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Itinerary: |
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Follow
the footsteps of St. Paul in Asia Minor by D&K
DAY 1 ISTANBUL
TO ANKARA
Welcome to
Ankara Esenboga Airport, the
capital of young & modern Turkey, Ankara's history and that of the
surrounding area dates back to the Bronze Age and the Hatti
civilization. Deren Koray Tourism staff will be waiting for you at
the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. Welcome cocktail is
for getting acquaintance with Ankara and brief information for this
special trip. Dinner will be held at hotel in the heart of the city
[D]
DAY 2
ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
(Galatia:
Galatians; Acts 16:16, 18:23)
We’d like to start
our tour with the impressive modern form of
Ataturk's Mausoleum where
ancient and modern architectural concepts testifies to the power and
grace of Turkish architecture took place.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
with its priceless collection of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti,
Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Roman artifacts, For lunch we’ll
pass to Byzantine Ankara Castle for traditional Zenger Pasha
Restaurant. Then we’ll proceed for Roman Baths with its Roman
structure remain. Temple of Augustus and Rome await your exploration.
Our journey is straight to
Cappadocia where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the
natural moonscape surroundings. In the afternoon visit Agzikarahan
and the skirt of the natural citadel of Uchisar, an informative
quick local tour for this region and a small lecture about forming
the natural fairy chimneys will be given here, then arrive at hotel
and check-in. Dinner will be served at hotel. [B] [L] [D]
DAY
3 CAPPADOCIA
Today we’ll start
to explore Goreme with
Derinkuyu Underground City.
Ready to get lost in 8 layer of this hidden city? You’ll see miles
of tunnels and grape-treading areas in this lighted city. See the
deceitful pathways and hidden corners to fail the enemy of this city
that were used by the early Christians in order to defend themselves
from the persecution. Next stop will be Göreme Valley where you’ll
walk thru the pathways and tunnels among the fairy chimneys and
visit the churches having gorgeous frescoes dated back 11th to 12th
century and many more. Zelve Open
Air Museum offers the visitors just a culture & nature parade,
then we’ll proceed Avanos
where the most popular handicraft is made, have the chance to try
your hand at making a pot in one of the many studios as well as
weaving and knotting. Lunch at one of the restaurants at (don’t be
surprised by the new name of the area) Bill Clinton’s Valley and
after the president’s place we’ll proceed for Uchisar Castle and
we’ll visit a local Doyurgan winery. Dinner at in the middle of
cones and fairy chimneys at Karakus Restaurant in a very traditional
with its unlimited entertainment and splendid regional cultural show
including Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Turkish folk dance with
banquet with the traditional way in
Urgup. Join one of the folk-animation in here! [B] [L] [D]
DAY 4
CAPPADOCIA – TARSUS – ADANA
(Tarsus:
Acts: 9:11, 30, 11:25, 21:39, 22:3, 25-29)
In the morning
we’ll depart for Tarsus
situated East of Mersin,
on the edge of fertile Cukurova Plain, 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 thru which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra
passed when they came to Tarsus to meet, an ancient church, and the
Ottoman Ulucami. You’ll get the feel of bygone days by walking thru
narrow streets past old houses to find St. Paul’s well. En route
Eski Gumus Monastery and arriving Tarsus. Visiting the birthplace of
St. Paul and in order to make this trip spiritual, drink the holy
water at that point. Today’s journey will end at
Adana the 4th big city in
Turkey. Check – in at hotel located in the heart of the city. [B]
[L] [D]
DAY 5
ADANA – ANTIOCH – SELEUCIA PERIA
(Antioch: Acts
6:5, 11:19-20, 11:26, 13:1-3, 15:1-2, 22-25),
(Seleucia
Peria: Acts 13:4)
In the morning
we’ll depart for the holy city
Antioch which lies on
the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile plain surrounded by the grant
mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, it was notorious
for its wealth and luxury In Roman times, the city continued to
thrive with commerce and culture. It featured prominently in early
Christianity and St. Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter all visited &
preached here. Apostles’s The New Testament Book of Acts that
declaring Jesus’s followers were called Christians, caved church
where St. Peter first celebrated mass. You’ll enter Antioch thru
actual gate called Iron Gate situated at southbound of the church.
In 1983 the church was declared a holy site by Vatican. Just feel
the spirit of the Saints walked thru these streets at that time. A
little has changed here. Time to visit Roman mosaic Museum that is
considered one of the best in world. After a break for lunch we’ll
drive to the resort town with a pristine beach.
Seleucia Peria (Cevlik),
north of town, was founded around 300 B.C. and by the time St. Paul
and St. Barnabas made their first missionary journey (45-46 A.D.)
that was a busy port. The most interesting monument to see is the
Tunnel of Titus, built to divert-rain water. Even by today's
standards it is a tremendous engineering achievement. We'll proceed
for Kapisuyu village for the spectacular panorama from the Zeus
Temple of the ancient harbor, sandy beach and fertile plain. Return
to Adana. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 6
ADANA – KONYA
(Iconium: Acts
13:51, 14:1-6, 19, 16:2, 11 Timothy 3:11)
Depart for Konya via Karapinar
and Meke Crater Lake where you can see the splendid view of natural
monument, arrive in Konya that one of Turkey's oldest continuously
inhabited cities was known as Iconium in Roman times ranking as one
of the great cultural centers of Turkey. Konya is the capital of the
Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th century. We’ll visit the
mausoleum of Mevlana who was the founder of the whirling dervishes,
Konya's most famous building, Karatay Medrese (College) displays
bold and striking Seljuk ceramics, whirling dervishes monastry of
13th century, Ince Minareli Medrese and Archaeological Museum is the
last visit for today. Dinner at Sifa restaurant for regional dish,
pide & ayran [B] [L] [D]
DAY 7
KONYA – PISIDIAN ANTIOCH – PAMUKKALE
(Pisidian
Antioch: Acts 13:14-52, 11, Timothy 3:11)
Today’s program
will start with Pisidian
Antioch where St. Paul changed world history as he started to
explain the Christianity to the pagans. Visiting the church of St.
