In The Steps Of St. Paul With 7 Churches Of Asia Minor, Nicea & Cappadocia 10 Nights / 11 Days

Day 01 Istanbul Arrival Day

Welcome on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time for leisure.  Overnight: Istanbul

Day 02 Istanbul

Your day begins with a guided tour exploring one the most famous churches of Byzantine Empire time which is the Chora Church with magnificent mosaics depicting the Biblical scenes in a chronological order. Then continue onto ancient city tour with highlights to include: The magnificent Topkapi Palace (main residences of Ottoman Sultans) then walk across the Byzantine Hippodrome that was the scene of chariot races. In the afternoon we visit Saint Sophia Basilica, historic seat of the Byzantine church, built in 537 AD and now a museum whose mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes have been crafted to create an environment of breath taking beauty. A short walk through gardens takes us to the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet built in 1616 that is famous for unequalled ceramic tiles. Overnight: Istanbul.

Day 03   Antioch – Adana

A short morning flight to Antakya begins a full day tour taking you past hilltop Crusader castles and the port of Alexandretta (now called Iskenderun) to Antakya, site of ancient Antioch (Acts 6:5; 11:19‐30; 13:1‐3; 15:1‐2 & 22‐ 35.) Here we visit the cave church where St. Peter led worship, sponsoring church of Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journeys. You also see a world‐class museum of Roman mosaics from nearby ruins before returning to Adana for overnight. Overnight: Adana

Day 04 Adana- Tarsus, St Paul’s Well‐ Cillician Gates ‐ Cappadocia

Begin the day visiting the birthplace of St. Paul, Tarsus (Acts 9:11, 30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3.) where you may drink from his well. Drive through the beautiful Taurus Mountains to the Anatolian Plateau. Continue to Biblical Cappadocia, famous for unique landscapes, underground cities as well as towns carved from the region’s soft volcanic rock. En route we visit to the 13th century Seljuk Caravan Inn of Agzikarahan. Overnight: Cappadocia

Day 05 Cappadocia

A full day touring the ʺmoon‐likeʺ topography and unique landscape of Cappadocia. Goreme with its Chapels carved by early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th and 10th century is an unforgettable experience. Visit the underground city of Derinkuyu or Kaymakli where thousands of early Christians lived concealed from persecutors in eight story complexes of subterranean dwellings. Visit the pottery making village of Avanos and the Byzantine monastic complex of Zelve before returning to our hotel to enjoy the picturesque views of this ancient and historic land. Overnight: Cappadocia.

Day 6 Cappadocia‐ Iconium

Enjoy a morning drive across the rolling steppe , en route we stop by  13 th  century Selchuk Caravan Inn,arrive at Konya (Iconium of the Bible) to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana (an unusual and ecstatic Muslim sect) then continue to another Biblical town of Asia minor to see the Lystra nearby . Overnight: Konya or Cappadocia

Day 07 Konya, Antioch in Psidia ‐Laodicea ‐ Pamukkale

We drive towards South then West approaching the Taurus mountains ;on the way we visit Pisidian Antioch  where St. Paul passed in his first journey Departure to Laodicea to gain an understanding of the ʺneither hot nor coldʺ water (Rev. 3:14‐22; Col.2:1; 4:13‐16.) one of the seven churches of Asia Minor in the book of revelation. Next we continue to Pamukkale which means ‘cotton castle’. The white cliff is the formation of mineral springs. We also visit Greco ‐roman settlement Hierapolis which used to be one the most popular health‐spa during the roman time. This was Philip the Evangelistʹs home. We tour the extensive ruins of the city then enjoy a leisurely bath in the warm mineral waters of your hotelʹs pool. Overnight:  Pamukkale

Day-08 Pamukkale‐Philadelhia‐Sardis– Kusadasi via Smyrna (Izmir)

This morning  we drive visit Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7‐13) referred to as the New Jerusalem and then we continue to Sardis , one of the other Seven Church of Asia Minor where you can see a roman era Synagogue and a very well‐preserved gymnasium .  Then we will proceed to Izmir (Smyrna), the third largest city of Turkey. Overnight: Kusadasi

Day 09 Izmir –Ephesus‐ Miletus‐ Kusadasi

This morning’s first drive to Miletus where he called the elderly Ephesians to the theatre to give one of his most influential sermons .Next  drive crossing fertile valleys to Ephesus, home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 AD, to explore an unforgettable expanse of Greco‐Roman and Christian remains (Ephesians: Rev 1:11; 2:1‐7; Acts 18:19‐ 28; 19:1‐4.)  Tour the nearby Virgin Maryʹs cottage on a wooded hilltop. Finally we stop at the restoration of St. Johnʹs Basilica, where he was first buried. For evening we continue to Izmir (Smyrna, Rev 2:8‐11) Homer’s birthplace on the Aegean Coast. Overnight:  Kusadasi.

Day 10 Pergamum – Thyatira‐Alexandria Troas‐ Troy‐Canakkale

First drive north to Akhisar (Thyatira) mentioned in the book of Revelation by St. John, see the ruins of the early Christian basilica, a colonnaded road and a large church. Then continue on to acropolis of ancient Pergamum, Afternoon visit to Alexandria Troas is another important spot to where St.Paul walked from Ephesus. Continuing north we tour the legendary walls, buildings and a replica of the famous wooden horse at Troy where Greek and Trojan heroes fought for the honor of Helen. Overnight: Canakkale.

Day 11 Nicea‐ Istanbul

After breakfast we drive through the fertile valleys of Marmara and next drive along the sea of Marmara to Bursa and Nicea to see the St Sophia Church of City where the 1st and 2nd Ecumenical Councils were held. Overnight: Istanbul

Day 12 Istanbul Departure Day

Departure for Istanbul airport and our services end here.

Daily departures available.  Please call 1-800-417-3880  for more information or e-mail us at info@flotours.com .

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Land only

Number of Persons	Price (Per person in Double room)	Single Supplement
2	$3,215	$795
4	$2,185	$795
6	$1,835	$795
8	$1,655	1$795
10	$1,555	1$795
12	$1,495	1$795

All transportation in air-conditioned vehicle

• 11 nights hotel accommodation in 5 * hotels Daily breakfasts and dinners
• Professional English-speaking guide throughout
• Entrance fees to museums
• All local taxes and service charges
• Flo Tours Travel Documentation Kit

• International flights
• Visa fee
• Travel insurance
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Extra drinks with meals
• Tips for your tour guide and driver

ISTANBUL	HOL INN
ISTANBUL	HOL INN
ADANA	HILTON
CAPPADOCIA	ANCA CAVE SUITES
CAPPADOCIA	ANCA CAVE SUITES
KONYA	DOUBLE TREE
PAMUKKALE	COLLOSAE
KUSADASI	CHARISMA
KUSADASI	CHARISMA
CANANKKALE	PARION
ISTANBUL	HOL INN