Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul 

• Welcome to Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia! Echoes of ancient empires blend with the pulse of a modern metropolis, and your Turkish adventure begins.
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul

• • Discover Istanbul’s iconic treasures:  Explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, marvel at the Blue Mosque‘s intricate tiles, and delve into Ottoman history at Topkapi Palace. Experience the blend of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage in this captivating city.
  • Visit the Chora Church (Kariye Museum), a stunning example of Byzantine art and architecture. Renowned for its exquisite mosaics and frescoes depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, deepening your understanding of Christian iconography.

• Flight to Adana

• Overnight stay in Adana.

Day 3: Antioch: Retracing the Footsteps of Early Christianity

• Embark on a journey through time to Antakya (Antioch), the cradle of the Christian faith where believers were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). 
• Stand within the hallowed walls of St. Peter’s Church, one of the world’s earliest cave churches. 
• Immerse yourself in the breathtaking Antakya Museum of Mosaics, its exquisite depictions unveiling the lives and beliefs of early Christians.  
• Follow the path of Paul and Barnabas to Samandagi (Seleucia Pereira), the ancient port from which they embarked on their first missionary journey to Cyprus, spreading the Gospel (Acts 13:4).  
• Overnight stay in Adana.

Day 4: Tarsus: Birthplace of St. Paul

• Journey to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Walk the streets where this influential apostle once lived, gaining insights into his early life and the roots of his unwavering faith. Explore historical sites and connect with the origins of his transformative journey.
• Bus trip to Cappadocia, filled with fairy chimneys, subterranean cities, and otherworldly landscapes. 
• Overnight stay in Cappadocia. 

Day 5: Cappadocia

• Delve into the heart of Cappadocia’s Christian heritage in Ürgüp and Göreme. Explore a network of hidden cave churches, meticulously carved from volcanic rock by early Christians seeking refuge and a place of worship. Witness stunning frescoes depicting biblical scenes, offering a glimpse into the faith and artistic expression of these communities.
• Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Konya (Iconium)

• Explore Konya (Iconium), a city visited by Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys. Witness sites where these apostles might have preached, spreading the early Christian message and facing both acceptance and opposition (Acts 14:1-5). Discover the rich legacy of their transformative visits to this ancient Anatolian city.
• Overnight stay in Konya

Day 7: Antalya

• Bus trip to Antalya, where sun, sea, and ancient history await, your launchpad to the Roman treasures of Perge and Aspendos.

• • Yalvac (Pisidian Antioch), where Paul delivered a powerful sermon recorded in the Book of Acts (Acts 13:14-50). Explore the legacy of his visit to this ancient city, a crucial stop on his first missionary journey where he preached the Gospel and established an early Christian community.

• Overnight stay in Antalya.

Day 8: Perge and Aspendos 

• Journey back in time to Perge and Aspendos on the Mediterranean coast, where Roman grandeur meets Biblical significance as you walk in the footsteps of St. Paul. Discover Perge, where Paul and Barnabas set sail from Paphos (Acts 13:13). Explore the impressive ruins of this ancient metropolis and imagine the apostles embarking on their transformative mission from its shores.
• Then, explore the heart of Antalya, where ancient and modern intertwine. Marvel at the imposing Hadrianus Gate, a Roman triumphal arch, and witness the graceful Grooved Minaret Mosque, a testament to the city’s rich Seljuk heritage.
• Overnight stay in Antalya.

Day 9: Colossae and Hierapolis (Pamukkale)

• Visit Colossae, a city steeped in New Testament history. Paul had not visited the church there but he cared deeply for them. (Colossians 2:1)
• Visit Pamukkale, Turkey’s “Cotton Castle.” Explore cascading white travertine terraces, soak in mineral-rich thermal pools, and discover the ruins of the ancient spa city of Hierapolis – a captivating blend of natural wonder and history.
• Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Day 10: Ephesus and Izmir

• • Bus trip to Ephesus. Walk the marble streets of Ephesus, where St. Paul preached and the legacy of the early Church echoes amongst the timeless ruins.
  • Discover the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site believed to be Mary’s final dwelling place. Experience the tranquility of this revered sanctuary nestled amidst the hills near Ephesus, a place of pilgrimage and reflection.
  • Explore the Basilica of St. John, believed to be built over the tomb of the Apostle John. Witness the remains of this once-grand Byzantine church and its enduring significance as a site of Christian pilgrimage near Ephesus.

• Visit Church of St. Polycarp, a revered martyr of the early Church. 

• Overnight stay in Kusadasi or Selcuk.

Day 11: Pergamum and Canakkale

• Bus trip to Pergamum (Pergamon). Discover its towering Acropolis, the healing sanctuary of Asclepion, and the enigmatic Red Basilica. Journey through time amidst the ruins of this influential ancient city. 
• Bus trip to Alexandria Troas, a coastal city visited by Paul during his missionary journeys.  It was here that he received a vision urging him to travel to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10), and later where he bid farewell to his companions before a significant journey (Acts 20:5-12).
• Overnight in Canakkale

Day 12: Troy

• Step into the legendary world of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Explore the archaeological site where myth and history intertwine, uncovering layers of civilization and a tale of heroes and a decade-long war.
• Ferry ride to Istanbul 
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 13: Flight back to the U.S.