Eleven days on the roads associated with Paul, joined to the seven letters and to Cappadocia. The route includes Tarsus, the church and well linked to his name, Antioch on the Orontes and the church of St Peter, Antioch of Pisidia, Konya and the Mevlana museum as a stop on the plateau, the seven churches, and the valleys of Cappadocia. It begins and ends in Istanbul.
Hotels are arranged for the nights below. Names and class are confirmed in your proposal, not here. Meals that are included are listed in that same proposal.
The route
- 1
Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapı.
- 2
Flight toward the south. Tarsus: the church and well linked to Paul, Cleopatra’s Gate, the Roman road.
- 3
Antioch and the church of St Peter, then the road back toward the plateau.
- 4
Cappadocia: Göreme, Uçhisar, an underground city, Devrent and Paşabağ.
- 5
Across the plateau by Sultanhanı. A stop for Lystra’s name, and Konya.
- 6
Antioch of Pisidia, then Pamukkale: Hierapolis, the terraces, Laodicea.
- 7
The letters of the Maeander: Philadelphia, Sardis, Ephesus, the house remembered for Mary, the basilica of John.
- 8
Smyrna and Polycarp, Thyatira, the Red Basilica and Pergamon.
- 9
Alexandria Troas and Troy, then back toward Istanbul.
- 10
Istanbul again: the Bosphorus, Chora, the Grand Bazaar if the hours allow.
- 11
Departure.
Day by day
-
Day
1
Overnight · Istanbul
B
L
D
- Arrive at Istanbul International Airport
- Meet and greet with the local guide at the airport
- Departure for the city tour
- Visit the Blue Mosque, photo stop at the Hippodrome
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Visit the St. Sophia Museum
-
Day
2
Overnight · Adana
B
L
D
- Transfer to Istanbul Airport
- Fly to Hatay
- Arrive at Hatay Airport
- Visit St. Peter Church
- Visit the Antioch Archeological Museum
- Departure to Adana · 200 km, 2.5 hr
-
Day
3
Overnight · Cappadocia
B
L
D
- Departure to Tarsus · 45 km, 1 hr
- Visit St. Paul's Church and Well
- Photo stop at Cleopatra's Gate
- Visit the Roman Road (the ancient road)
- Departure to Cappadocia · 210 km, 3 hr
-
Day
4
Overnight · Cappadocia
B
L
D
- Optional: hot air balloon tour
- Departure for the Cappadocia tour
- Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum
- Photo stop at Uçhisar Castle
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Visit the Underground City
- Visit Devrent Valley and Paşabağ Valley
- Pottery, carpet and Turkish jewellery workshops
- Optional: Turkish night show
-
Day
5
Overnight · Konya
B
L
D
- Departure for Konya · 240 km, 3.5 hr
- On the way, photo stop at the Sultanhanı Caravanserai
- Visit Lystra
- Departure to Konya · 53 km, 1 hr
- Visit the Mevlana Museum
-
Day
6
Overnight · Pamukkale
B
L
D
- Departure for Antioch of Pisidia · 170 km, 2.5 hr
- Visit Antioch of Pisidia
- Departure for Pamukkale · 225 km, 3 hr
- Visit the Hierapolis ancient city ruins and the Cotton Castle
- Visit Laodicea
-
Day
7
Overnight · Kuşadası
B
L
D
- Departure to Philadelphia · 90 km, 1.5 hr
- Visit Philadelphia
- Departure to Sardes · 50 km, 1 hr
- Visit Sardes
- Departure to Selçuk · 145 km, 2.5 hr
- Visit the House of Virgin Mary
- Visit St. John Basilica
-
Day
8
Overnight · İzmir
B
L
D
- Departure for Ephesus · 20 km, 30 min
- Visit Ephesus Ancient City
- Visit the leather factory and enjoy the fashion show
- Departure to İzmir · 80 km, 1.5 hr
- Visit Smyrna: St. Polycarp Church
- Visit the Agora of the ancient city
-
Day
9
Overnight · Ayvalık or Akçay
B
L
D
- Departure to Thyateira · 140 km, 2 hr
- Visit Thyateira
- Visit the Red Basilica
- Visit the Acropolis of Pergamon
- Proceed to Ayvalık · 65 km, 1 hr
-
Day
10
Overnight · Istanbul
B
L
D
- Departure for Alexandria of Troas · 136 km, 2.5 hr
- Visit Alexandria of Troas
- Departure for Troia · 35 km, 45 min
- Visit Troy Ancient City
- Departure to Istanbul · 330 km, 6.5 hr
- Terminating at the hotel, overnight in Istanbul
-
Day
11
B
L
D
- Departure for the city tour
- Bosphorus cruise with a private yacht
- Visit the Spice Market
- Visit the Kariye Museum
- Visit the Grand Bazaar
- Free until departure
- Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
