Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul. ( D )
Welcome to Istanbul. We meet you at Istanbul Airports and transfer you to your Hotel located in the Old City area-Sultanahmet. According to your arrival time you can either check in to the hotel and relax or join our orriantation walking tour around the Hippodromme Square.
Dinner in a restaurant at Sultanahmet
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 : Adana and Tarsus Tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel, We go for Tarsus.
İt takes 30 minutes to drive Tarsus ,You will watch nice agricultural fields of Cukurova on the way.
It is an ancient city, on the alluvial plain of ancient Cilicia, the birthplace of St. Paul (Acts of the Apostles 22:3). We Visit :
St. Paul's Well is in a courtyard long believed to be the site of St. Paul's house.
The Tarsus Museum contains artworks of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, Roman and Byzantine coins, baked soil pots, and metallic materials.
TheCleopatra Gate, in western Tarsus on Mersin road, dates to around 40 BC. In the upper part of Sağlıklı Village, 15 km from Tarsus, are the remains of a Roman Road.
Lunch at a restaurant near the lake of Adana.
Stone Bridge built in part during the 6th-century reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, the oldest extant bridge in the world which is still in use.
Adana Central Mosque This recently constructed mosque has an immense capacity of over 28,000, and is the largest in Turkey, with the highest dome. Brand new in style, it has six minarets and lies next to the Girne Bridge. Much of its financing was from the Sabanci family, originally from the area and now the second richest in the country.
Overnight in Adana
Day 3 : Antakya Tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel,we drive to Antakya which is believed to be the place where the word "Christian" was first pronounced by St. Peter in the famous cave church. Antioch was the headquarters journeys of St. Paul. It was the third largest city of the Roman Empire, rivaled only by Rome and Alexandria. St. Peter, St. Paul, Barnabas and Timothy all preached in this place where Jesus followers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). This town is now a rich blend of Arabic and Turkish cultures.
Visit the Antakya Mosaic Museum, reputed to house to be the second largest mosaic museum and the finest collection of Roman Mosaics in the world.
Lunch in a local restaurant in near to Harbiye Water falls .
A visit to St. Peter Church which is the first church of the world, Visit the Harbiye Waterfalls were formed by the tears Apollo shed when he saw his beloved transformed into a tree. Today at Harbiye, women who covet the beauty of Daphne buy the oil of the laurel and the soaps manufactured from its leaves.
Dinner at a restaurant on the shores of Adana lake.
Overnight in Adana
Day 4 : Cappadocia Underground City tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we set off forcentral Anatolia to the volcanic region of Cappadocia and visit of :
Kaymaklı Underground City
It is contained within the citadel of Kaymaklı. First opened to tourists in 1964 . The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. Each space is organized around ventilation shafts. The tunnels and underground rooms are still used today as storage areas, stables,winery, living areas, cellar and cave churches.
Lunch in Goreme at a local restaurant.
Pigeon Valley
It is near the village of Uchisar and named for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rocks. The rock formations, combined with awe inspiring views are not to be missed.
We stay in a Cave Hotel.
Dinner in a Cave Restaurant.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 5: Cappadocia - Volcanic area and Churches Tour. (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel ,We depart for a Volcainc area tour with our guide.We visit :
Goreme Open Air Museum,It’s the most famous attraction, for good reason, a complex of several painted cave-churches carved out by Orthodox monks between 900 and 1200 AD.
Uchisar CastleThe naturalrock citadelofUçhisar is the tallest point inCappadocia, visible for a great distance from the region's other towns such as Urgup and Avanos
Lunch in a cave restaurant and we taste local pottery Kebab
Avanos on the banks of the Red River inCappadocia is all aboutpottery-making. You can see pottery being made, and even take a pottery-making class and make some yourself.
PasabagiThe best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha's Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
Devrent Valley, The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
Dinner in Goreme Valley in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Cappadocia in a cave hotel.
Day 6 : Ihlara Valley , Konya and Sultanhani Caravansarai Tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel,We depart early in the morning for Konya.
We will travel to Cappadocia's scenic Ihlara Valley, where early Christians carved some 3,500 cave churches from the tufa rock.
The beauty and quaintness of these chapels, with numerous wall paintings and Christian symbols, is astonishing. Persecuted Christians - tens of thousands of them - escaping into the earth to flee Arab invaders in the tenth century, tunneled out more than twenty underground cities of refuge here in Cappadocia. Such cities, with carved rooms for kitchens, sleeping quarters, stables, and chapels for worship, descend five to ten stories into the earth.
Lunch in the small village of Belisirma in the very center of Ihlara Valley on the shores of Melendiz river.
Visit of Sultanhani Caravansarai which is the best examples of Selcuk Caranvansaraies built in 13’th century on the Historical Silk trade road. Depart for Iconium where St. Paul preached and encouraged believers during his first missionary journey (Acts 14:1-6).
Visit of Mevlana Museum Dervish houses and the Sultan Selim Mosque dating back to 16’th century.
Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight in Konya
Day 7 : Psidian Antioch and Laoedikeia Tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel, We drive to Pisidian Antioch, where nearly the whole city came to hear St. Paul preach during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:14-52). The marvelous excavations include the ancient church and the great first-century Temple of Augustus. Today, we will travel the Royal Road that once connected Ephesus with distant Babylon.
