Transbalkan Travel Service - Turkey : In the Steps of St. Paul

IN THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL
(MODIFIED II - 10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS)

Paul healing the cripple in Lystra: Acts 14.8-.18

Day 1 : ISTANBUL - ANKARA
Flight to Ankara via Istanbul. Ankara is the capital of modern Turkey Transfer to hotel by private motorcoach. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA
In the morning, visit the remarkable Anatolian Civilizations Museum, among its treasures are Neolithic frescoes, Bronze Age emblems, the remains of the fabled Phyrigian King Midas, as well as many objects from the Hittites. Stroll in the old Ankara citadel. Tour the Augustus Temple and pay a visit to the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk. After lunch drive to the Cappadocia travelling along the shores of the great Salt Lake. Arrive in Cappadocia late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 3 : CAPPADOCIA
Start out early for a full day’s excursion into the magical lunarscape of Cappadocia’s rocky hills & valleys. Dominated by Erciyes Dagi, Mt. Argaeus, the region was first settled by ancient people then home to Romans, early Christians, Byzantines and Seljuks. Visit Goreme Church Valley, Zelve, Avanos, Ortahisar and Uchisar, and see some of the many churches carved into the rocks. Return to the hotel for night.

Cappadocia

Day 4: CAPPADOCIA - ICONIUM (Konya)
Visit Kaymakli underground city in the morning. Kaymakli with some floors down the underground was home to early Christian refugees. On the way south visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai. Drive to Karaman, Derbe where St. Paul preached, then visit Lystra, where St. Paul stopped on his journey. Arrive Konya , Iconium for the night.

Day 5: ICONIUM (Konya) - HIERAPOLIS
Morning sightseeing of Konya, visit the Mevlana Mouseleum and Museum, the founder of the whirling dervishes in the Islamic sect. Proceed to Yalvac, Pisidian Antioch where St. paul said, "We now turn to the gentiles" and opened Christianity to the world. Passing by Egridir Lake arrive at Pamukkale, Hierapolis and overnight.

Day 6 : HIERAPOLIS - IZMIR
After a visit to Hierapolis ruins and St. Philip`s martyrdom, drive to Loadicea. The church at Laodicea was an extension church of the church at Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colosea. Continue on to Alasehir, Philadelphia the church of "brotherly love" of the apocalpsel. Proceed to Sardes another of the Seven Churches.
Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 7 : IZMIR
Morning departure to Ephesus. St. Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years. The still standing amphitheatre is the witness of the riots against St. Paul. The very first church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built in Ephesus after visiting Hadrian Temple, Celcus Library, St. John`s Basilica, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Diana, proceed to Miletos, with one of the largest amphitheatres in Asia Minor. It was in Miletos that Paul stopped at the end of his third journey and predicted his imprisonment. Later in the day visit Apollo Temple at Didyma and return to Izmir.

Day 8: IZMIR - CANAKKALE
Morning drive to Akhisar, Thyatira to see the remains of Basilica church. Proceed to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis of Helenistic Pergamum. Among its buildings are the Altar of Zeus and the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. After visiting the Asclepion, the earliest health center of Asia Minor. After lunch drive to Assos, where St. Paul rejoined his companions and visit Troas where St. Paul set sail to Greece. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 9: CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL
Morning visit the site of Troy, the homeric city and the local museum. Cross the Dardenelles by ferryboat to the European site. Driving through Galipoli, the battlefields of the First World War. Arrive to Istanbul for overnight.

Day 10 : ISTANBUL
Full day sightseeing in Istanbul in the old quarters of the city; Visit the Church of St. Savior in Chora famed with Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, Hagia Sophia, the oldest christian basilica for Ecumenical councils. Visit the circus maximus of Constantinople, the Hippodrome where chariot races were held in Roman times. After enjoying the beautiful tile decoration of the Blue Mosque. Visit the Topkapi Palace museum with its priceless jewelled objects and the Porcelain Collection. At the end of the day shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 : DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination or transfer to Turkish/Greek border to continue tour in Greece.

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