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 gardens and proceed to the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet 1 built in 1616, famous for its unparalleled ceramic tile work. Dinner and overnight.

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. We will visit the underground city of Kaymakli where thousands of early Christians lived concealed from persecutors in eight story complexes of subterranean dwellings. We will enjoy the picturesque views of this ancient and historic land as we make our way to our hotel. We enjoy dinner and a restful overnight in Cappadocia.

Early in the morning you may experience an optional Hot-Air Balloon Ride. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most fanciful and recognizable landscapes. During the Balloon Ride take in a unique panorama with fairy-tale chimneys in the light of dawn.

Following breakfast we will visit the famous Goreme “open-air museum,”. Goreme with its chapels carved by early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th and 10th centuries is an unforgettable experience. Continue on a short drive to the Uchisar Castle which is the panoramic watching point Cappadocia.

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 (Acts 16:2) and probably third journeys. 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 some time 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.

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.

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.

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 Asclepion, the ancient medical center for the Greeks. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast transfer to Izmir airport for your flight/s to Medjugorje. Upon arrival to either Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo airport. Upon arrival, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver, who will take you on the 2.5-hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the evening.

The most beautiful features of Medjugorje are its simplicity and peace. While in Medjugorje, you may experience your faith grow and will share in the faith journey of pilgrims from all over the world. A local guide will accompany your group throughout your stay in the village.

Some activities that will accompany you in your spiritual journey:

Attend Daily Mass: Each morning at 10:00 AM, your group will assemble at St. James Church for Mass (English-speaking). At the end of each Mass, regardless of language, there is a blessing of religious articles pilgrims can attend.

On Feast Days and Sundays: English Mass is at noon.

Climb Apparition Hill: This mountainous hill is where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. At the base of this hill is a Blue Cross, where Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the alleged apparitions. While climbing, pilgrims are invited to recite the Rosary, pausing five times for each decade of the Rosary. At the top of the hill is the exact location of the first alleged apparition of Our Lady. Enjoy private time for prayer in this Holy place.

Climb Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain): In 1933, the villagers built a 30-foot high cross atop the mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. You will have the opportunity to climb this mountain and venerate that very cross. While climbing, pilgrims pray the Stations of the Cross to meditate on Jesus’ suffering Road to Calvary, pausing fifteen times for each Station.

Apparitions: Each evening at 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM, depending on Daylight Savings Time), your group can join the villagers and fellow pilgrims of Medjugorje at either St. James Church or Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appears to the Visionaries. There you can pray the Rosary as you all await that time (5:40 PM or 6:40 PM during Daylight Savings Time). Afterward, Croatian Mass is held at St. James Church and is free for all to attend. It is simultaneously broadcasted over the radio to translate the services from Croatian into many languages. Following the Croatian Mass, there is a Blessing of the Sick.

**For details about the Visionaries, please visit: www.206tours.com/visionaries

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Lady has always called us to be close to her Son. In response to her call, pilgrims have the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament at the altar outside of St. James Church. Adoration is on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Veneration of the Cross is on Fridays inside the church. Additionally, there is an Adoration Chapel on the grounds of St. James Church, where Adoration is held in the afternoon.

Visit the Community of Cenacolo: Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the Community of Cenacolo, founded by Sr. Elvira Petrozzi, for young men and women who have taken the wrong path and are on the road to recovery. You will be able to listen to their inspirational testimonies about their journeys back to Jesus Christ.

Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: The bronze statue of the Risen Christ is located on the grounds of St. James Church. Many pilgrims sit and pray on the benches surrounding this peaceful statue. This statue miraculously seeps droplets of water continuously throughout the day out of Christ’s right knee.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we leave by motor coach for Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo Airport for our return flight(s) home.

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