CUSTOM TRAVEL PROGRAMS 
Five to Fifteen Day Itineraries
In the Footsteps of St. Paul ( 14 nights / 15 days )
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
We meet at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel located in the modern
city center, just a few steps away from Taksim Square. After check-in and time to relax until evening,
we meet again for a welcome briefing and orientation tour of the hotel area.
We proceed to Taksim Square where we finish our day with a walking tour of Istiklal Street.
Included meals: -
Hagia Sophia - Sultan Ahmet - Istanbul
Wooden Houses, Mansions - Bosphorus Strait - Istanbul
Ballooning - Cappadocia
Antalya - Old Yacht Harbour
Celsius Library - Ephesus - Selcuk
Sardis Antique Site
Day 2: Istanbul
We meet this morning and transfer to Sultanahmet for a full-day tour. Our day begins with a visit to the
ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center of Byzantine civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet
Mosque, more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling
of blue and white 17th century Iznik tiles.Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest
work of Byzantine architecture.
Our next stop is the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most ornate of several hundred ancient cisterns that
lie beneath the city of Istanbul. In its construction, columns and capitals of earlier temples were used,
providing a very decorative appearance. We finish the day at Topkapi Palace. Today it is a spectacular museum
with one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very famous treasury of
the Ottoman Sultans.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Istanbul / Adana / Antakya
After departing from Istanbul in the morning, we arrive in Adana where we then drive to Tarsus,
the birth place of St. Paul. A key early industry was linen cloth production, also used as a major
material for tent making, which was the main occupation of St. Paul. In this city full of cedar
groves it was also the meeting place of legendary lovers Antony and Cleopatra. Here we visit the
commemorative Cleopatra's Gate, St. Paul's Well, and St.Paul Church. After these visits we drive
to Antioch-at-Orontes for a good night's rest.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Antakya
This morning we depart Antioch-on-the-Orontes and head east to Daphne and Seleucia Pieria.
Founded in 300 B.C. Antioch played an especially important role in Christian history. 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. Our first stop is at the Archeology Museum which houses a superb collection of mosaics
from Antioch, Daphne, and Seleucia Pieria as well as St. Peter’s Grotto, the cave church which
came to be known as the meeting place of early Christians. Our next visit is to 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 the waters of the
Orontes River. Another highlight here is the rock tombs with their impressive facades of the
Hellenistic period.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Antioch / Cappadocia
After an early breakfast we drive north to Cappadocia. This area is renowned for its awe-inspiring
natural rock formations that were utilized for everything from housing, to churches, and even complete
underground villages. Our first stop will be to Pigeons Valley where we gaze out upon this weird and
wonderful landscape. Next we visit the Uchisar Fortress. With a breathtaking view of the surrounding
Cappadocia formations, this 60-meter high fortress was not built but carved out of a natural hill
dominating the area.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Cappadocia
This morning we visit Goreme’s open air museum which consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating
from the second half of the 9th century and later. Next we explore the remarkable underground city of Kaymakli.
Beginning in the 2nd century, as successive armies swept across Asia Minor, the resident of Cappadocia created
uniquely defensible communities by digging approximately eight stories down into the volcanic tufa stone. We
then drive to the small town of Avanos which is famous for its pottery and carpets. At the Avanos Handcraft
Center we learn about these regional crafts and may also see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. We
have ample time for shopping before we return to town in the early evening and have time at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Cappadocia / Konya
This morning we drive to Konya, one of the oldest cities in Anatolia. St. Paul visited this city during
his missionary trips. Arriving to Iconium, St. Paul and Barnabas went to the Synagogue and had many Greek
and Jewish converts. Here we visit the most famous monument in Konya, the Mevlana Tekke. It is the tomb
and shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the founder of the Mevlevi Order of Whirling Dervishes, and an
object of pilgrimage from all over the world. The tomb has also been converted into a museum which houses
items that belonged to Mevlana and other dervishes. After visiting the tomb of Mevlana, we visit the 13th
century Selcuk's era Buyuk Karatay Medresesi which houses a magnificent collection of tiles. Our final
visit is to the Alaeddin Mosque, the largest of the town’s Selçuk mosques. Finally we visit Ince Minare
Medresesi—the Medresseh of the Slender Minaret. The Medresseh is now a museum of stone and wood carving.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Konya / Yalvac / Antalya
This morning we depart Konya and drive to Psidian Antioch (Yalvac). Yalvac's history goes back to 3rd
century and this is where St. Paul opened Christianity to the world. During St. Paul’s time the population
was a mixture of Jews, Romans, and Greeks. Antioch played an important role in the life of St. Paul and in
the history of the Christian Faith. Very little is left of Psidian Antioch today. There is the propylaeum
of the acropolis with a number of carved stones and the remains of a Byzantine church. From here we drive
to Antalya for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Antalya / Perge
This morning we drive to Perge, which is the best example of a complete Roman city in the Pamphylian plain.
Perge developed from a Hellenistic hilltop settlement into a proper Roman city. Among the historical structures
the theater, stadium, city gates, avenues, agora and baths are interesting. St. Paul and Barnabas visited Perge
on their first journey on the way to and from Antioch. However, St. Paul and his friends did not stay in Perge
for long, as St. Paul got ill there. It is suggested that he contracted malaria and left to get away from the
marshy grounds of the south. We return to Antalya and visit the Archeology Museum which offers an exposition
on statues of various Greek gods, a stunning mosaic collection from Xanthos, extraordinary findings from the
Karain Caves, which date back to the Old Stone Age, as well as a comprehensive ethnographical collection.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Antalya/Myra
This morning we drive west from Antalya along the beautiful Turquoise Coast to the ancient city of Myra.
