your hotel. 
 

After breakfast, we will check out and drive to Izmir. We will visit Smyrna, another of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. We will explore Smyrna Agora, and the Church of Polycarp. 
Afterward, we will drive to Pergamon, another one of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelations. We will visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan, the Serapis Temple, the Heroon, the Sanctuary of Athena, the Temple of Athena, the Theatre, the Zeus Altar, and the Red Court. At the end of the tour, we will drive to Assos and stay overnight.

Today, we will visit Assos Ancient City, where St. Paul met his companions who had arrived by sea during the final leg of his third missionary journey. Then, we will visit Alexandria Troas, where St. Paul raised Autychus from the dead.
Our last stop is the legendary Troy, an Ancient city mentioned in Homer's epic poems. We will visit the ruins of Troy and the replica of the Trojan Horse. 
We will drive to Canakkale for an overnight stay at the end of the tour. 

After breakfast, we will check out and drive to Istanbul. Check into our hotel and free evening in Istanbul.

Today, we will drive you to airport according to your flight schedule for your flight back home.