Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul: The Sacred Journey Begins
Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Settle in, rest, and prepare your heart for this spiritually enriching journey. Overnight stay in Istanbul. (D)
Day 2 – Istanbul to Adana: Echoes of the Ecumenical Councils
Morning: After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Istanbul’s Old City. We visit the historic Hippodrome and the breathtaking Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Next, we explore the grand Topkapi Palace, the heart of the Ottoman Empire.
Afternoon: Following lunch, we enter the majestic Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom), which stood for over a thousand years as the largest cathedral in Christendom and hosted crucial moments in early church history.
Evening: Transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Adana. Arrive in Adana for dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – Adana – Antioch on the Orontes – Adana: Where We Were First Called Christians
Morning: Depart for Antakya (Antioch on the Orontes). This sacred city is where the followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians(Acts 11:26). It served as the launchpad for St. Paul’s historic missionary journeys.
Afternoon: We visit St. Peter’s Grotto (Cave Church), a hidden sanctuary carved into the mountain where the early church met in secret. Afterward, marvel at the breathtaking Roman and early Christian mosaics at the Hatay Mosaic Museum.
Evening: Return to Adana for dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Adana – Tarsus – Cappadocia: The Birthplace of the Apostle Paul
Morning: We depart for Tarsus, the ancient metropolis where Saul (St. Paul) was born and raised. Here, we will visit St. Paul’s Well, located at the site of his traditional home, and pass through the ancient Cleopatra’s Gate.
Afternoon: We drive through the majestic Taurus Mountains via the Cilician Gates, tracing the path Paul took, as we make our way into the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia.
Evening: Arrive in Cappadocia for dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Cappadocia: Sanctuary of the Early Church Fathers
Full Day: Dedicate the day to exploring Cappadocia, a safe haven for early Christians fleeing Roman persecution. We visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a monastic valley filled with rock-cut churches and chapels adorned with beautifully preserved biblical frescoes.
Afternoon: Enjoy a panoramic walk overlooking Uchisar Castle and the Goreme Valley. Visit Pasabag (Monks) Valley, where early ascetics lived in hermitages, and the Pigeon Valley, finishing at the pottery town of Avanos.
(Optional: Spiritual Whirling Dervish ceremony or a traditional night in a cave restaurant). Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – Cappadocia – Ihlara Valley – Konya: Faith Underground
Morning: Descend into the depths of Derinkuyu Underground City, an engineering marvel where thousands of early Christians lived hidden underground to preserve their faith.
Afternoon: Hike through the stunning Ihlara Valley, a deep canyon hiding hundreds of early monastic cave churches decorated with ancient paintings. Afterward, stop at the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, a historic fortress-inn on the Silk Road, on our way to Konya.
Evening: Arrive in Konya (Antic Iconium), a city visited by Paul and Barnabas. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Konya – Pisidian Antioch – Antalya: Preaching to the Gentiles
Morning: In Iconium (Konya), we visit the Mevlana Museum to learn about the history of Sufi mysticism and its philosophy of universal love.
Afternoon: Drive to Pisidian Antioch (near modern Yalvaç). This is a monumental site where St. Paul delivered his first recorded sermon to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 13:14–52). We will explore the impressive ruins, including the foundational remains of the Basilica of St. Paul.
Evening: Continue through the scenic mountains down to the Mediterranean coast to Antalya (Ancient Attalia), the port from which Paul sailed back to Antioch. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Antalya – Perge – Aspendos – Antalya: The First Mission
Morning: We travel a short distance to Perge, the ancient Pamphylian city where Paul and Barnabas first landed in Asia Minor after sailing from Cyprus (Acts 13:13). Walk down the grand colonnaded streets where Paul once preached.
Afternoon: Visit Aspendos, home to the most spectacularly preserved Roman theater in the ancient world, where the early Church left its indelible mark.
