Footsteps of St Paul Tour (17 nights/18 days), Biblical Tour

TOUR DETAILS:
Footsteps of St Paul Tour (17 nights/18 days)
Tour Duration: 17 nights / 18 days
Days of Operation: Private Tour
Destination's: Turkey
Hotel's Class: 5, 4, 3 Stars Hotel or Tourist Class
Season: All Year
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes


Overnight Places:
4 nights Istanbul, 1 night Ankara, 2 nights Cappadocia, 2 nights Adana, 1 night Konya, 2 nights Antalya, 1 night Pamukkale, 1 night Kusadasi, 2 night Izmir, 1 night Canakkale.


Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Istanbul.
Transfer to the hotel. Brief city orientation given. Free day at your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul.
After breakfast, visit Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Following a lunch break, visit the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul.
After breakfast, there is a half-day tour visiting the Spice Market, followed by a ferry cruise through the Bosphorus. A coffee break is given at Ortakoy village. Free afternoon at your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Ankara.
Morning departure for Ankara, where you will visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations; and Angora Castle. Overnight in Ankara.

Day 5: Cappadocia.
Set off for Cappadocia, a landscape of extraordinary rock formations. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Zelve Open Air Museum, Avanos and Uchisar Castle. Overnight in Urgup.

Day 6: Cappadocia.
Explore Cappadocia further; the land of Saints and early Christians. Ramble in beautiful valleys, discover underground cities and visit old Christian villages. Overnight in Urgup.

Day 7: Adana.
Depart for Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Drive through the Taurus Mountains and visit St. Paul's Arch, Cleopatra's Gate and the Well of the Blessed Water. Overnight in Adana.

Day 8: Adana.
Excursion to Antakya, the Biblical Antioch-on-Orantes. Visit Samandag, the biblical Seleucia Pieria, the Grotto of St. Peter, Titus Water Tunnel and Mosaic Museum. Overnight in Adana.

Day 9: Konya.
Set off for Konya to visit the Shrine of Mevlana (the mystic philosopher who inspired the 'Whirling Dervishes'), and the Selcuk mosques. Overnight in Konya.

Day 10: Antalya.
Depart for Yalvaçc the ancient Antioch-in-Pisidia, where St.Paul's first recorded sermon was given. In the afternoon, drive to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 11: Antalya.
Excursion to the ancient city of Perge, where St. Paul preached, followed by a visit to the Aspendos Theater. Continue on to Side to visit the Temple of Apollon. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 12: Pamukkale.
Depart for Pamukkale to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, where St. Philip the Apostle was martyred. Enjoy a leisurely bath in a hot spring pool. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 13: Kusadasi.
Set off for Eskihisar - ancient Laodicea; and visit the its church and ruins, followed by Aphrodisias ancient city featuring the Temple of Aphrodite, Theater, and Hadrian Baths. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 14: Izmir.
Drive to Ephesus to visit the spectacular ruins, the House of Virgin Mary, Archaeological Museum and Basilica of St. John. Stop-off at the picturesque Sirince village. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 15: Izmir.
Excursion to the Church of St. Policarp, symbolizing the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, followed by Alexander the Great's "Velvet Castle", Sardis ancient Lydian city and the ancient Philadelphia Church in Alasehir. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 16: Canakkale.
Morning departure for Akhisar to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, followed by a visit to the Acropolis and Asclepion in ancient Pergamon. Drive to Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 17: Istanbul.
Visit the ancient city of Troy. Drive to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 18: Departure.
Departure from Istanbul, or, extra nights in Istanbul.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
(B), (L), (D); B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner.