Depart USA for your overnight flight to Istanbul. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board. Be sure to take some time to meditate about the life-changing journey upon which you are embarking.

Upon arrival in Istanbul Airport, you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by our tour escort and/or driver. You will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. Attend a welcome briefing. Dinner and a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, we begin our full day of the old City with a guided tour exploring the ancient city including the magnificent Topkapi Palace (main residences of Ottoman Sultans) and the Byzantine Hippodrome that was the scene of chariot races. Around the corner we will visit St. Sophia Basilica, historic seat of the Byzantine church, built in 360 AD and now a museum whose mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes have been crafted to create an environment of breathtaking beauty. Enjoy a short walk-through garden and proceed to the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet 1 built in 1616, famous for its unparalleled ceramic tile work. Dinner and overnight.

Visit the ancient sites of Iznik town, once ancient Nicaea, famous as the host of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, and location of the 1st and 7th Ecumenical Councils.

Iznik also served as the capital of “Empire of Nicaea”, as a political and cultural center for 50 years during the Sack of Constantinople when Constantinople was in the hands of the Fourth Crusade.

Following breakfast, travel to Nicaea and visit Hagia Sophia Nicaea, the Iznik Tile Kilns, the Amphitheatre of Nicaea and the ruins of the church of Koimesis. Nicaea was where the first ecumenical council of the Christian church was held. 2025 will be the 1700^th Anniversary of the world’s first ecumenical council.

Following breakfast, we will visit the Galata Tower and Bridge. In the Galata district many Catholic Churches are located. We will visit The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, the most prestigious Catholic Church in Istanbul, originally built on this site in 1725, but was demolished in the early 20th Century, in order to make way for a tramway. The church was rebuilt by the architect, Giulio Mongeri and completed in 1912. Celebrate Mass. Following lunch visit The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is a historic parish of the Georgian Greek Catholic Church in the district of Bomonti of the Istanbul district of Şişli. We also will stop by SS Peter and Paul is a Catholic church in Istanbul, important for historical reasons. The church owns an icon of the Virgin of the Hodegetria type, which originally lay in a Dominican church in Caffa, Crimea. Ending our day with a visit of the Grand Covered Bazaar, a maze of streets and shops aroma and sounds of old Turkey. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

This morning, we will take a short flight to Kayseri and visit the “moon like” topography and unique landscape of Cappadocia. Derinkuyu Underground City–Explore one of the most extensive underground cities used by early Christians as a refuge. Cavusin Village–Visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the oldest churches in Cappadocia and explore the scenic rock formations and other small churches in the village. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Rides (if we can’t make it a day before) to See the Stunning Geography of Cappadocia. Visit Goreme and Surrounding Churches. Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise) Make sure to see the frescoes here. Buckle Church (Tokalı Kilise)–Known for its detailed depictions of biblical scenes. Apple Church (Elmali Kilise)–Known for vibrant frescoes ,Church of St. Barbara–Unique frescoes combining Christian and Central Asian motifs. El Nazar Church–A short walk from the museum, this fairy chimney church has distinct frescoes. St. Basil’s Church–Located in the Goreme Museum, a simpler yet historical church dedicated to St. Basil. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Rides  (if we can’t make it a day before). Ihlara Valley and Nearby Sites , St. George Church (Kirk Dam Alti Kilise)–Known for its pilgrimage history and detailed frescoes, Snake Church (Yilanli Kilise)–Features a fresco of St. George and the dragon. Agacalti Church (Church Under the Tree)–Notable for its depiction of Ascension. Sumbullu Church (Hyacinth Church)–Striking frescoes and views of the canyon.

Monastery of St. Nicholas , near Guzelyurt, offers insight into early Christian monastic life. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Rides (if we can’t make it before), on leaving for Konya, visit Uchisar Castle. This afternoon we drive to Konya. Paul and Barnabas visited the city on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:51-14:7). Here they preached in the synagogue and then the city. Paul revisited the city on his second journey (Acts16:2) and probably his third journey as well. In the center of the modern city of Konya, directly on the hill on which the ancient Iconium was located stands the Church of St. Paul, built in 1910 by the Sultan for the numerous Catholic workers on the Anatolian Railway. Dinner and overnight in Konya.

After breakfast we drive to Pisidian Antioch .The history of Pisidian Antioch goes back to sometime between 310-280 BC. The first Biblical reference to this city is Paul’s mention of it in Acts 13:14-16 as the synagogue from which he preached his first recorded sermon during his first missionary journey. We continue to Pamukkale, the white Cotton Castle formed by lime cascades. Enjoy a leisurely bath in the warm mineral waters of your hotel’s thermal pools before dinner and a restful night sleep.

Today we will enjoy a full day excursion and visit the ancient City of Hierapolis meaning “Sacred City,” Philip the Evangelist’s home. Tour the extensive necropolis, churches and baths. We continue with a scenic drive to Laodicea located in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, a primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East. “The “lukewarm” church with a faith that’s neither hot nor cold” (Rev. 3:14-22). Continue to nearby Colossae, which is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. Return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

Our day starts with visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev.3: 12). Continue onto Then Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead”(Rev. 3: 1-6). Sardis, located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Asia Minor. “The church of Sardis is described as dead, and it must wake up. We continue on to Thyatira, known for its textiles and dyeing trade. It is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar. It is “praised for its increasing faith and service” (Rev. 2:18-29) Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Ephesus, which was the most influential capital city of Asia Minor on the Aegean Sea. “Ephesus receives praise for its perseverance” (Rev. 2:1-7). You will explore some of the best-preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. We then visit the House of the Virgin Mary which was miraculously discovered hidden on a wooded hilltop. A pilgrimage site for many which has also been accepted by the Vatican. Finally visit the Basilica of St. John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation). Continue on to Izmir were our day ends with dinner and overnight.

We wake up in the modern Turkish city of Izmir. In ancient times “Smyrna”, as it was called, was in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. Visit the archeological remains of the Agora. The Agora in Izmir is an ancient Roman marketplace located in the heart of the city. It was originally built in the 4th century BCE and later expanded by the Romans. The site features impressive ruins, including colonnaded streets, a large courtyard, and the remains of various public buildings. The Agora served as a central hub for commerce, politics, and social activities in ancient times. Today, it stands as a significant historical site and a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring Izmir’s rich history and ancient architecture. Continue to Pergamum, located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. The city, is “praised for its martyrdom and perseverance but those who hold false teachings are criticized” (Rev. 2:12-17). Here you will see the Acropolis famous for Greek & Roman Temples as well as the unique Greek theatre built into the steep hillside. Also visit the Asklepion, the ancient medical center for the Greeks. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home to the USA.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.