Evening: Return to Antalya for a reflective evening walk by the historic old harbor. Dinner and overnight stay in Antalya. (B, L, D)
Day 9 – Antalya – Colossae – Laodicea – Pamukkale: Letters to the Churches
Morning: We depart Antalya on a beautiful 4-hour scenic drive to the Lycus Valley. We visit the unexcavated mound of Colossae, the ancient city to which Paul sent his profound Epistle to the Colossians.
Afternoon: Explore Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation(Revelation 3:14–22). Walk through its newly excavated streets, temples, and the magnificent ancient theaters.
Evening: Drive to nearby Pamukkale (Ancient Hierapolis). Take a moment to view the white calcium travertines. Dinner and overnight stay at a thermal hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10 – Hierapolis – Philadelphia – Sardis – Smyrna – Kusadasi: The Revelation Trail
Morning: Explore Hierapolis, where St. Philip the Apostle was martyred. We visit his Martyrium, the massive Necropolis, and the grand theater. Next, we drive to Philadelphia (Alaşehir), the church praised for its perseverance and brotherly love (Revelation 3:7–13).
Afternoon: Continue to Sardis, the wealthy capital of ancient Lydia. See the Temple of Artemis (which was later converted into a church), the grand Gymnasium, and the historic Synagogue. Sardis is another of the Seven Churches (Revelation 3:1–6).
Evening: Drive to Izmir (Ancient Smyrna), the persecuted church promised the “Crown of Life” (Revelation 2:8–11). After a short panoramic tour of the city, we proceed to Kusadasi for dinner and an overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 11 – Kusadasi – Ephesus – Miletus – Kusadasi: The Ephesian Ministry
Morning: Today is a profound highlight as we visit Ancient Ephesus, where Paul lived and preached for over two years (Acts 19). Stand in the great Ephesus Theatre where the riots against Paul took place. Visit the Library of Celsus and the Double Church, host of the Third Ecumenical Council in 431 AD.
Afternoon: Visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary on Mt. Koressos and the Basilica of St. John, where the beloved disciple is traditionally buried. Later, we drive to Miletus, where Paul gave his emotional farewell address to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17–38).
Evening: Return to Kusadasi for dinner and an overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 12 – Kusadasi – Thyatira – Pergamum – Alexandria Troas – Assos: The Macedonian Call
Morning: Early departure to Thyatira (Akhisar), the church warned about false teachings (Revelation 2:18–29). Next, we journey north to Pergamum (Bergama) to explore its breathtaking Acropolis, referenced in Revelation as the location of “Satan’s Throne” (Revelation 2:12–17).
Afternoon: We travel to the ancient port city of Alexandria Troas. It was here that St. Paul had his famous Macedonian Vision, seeing a man pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us”(Acts 16:9), changing the course of Christian history by moving the gospel into Europe.
Evening: Drive to the picturesque village of Assos (where Paul walked from Troas to meet his companions) for dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 13 – Assos – Troy – Istanbul: Crossing the Dardanelles
Morning: We depart early to visit the legendary ruins of ancient Troy, famously chronicled by Homer.
Afternoon: We cross the historic Dardanelles Strait by ferry or bridge and drive back along the Sea of Marmara coast to Istanbul.
Evening: Arrive in Istanbul for a celebratory Farewell Dinner, reflecting on the deep spiritual path walked over the past two weeks. Overnight stay in Istanbul. (B, L, D)
Day 14 – Istanbul to Home: The Journey Continues in Spirit
Enjoy some free time for reflection or last-minute shopping at the Grand Bazaar until your transfer to the airport. Board your flight back home, carrying the living spirit of the early Church and the footsteps of St. Paul in your heart. (B)
Price Includes
All boutique & religious heritage accommodations mentioned in the itinerary.
All meals specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
All biblical tours and transfers in private, air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches.
All museum and ancient scriptural site entrance fees.
Services of a professional, licensed English-speaking biblical guide.
Price Excludes
Personal expenses.
All flight tickets (domestic and international flights can be recommended and booked upon request).
Gratuities/Tips for your spiritual guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
