St. Paul Journey in Turkey Tour

St. Paul Journey in Turkey Tour

Istanbul, Adana, Tarsus, Alanya, Antalya, Pamukkale Laodicea, Hierapolis, Ephesus, Izmir, Philadelphia, Smyrna Thyateria, Pergamon, Troy, Gallipoli, Tour
St. Paul Journey in Turkey Tour
( 11 Nights - 12 Days)

DAY 01 : ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul Airport and meet for transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure (as per your flight arrival time) Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 : ISTANBUL CITY TOUR
08:30 Meet in the hotel lobby for departure on the full day regular group tour to visit The Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace (excluding extra entrance to Harem room), Hippodrome & Obelisk and the Grand Bazaar. At the end of the tour return transfer to hotel with the evening at leisure Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)

DAY 03 : ISTANBUL ADANA ANTAKYA
Breakfast at hotel, check out and meet for transfer on to Istanbul Airport.

08:20 Departure on the domestic flight from Istanbul to Adana.

09:55 On arrival meet with your PRIVATE tour minibus with driver and guide to begin the next few days touring. After check-in to the hotel we move on to visit ancient Antioch, also known as Antakya,

Biblical References : Acts 6:5, 11:19-20, 11:26, 13:1-3, 15:1-2, 22-25

which lies on the Orontes River in a fertile plain surrounded by mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid Kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury. It featured prominently in early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter all visited & preached here. You’ll enter Antioch through the actual gate called Iron Gate situated at the South of the church. In 1983 the St. Pierre Church was declared a holy site by the Vatican. The day also includes a visit to the Mosaic Museum that is considered one of the best in world. Late return to Adana with dinner at the hotel, evening at leisure Overnight in Adana. (B,L,D)

DAY 04 : TARSUS ALANYA ANTALYA
(Biblical References for Tarsus : Acts: 9:11, 30, 11:25, 21:39, 22:3, 25-29)
In the morning we depart for Tarsus situated East of Mersin, and known as the birthplace of St. Paul. Of ancient origin, the city was invaded and destroyed on several occasions and only a few monuments of particular interest remain: The Cleopatra Gate through which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra passed when they came to Tarsus to meet, St Paul’s Church and the Ottoman Ulucami. You’ll get the feel of bygone days by walking through narrow streets past old houses to find St. Paul’s Well. En route to Tarsus we can also make a stop at the Eski Gumus Monastery. After visting in Tarsus proceed to Alanya. Along the way you'll see Korykos Island & the Kizkulesi, the symbol of the Eastern Mediterranean. Arrival to Alanya, check-in to hotel and evening at leisure (LONG DAY)
Overnight in Alanya (B,L,D)

DAY 05 : ALANYA ANTALYA PERGE
Today we drive from Alanya towards Antalya. Enroute we will visit the famous Aspendos Theatre, the ruins of ancient Perge, the ancient city of Side. Check-in, evening at leisure Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)

DAY 06 : PAMUKKALE
Today we depart for Pamukkale, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO and where you will find the natural formation of the travertens. Here you will also find the ruins of Hierapolis (Biblical Ref: Colossians 2:18, 4:13) and visit Laodicea (Revelations 3:14-22), one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelations. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,L,D)

DAY 07 : PAMUKKALE IZMIR
Drive from Pamukkale on to Selcuk where we will start with a visit to the Ancient City of Ephesus (Revelations 1:11, 2:1-7, Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41, Ephesians). This city was once the commercial center of the ancient world and is one of the most famous highlights of Turkey. The 3rd Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus under Emperor Theodosius II (grandson of Theodosius the Great) at which 200 Bishops were present. Also during the day we will make visits to the Basilica of St. John, House of Virgin Mary’s & Artemis Temple. After touring we make our way to Izmir for check-in to the hotel.
Overnight in Izmir. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 : IZMIR
Today visit Izmir City with the St Polycarp Church, Bayrakli which was originally established in the 3rd Millenium BC, Alexander the Great’s Velvet Castle & Agora from whre you can have spectacular views of Izmir Bay, the Ethnography Museum where you can find simply everything related to the Turkish Culture as well as the culture of the Aegean people. Time also for strolling through Kemeralti area and its bazaar with many historical buildings such as churches, mosques, ancient shops, fountains, etc. Overnight in Izmir.

DAY 09 : IZMIR BERGAMA
After breakfast and check out, depart to visit the ruins of Thyatira (founded by the Lydians), Sardes (wealthy capital of the Lydian Empire) and Philadelphia (important for the spreading of thought patterns and activities of the Hellenistic civilisation and christian faith). Our day will end on arrival to Bergama (Biblical References: Thyatira Revelation: 2:18-29 Acts 16:14, Sardes Revelation: 3:1-6, Philadelphia Revelation: 3:7-13). Overnight in Bergama. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 : CANAKKALE
Today we'll depart for Canakkale after having visited the ruins of Pergamum which include the Acropol, Asclepion and Theatre. We’ll go via the coastal route and a stop at the “Seytan Sofrasi” near Ayvalik can be included for some panoramic views over the land and sea. Just before reaching Canakkale we will make a visit to legendary Troy. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 : CANAKKALE ISTANBUL
Breakfast, check out and then cross the Dardanelles by car ferry to visit the Battlefields and Memorials of Gallipoli. Arrival to Istanbul in the late afternoon, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)

DAY 12 : ENDS
Breakfast, check out and as per your international flight time transfer to Istanbul Airport.

ITIENARY & PACKAGE RATE INCLUDES
Accommodation :
-03 nights in Istanbul 4* hotel
with breakfast (historical city centre)
-01 nights in Adana 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Alanya 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Antalya 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Pamukkale 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-02 nights in Izmir 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Pergamum 3* hotel
with breakfast and dinner
-01 nights in Canakkale 4* hotel
with breakfast and dinner

Sightseeing Tours :
-01 full day regular group Istanbul Sightseeing Tour which includes guiding in english, main entrance fees to sights, lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra), tour transport
-09 days PRIVATE touring starting from arrival to Adana Airport ending on arrival back to Istanbul from Canakkale and includes the following services:
*English speaking Professional guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
*A/C tour minibus with driver, fuel, road tolls and parking fees
*Main entrances to sights visited during the tour programme
*Lunch on each day at local restaurants (drinks extra)
*Guide and drivers accommodation, meals (tips not included, for your own discretion)
Domestic Flight Tickets:
-One way flight from Istanbul to Adana using Turkish Airlines, economy class incl taxes
Transfers:
-All required transfers between the hotel and airport in Istanbul.

PACKAGE RATE
2815 Euro
Per person based on 02 adults during the private
touring section, valid for travel April till October.

2050 Euro
Per person based on 04 adults during the private
touring section, valid for travel April till October

1785 Euro
Per person based on 06 adults during the private
touring section, valid for travel April till October