Religious and Recreation Trail Double Occupancy $ 2,695.00 (Code: TY84). Single Occupancy $ 2,995.00 (Code: TY85)Available from April 01 to October 31 for Group of 2-3 Persons. Discount for Large Groups. "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”. (Acts 11:25 -26). This trip covers all unique locations. From legendary Troy – Trojan horse to the Seven Churches of The Revelation, from Tarsus to Antioch.Praying in Martyrium of St. Philip in Hierapolis Ancient city, visiting the first church in the world, The Church of St. Peter, in Antioch. Includes hotel accommodation at below-specified hotels, domestic flights, all meals specified in the itineraries (B: breakfast L: lunch D: dinner), air-conditioned minibus or bus depending on the size of the group, English-speaking guide, baggage handling at hotel and airport, entrance fees to the museums, service charge and V. A. Tax. ITINERARY Day 1: Istanbul Arrival. Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.( D )
Day 2: Istanbul. After breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City' where we will visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque – turned museum, takes the breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome. After lunch we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury and the priceless Chinese porcelain. (B, L, D)
Day3: Istanbul / Canakkale. After an early breakfast, we will began our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WW1. Following a lunch break, we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, landin Asia and proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, Troy is in fact nine cities super imposed one upon another. Troy VI pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Archilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side and Priam. Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We will check-in our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Canakkale /Pergamum / Izmir. After breakfast drive to Izmir. This morning we will stop by the hauntingly beautiful city of Pergamum. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000-volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health center where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. On our way to Izmir, we will stop by Thyteria to see the remains of the church. This was one of the principle towns where Christianity spread quickly. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Izmir / Ephesus / Pamukkale. On our way to Pamukkale, we will stop by the famous city of Ephesus. 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 as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was located here. Ephesus, as you will see is in a very good state of preservation and the overall existing view of this ancient city will make it evident that she was a wealthy cultural and commercial center in the past. St. Paul's preaching in the area resulted with the conversion of the Guild of Silversmiths and eventually the whole population of Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the Brothel and the Theater. We will also stop by the House of the Virgin Mary close by, where she is reputed to have spent her last years and died. You will be able to collect some holy water from the Sacred Spring. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Pamukkale / Antalya. After breakfast we will visit Hierapolis which was founded by Pergamon king Telephos of Pergamon and named after his wife Hiera. Most likely, the very large Jewish element in this city was an important factor in the rapid expansion of Christianity. During the Byzantine period the city became the seat of a 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. Continue to Laodicea Ly cum where the remains are found on a flat-topped hill. Christianity came to the area during the time of St. Paul, brought by Epaphras of Colossae. Laodicea became the seat of the Bishopric and hosted, an important Ecumenical Council in the fourth century A.D., it was named in the Revelations as one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Highlights will be the Water Tower, Stadium and the Council Chamber. Lunch will be by the side of Salda Lake, Turkey’s deepest Lake. We then continue a long and scenic journey towards the sparkling turquoise coast. Dinner and over night in Antalya. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Antalya (Perge- Aspendus - Cruise). After breakfast a drive to the ruins of Perge, northeast of Antalya. This is where St. Paul began preaching after arriving from Cyprus. Highlights are the Gymnasium, the Bath, the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium and the Hellenistic Gate. Another one of the Pamphilian cities is Aspendus. The Theater is the best preserved in the world with incredible acoustics. After lunch we board our private boat for a relaxing cruise along the Antalya coast. Overnight in Antalya. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Antalya / Konya /Cappadocia. Early morning we will drive to Psidian Antioch (Yalvac) where St. Paul introduced Christianity to the world. Yalvaç'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 Psidian Antioch today. There is the propylaea of the acropolis with a number of carved stones and the remains of a Byzantine church. Then continue to Konya, or ancient Ìconium which became an important Christian city following St. Paul's preachings. A Phryigian legend says that Konya was the first city to be founded after the flood. St. Paul and Barnabas came here in 47 A.D. and their preaching was accompanied by many miracles. St. Paul made two more stops here on his second and third journeys. Today's Konya is quite new but the center of the city is very old. Drive to Cappadocia and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Cappadocia. Today we visit the incredible underground city of Kaymakli where early Christians lived secretly in order to survive and keep their faith. Souvenirs will be given at the Valley of the Birds and at the foot of the Uchisar Castle. Then we proceed to the Goreme Valley to visit the rock-carved churches hollowed out of volcanic ash. Lunch will be at Avanos Village followed by the famous local pottery and carpet shows allowing ample time for shopping in the afternoon. Also time will be allocated for the local souvenir shopping before returning to the hotel for dinner. In the evening Belly Dance and Folkloric show at the Cave Restaurant. Overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Cappadocia / Adana /Antakya. After breakfast drive to Antakya via Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. During St. Paul's time Tarsus was a university city surpassing Athens and Alexandria. Cicero was a governor here in 51- 50 BC and the romantic meeting between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony took place in Tarsus. Highlights here will be St. Paul's well, tomb of Sardanapulus and Cleopatra's Gate. Check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Antakya. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Antakya / Adana /Istanbul. Today we journey east to Antioch-on-the- Orontes, Daphne and Seleucia Pieria. Antioch is thought to have been founded in 300 BC. Among all the cities in the world of the first century AD, Antioch offered the most fertile ground for new ideas, philosophies and religions. First to preach here was St. Peter, followed by St. Paul and Barnabas whose extensive efforts proved to be very fruitful for Christianity. Incidentally, the word “Christians” was first coined in Antioch. The strong and wealthy community of Antioch contributed financially to the Christian community of Jerusalem. Highlights include the museum which houses a superb collection of mosaics from Antioch, Daphne and Seleucia Pieria, St. Peter's Grotto, and the cave church which came to be known as the meeting place of the early Christians. According to the legend, ancient Daphne was the sacred grove where Apollo tried to rape a nymph of the same name whom Eros struck with an arrow thus making her incapable of loving neither a god nor a mortal. Apart from being dedicated to Apollo, Daphne was also a place of carnal pleasures and any soldier caught in the area was dismissed from service. The next site we will visit today is Seleucia Pieria which was the port city of Antioch in ancient days. The most interesting monument here is the Tunnel of Titus which is a tremendous canal dug for the purpose of diverting waters of the Orontes river. Another highlight here will be the rock tombs with their impressive facades pertaining to the Hellenistic period. Drive to Adana Airport for flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Istanbul Departure. Free until transfer time. Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Lines for flight to home. (B).
For specifically interested parties, the program may include one day visit to Patmos, where St. John wrote the book of Revelation. Our quotes do not include domestic air fare. Air fare is ( per person - one way ) US$ 125.00 for Adana / Istanbul HOTELS TO BE USED:
Istanbul - Seminal Hotel or similar (4 star)
Canakkale - Tusan Hotel or similar (4 star)
Izmir - Anemon Hotel or similar (4 star)
Pamukkale - Lycus River Hotel or similar (4 star)
Antalya - Antalya Hotel or similar (4 star)
Cappadocia - Perissia Hotel or similar (4 star)
Antakya - Buyuk Antakya Hotel or similar (4 star)
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