Myra was always one of the most important cities in Lycia. Here, many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook
the magnificent Roman theater. We also visit the tomb of St. Nicholas who was the bishop of this Mediterranean
city during the 4th century. Every year on December 6th, the Santa Claus (Father Christmas) Commemoration
Ceremony is held, attracting many tourists who spend their Christmas holiday on the sunny coast of ancient
Lycia.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Antalya / Laodicea / Pamukkale
On our way to Pamukkale this morning we stop for a visit to the ancient sites of Laodicea and Aphrodisias.
Although there is not much left other than the amphitheater and the monumental fountain which have been pretty
badly ruined, we visit the most southerly of the seven churches. The letter addressing the church in Laodicea
is the sternest of the seven letters, containing much reprimand but no praise. Although there is no mention of
heretics, persecutors and evil doers, the people of Laodicea are blamed for lack of wholeheartedness. Next we
arrive in Pamukkale. Pamukkale is one of the most interesting places in the world, justly famous not only for
the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formations, but also for its historic remains. It features a
shimmering white cascade, formed by limestone-laden hot springs. After visiting the legendary terraces of
Pamukkale, we check into the hotel and and enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Hierapolis / Philadelphia / Izmir
This morning we visit the ancient site of Hierapolis. During the Byzantine period this city became the seat
of a diocese with a large Christian Church dedicated to St. Philip, martyred here in 80 A.D. Hierapolis was
famed for its sacred hot springs. In addition to interesting Roman ruins, the site offers a thermal Sacred
Pool in which can one can swim with ancient artifacts, a view of the spectacular white terraces of Pamukkale,
and a good museum. Next we continue to the ancient site of Philadelphia. Attalos II, the king of Pergamum,
established the city by the Alasehir River for his brother Eumenes and named it Philadelphia, the city of
brotherly love. Philadelphia, together with Smyrna was considered as one of the most distinguished churches
out of the seven churches of Revelation about which nothing bad was mentioned by St. John. Next we come to
Izmir, the ancient Smyrna. The Christian faith in Izmir began with the activities of St. Paul who sent some
of his disciples there. A Christian church existed here from a very early time, and was one of the seven
churches addressed in the Book of Revelation.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Izmir / Ephesus
This morning we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the Ephesus archaeological site
which is perhaps the world’s best preserved ancient city and its ruins attract visitors from across
the globe. The most significant relic of the site is the immense amphitheater. We walk along the Sacred
Way, see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch, and
the Library of Celsius. Next we visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Mary came to Ephesus together with St.
John and was taken up to Panaghia Kapulu Mountain to survive the Roman persecutions. The chapel is built on
the foundation of the house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived. Our final visit of the day is
to the town of Selcuk where we visit the Ephesus Archeology Museum. Almost all of the exhibits are findings
from Ephesus, the most spectacular being two life-size statutes of Artemis Ephesia, both dating from the
middle Roman imperial era.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Izmir / Sardis / Thyatira / Pergamum
We begin this morning by driving to Sardis. Sardis was the capital city of King Croesus who was considered
the richest man on earth in ancient times. Sardis felt the influence of Christianity very early and was
included in the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Here we visit a Synagogue, Gymnasium, Byzantine Church,
and the Temple of Artemis. From here we continue with a visit to the ancient site of Thyatira. Although
Thyatira was the smallest and least important of the seven cities, the letter written to the church was
the longest of the seven letters. Thyatira was also the hometown of Lydia, a well-to-do purple dye merchant.
Evidently she had moved from here to Philippi for business. Lydia insisted on giving hospitality to Saint Paul
and his companions in Philippi. They stayed with her until their departure, through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
to Thessalonica. Pergamum ancient site. During the time of St. John’s letters, the city of Pergamum was one of
the most important cities of the 1st century. Much of Pergamum has been lovingly restored and is now considered
one of the primary ancient sites in Turkey. Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of
Pergamum’s acclaimed library—so large it rivals the world’s greatest library in Alexandria.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Return Home
After breakfast we transfer to the Izmir airport for the return flight to Istanbul.
Included meals: Breakfast
Prices ( per person in double room and in USD ):In the Footsteps of St. Paul ( 14 nights / 15 days ) Price Table
| 2 participants |
4 participants |
6 participants |
10 participants |
| $ 7,450.00 |
$ 4,410.00 |
$ 3,495.00 |
$ 2,870.00 |
Price of the package includes:
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Accommodation in hotels :
2 nights Istanbul: Central Palace
2 nights Antakya: Dedeman Antakya Hotel
2 nights Cappadocia: Yunak House
1 nights Konya:
3 nights Antalya: Divan Talya
1 night Pamukkale: Collosae
3 nights Izmir: Swiss Otel Grand Efes
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Domestic flights within our program itinerary (Istanbul-Adana, Izmir-Istanbul)
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Meals: 13 breakfasts and 4 dinners
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Services of a professional tour guide (private)
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Modern, A/C, comfortable minibus for land transportation and driver (private)
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Admission fees to sights and museums
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Parking, portage, ferry, toll road
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Gratuity (except guide & driver)
Price of the package excludes:
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Airfare of international flights and related taxes
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Bottled beverages or alcohol
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Optional gratuities to the guide and driver
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Travel insurance
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Visas, laundry, and personal items