Get immediate info for our deals and offers
7-Day Pilgrimage. A biblical encounter awaits on this epic journey that will see you visit Paul’s birthplace and walk at the same paths Paul walked, writing over half the New Testament.
A pilgrimage is a rare and privileged event. Every person of faith should make such a trip a priority in one's life. However, great care is needed to make sure the experience reflects the intent of the traveler. Without careful planning, advanced preparation and attention to details, the pilgrimage can fall short of expectations. On our Pilgrimage Tour of Turkey, let the Bible come alive as you traverse this unique region with our excellent English-speaking guides, comfortable, spacious buses, and wonderful food and accommodations. Anatolia, is where many of the events associated with Paul’s life and ministry took place. Paul was a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, one of our stops. From Antioch to Troas we will follow the routes traveled during his first journey by land. At each site we will explore the archaeological realia still remaining; in museums we will encounter the artefacts that the apostle saw and touched. As we visit sites, Paul’s First Journey will be brought to life, and with all arrangements in place, you’ll be free to simply absorb the content, let your senses take in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells, and reflect on a set of memories which will remain with you forever. Unearth the beginnings of Christianity as we trace the footsteps of Paul in Turkey. B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner. Where indicated. |
Departure on your way to Turkey, where you'll find the birth place of Paul and follow in his steps of his missionary journeys. Arrive Istanbul Airport where our representative will meet you after passport control. You will walk to the domestic airport and check- in to your Turkish Airlines for a short flight to Adana. On arrival we transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Adana is one of the largest and most dynamic cities in Turkey and situated 19 mi inland, Adana is the gateway to the Cilician plain.
Morning drive to Antioch, the place where Jesus followers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Here you will visit the Church of Peter, a cave church reputedly where early Christians met in secret. At the Antioch Archaeological Museum you will see one of richest collections of mosaics in the world. After lunch where you will taste Antakya’s famous dessert, künefe. After lunch in Antakya, drive to Cappadoccia via Cilician Gates in the Taurus Mountains. Dinner and overnight in Cappadoccia.
Today we spend a half day touring the fascinating region of Cappadocia. We visit Goreme Valley with its Troglodyte Churches and Derbe, visited three times by Paul. Paul and Barnabas spoke in Derbe and won many converts. visit both Zelve and Avanos with their red-coned monastic complexes and Kaymakli and its underground cities and churches. We lunch during our exploration. After lunch, visit Kaymakli Underground City. After tour, drive to Yalvac for overnight. Overnight in Yalvac.
Cappadocia a UNESCO World Heritage site with awesome geography where history and nature intertwines has been host to many civilizations throughout the centuries. The unique volcanic landscape of the region took shape as a result of the erosion of the volcanic layers which spread through the area with the eruption of Erciyes, Hasandag and Gulludag mountains about 60 million years ago.
After breakfast we begin by sightseeing in Konya (ancient Iconium), a city in which Paul and Barnabas used the synagogue as their forum. We then visit the museum complex of the Whirling Dervishes. which is also the site of the Mausoleum of Mevlana (Rumi). After lunch we drive to Antioch of Pisidia, the city where Paul preached his first recorded sermon and was later expelled. Among the ruins we also visit the remains of two basilicas. We continue drivin, finally arriving in Pamukkale (Hierapolis) for dinner and overnight.
Konya is a city in Anatolia which has protected its name for centuries. Legend says that Perseus killed a dragon that had been ravaging the town. The people set up a special monument to honor him, a stone obelisk with an icon of Perseus carved in it. This event gave the city it's name, Ikonyon, Ikonyum, Iconium.
Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" contains famous thermal hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the natural flowing water.
After breakfast, we visit Hierapolis with its necropolis, baths, theater and the site of the martyrdom of Philip. After lunch drive to the extensive ruins of Ephesus, one of the Seven Churches. Here we visit the theater where Paul preached to the Ephesians, the library, the Odeon, the Double Church where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431, and the Marble Road. We leave the ruins of the city proper to visit House of Virgin Mary. Our drive next takes us to Kusadasi where we dine and spend the night.
Upon greeting, transfer to restaurant for lunch. After lunch, tour of the famous Grand Bazaar where more than 4000 shops take place. After tour, return to hotel for dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and visit the monumental peninsula including masterpieces from old era. Hagia Sophia, an exceptional example of Byzantine architecture; the Blue Mosque which is covered by unique Iznik tiles; the Roman Hippodrome with Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Colunm which witnessed the most exciting races of the time and the Topkapi Palace, home of the royal treasury will be places to visit. Drop off to airport, after check-in process, our service ends here.
• Istanbul-Adana flight ticket
• Izmir-Istanbul flight ticket
• Transfers & tours indicated on the programme on private basis.
• 6 nights accomodations on 3* / 4* standard hotels.
• Breakfasts and dinners indicated in the programme at hotels.
• Lunches indicated in the programme at local restaurants.
• Professional licensed guiding throughout the programme.
• All entrance fees indicated in the programme.
• 1 soft drink at meals like ayran, coke, fanta, sprite – per person included
• International flights
• Visa Fee
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses