The Footsteps of St. Paul/Turkey

13 Days / 12 Nights

Day 1:

Istanbul: Arrival in Ataturk Airport, transfer to your hotel dinner and overnight.

Day 2:

Istanbul, is the only city in the world astride two continents and the Bosphorus separating Asia from Europe. In the morning city tour to St. Sophia, Chora Monastery and St. Irene. In the afternoon proceed to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3:

Leave for Kusadasi: Visit of Troy, then Alexandra troas. Assos (Acts. 20:4) and Pergamum on route. Arrival in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4:

Kusadasi: Visit of Ephesus (Acts 19:35) with its theater where St. Paul challenged the idol makers (Acts: 19-23-41) Council of Ephesus held here. Then continue the last abode of Virgin Mary, where Pope X1 prayed during his visit in 1967. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5:

Proceed to Pamukkale. Visit Miletus (Acts: 20:15-16-17, 22) on route. Arrival in Hierapolis antique city. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6:

Drive to Antalya. Ancient Attalia. St. Paul realized his first missionary tour to Attalia. Then continue to Alanya. On route visit Parge antique city. Arrival in Antalya. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7:

Leave for Mersin. On route visit of Selenice, on the Calycamus river where Emperor Frederic Barbarossa drowned in 1190, the caves of St. Thecla. Arrival in Mersin. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8:

Visit of Tarsus. Birthplace of St. Paul. I am a Jew born in Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts: 22:3) Then continue to Antakya (Antioch) scene of Saint Paul's first ministry. The term Christian first used here. Short visit to Seleucia Pierte. (SAMANDAG). Return to Iskenderun. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9:

Through Cilician Gates continue to Cappadocia. Early settlements of first Christian community. Dinner and overnight in Urgup.

Day 10:

Full day tour to volcanic pinnacles rock-carved chapels, and the other fantastic places.

Day 11:

Visit Zelve, Avanos and Ortahisar.

Day 12:

Continue to Ankara.

Day 13:

Flight from Ankara to Europe via Istanbul.