Paul, the Roman Bath, Temple of Augustus and the museum. Proceed
for Pamukkale magical and
spectacular natural site, unique in the world, that declared a world
heritage site by UNESCO, arriving Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is a
fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring
waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge
have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and
basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their
therapeutic powers. Dinner at Kelleci Kardesler or Mantar Restaurant
serving delicious regional food. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 8
PAMUKKALE – IZMIR
(Hierapolis:
Colossians 2:18, 4:13, Colossae: Colossians),
(Laodiceia:
Revelation 3:14-22), (Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11)
In the morning
we’ll explore Hierapolis where the Martyrium of St. Phillippe
located behind the theatre. En route visit Laodicea Church, one of
the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation as well as
Philadelphia and Sardis. Time to pop in Philadelphia then we’ll
proceed for the ruins of ancient Sart (Sardis), once the capital of
the Lydian realm of Croesus, lie on the Sart Cayi (Pactole River).
Here the first coins were minted. Arrive at
Izmir. (Home stay in Izmir is
your Choice) [B] [L] [D]
DAY 9
EPHESUS
(Ephesus:
Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7, Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41, Ephesians)
First visit of
today will start with in Ephesus
once the commercial center of the ancient world is a highlight of
Turkey. The third Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus in 431
under Emperor Theodosius II (grandson of Theodosius the Great). 200
Bishops were present here. Ephesus was dedicated to the goddess
Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times. St. Paul and
St. John preached here!. Heracletes Gate, Curates Street, Scholastic
Baths, Celcus Library, Marble Road, Great Theater, Arcadian way, (Harbor
Street), The Basilica of St. John,
Virgin Mary’s House
that was visited by both Pope VI Paul and Pope Jean Paul. The
museums in Selcuk region will be interesting and informative. After
Ephesus, we’ll depart for Selcuk and typical Turkish Village Sirince
and here we’ll taste the vine & gozleme cooked by wooden flame and
we’ll return to Izmir, arrive at night. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 10
MANISA – AKHISAR – BURSA
(Thyatira:
Revelation 2:18-29, Acts 16-14)
In the morning
we’ll pass thru Manisa
preserving several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman
architecture, en route Akhisar, Thyatira one of the Seven Churches
of the Apocalypse, mentioned by St. John in the Book of Revelation,
visit the church of Thyatira. Later we’ll stop over at Susurluk
having the regional sandwich containing Mihaliç cheese with its
foamy ayran. Proceed to Bursa
that was the first capital of Ottoman Empire. Arrive at Bursa, check-in
at hotel and we’ll meet for shopping at Grand Covered Bazaar that is
famous for its silk, embroidery, towels and hand made Islamic
ornaments. Bursa is famous for its thermal springs as well, in order
to get rid of the tiredness of entire journey we strongly recommend
you to take the advantage of this natural treatment in a very
traditional way in Turkish Bath. Tonight we’ll invite you to have a
traditional Turkish Doner Kebap
(Gyro) at Kebapci Iskender who is professional about his cooking
style since 1867. The rest of the night is yours. Enjoy your stay.
[B] [L] [D]
DAY
11
BURSA – IZNIK – ISTANBUL
Bursa is known as
Green Bursa in Turkey. Today you’ll have the chance to explore the
masterpiece of Ottoman Empire Ulu (Grand) Mosque where 3 religious
were fabulously blended onto the building, Green Mosque, Green Tomb,
continuing Iznik, (Nicaea)
famous for its china & tiles in Turkey. Nicaea is really important
place for Christians since the two Ecumenical Councils were held
here - The First Ecumenical Council of 325 Under Emperor Constantine
the Great with 318 Bishops and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787
Under Empress Irene with 367 Bishops. The Green Mosque and the
museum will be visited in here as well. Later on we’ll depart for
Istanbul, the paradise of two continents, transfer to hotel located
in the center of the city and check–in. [B] [L] [D]
DAY 12
ISTANBUL
Today’s full day
excursion will start with one of the landmarks of
Istanbul the
Blue Mosque famous for blue
and white Iznik tiles built between 1609-1616. We’ll proceed for the
ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of
Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space. The Basilica of
St. Sophia, one of
the finest buildings of all time built by Emperor Justinian now
Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s Mosque. Exploring the majestic serenity and
the fine Byzantine mosaics of the building. Lunch at Konyali one of
the well known restaurants in Topkapi. Time to visit
Topkapi Palace having the
galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of gorgeous crystal,
silver and Chinese porcelain of Ottoman era. Visit Harem, the
secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and children of the
sultan, charms visitors, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by
the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury
and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts.
Finally we’ll depart for gorgeous
Grand Bazaar having
over 4000 shops inside. Ready to get lost? Go on then. At night
we’ll join informative light & sound show in the front of Blue
Mosque and a farewell dinner was held at one of the best restaurants
in Istanbul [B] [L] [D]
DAY 13
END OF OUR SERVICE
After breakfast,
we’ll transfer you to Ataturk Airport. Time to have your present in
order to make this trip memorial. It’ll be a great pleasure to host
you in Turkey again since there are so many things to see. Thanks
for choosing the right agency. [B]
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