Lunch in a local restaurant in Pamukkale.
Visit the excavated site of ancient Laodikeia- Lykum was founded on the south bank of the Lykos River (Aksu) by Antiochos II in the mid 3rd century BC and flourished into early Byzantine times. It was an important early Christian city and had a large Jewish population. The site covers 2.5 square km. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev 3:14-16)
Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight in Pamukkale
Day 8 : Pamukkale and ancient city of Hierapolis tour (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel,Our day starts with the discovery of the Hierapolis with its largest Necropolis of the ancient hellenistic world, Roman basilical baths , Domitian gate, latrines, Agora, collonaded street and Byzantine gate and Roman fauntains.
Lunch in a local restaurant in Pamukkale.
In the 5’th century, several churches as well as a large martyrium dedicated to St. Philip.
We go for the Thermal pools and have 1 hour to enjoy hot pools.Than walk to the travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins.
Drive to Kusadasi and check in a delux hotel.
Dinner at a restaurant around Kusadasi Harbour.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 9 : Ephesus , House of the Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John (B,L,D)
Ephesusis considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey. Ephesus Tour starts from the upper entrace gate. Ancient city has 3 main streets .We see the Baths of Varius , Odeon, Prytaneion, Fauntain of Polio,The Gate of Heracles ,State Agora, public toilets, Temple of Hadrian , Temple of Domitian , Library of Celsus, Great Theater and Horbour street with necropolis.
Lunch in the old Village of Sirince, open menu lunch or Sish- Kebab.
Than visit of Temple of Artemis , St. John's Basilica was built in the 6th century AD, under emperor Justinian I over the supposed site of the apostle's tomb. It is now surrounded by Selcuk .
Dinner at a restaurant in Kusadasi or at the Hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 10 : Sardes, Philedelphia and Izmir (B,L,D)
After having breakfast,We Continue to Alasehir Alasehir is a small town of about 40,000 people with narrow winding streets and a Byzantine wall. Few ruins remain at the site of ancient Philadelphia. Philadelphia is praised for having little strength but still persevering. Those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are actually of the "synagogue of Satan," will be judged. (Rev.3:7-13)
Drive to Sardes, ancient capital city of the Lydians and the visit Church of Sardes. Sardis Synagogue ,Temple of Artemis, Byzantine Church The church of Sardis is described as dead, and it must wake up. However, there are some who have not "soiled their clothes."Rev.3:1-6)
Lunch at a local restaurant araoun Sardes.
Izmir is the 3rd largest city in Turkey, with 2.5 million people. It is known as the " Pearl of the Aegean" and is one of Turkey's most Westernized cities.’’ Smyrna's message speaks of false Jews and impending persecution, but encourages perseverance which will be rewarded. (Rev.2:8-11),’’
Dinner in downtown Izmir or at the Hotel.
Overnight in Izmir
Day 11 : Pergamon and Bursa (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel ,We drive to Pergamon early in the morning to see High City –Acropolis with the Sanctuary of Trajan & Athena, Library, The Hellenistic Theater with a seating capacity of 10,000.
Lunch in downtown Bergama in a faily restaourant.
Than we drive 3 km down from hill to see Asclepion which was known as the first place of medical science.Notable structures in theAsclepieion include the Roman theater ,Stoa, Temple of Asclepius, an underground passageway .
Visit Red Basilica of Pergamon, described as having the throne of Satan (the Zeus altar?), is praised for its martyrdom and perseverance but those who hold false teachings are criticized. (Rev.2:12-17)
Drive to Bursa .
Dinner at a famous Iskender Kebab Restaurant.
Overnight in Bursa
Day 12 : Bursa and Iznik (B,L,D)
After having breakfast at the Hotel,We Visit;
Bursa, the land of silk, was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire and birthplace of modern Turkish culture. The mosques, like Yesil Cami ( Green Tomb) and Ulu Cami, are some of the most important and beautiful inthe country. The country's first ski resort was built on the mountain of Uludag, lying to the south of the city.
Koza Han, which means the "Silk Cocoon Market", is located at the back of Koza Park where many nice outdoor cafes can be found.Koza Han was built in 1491 by sultan Beyazit II. It was both used as a caravanserai and a silk market because Bursa was the last stop on the great silk road from China. Since 1491, the han has remained the center of the silk industry and trade. The han is composed of an inner courtyard surrounded by two stories of shops. Every year in June and July, silkwork farmers bring sacks of white cocoons which are ready for spinning.
Lunch in a local Iskender Doner Kebab house.
Iznik is a small town in northwestern Turkey, on the eastern shore of Lake Iznik. It is the modern successor of the important Byzantine city of Nicea (or Nicaea), where the famous Council of Nicea was held in 325 AD.
Visit Ruins of the 4th-century St. Sophia Church, where the Second Council of Nicea met in 787 AD to resolve the Iconoclastic controversy.
Drive to İstanbul and Check in Hotel in old city Area – Sultanahmet.
Dinner in a Fish restaurant.
Overnight in a restaurant
Day 13 : Old City Tour in Istanbul (B,L,)
After having breakfast at the Hotel, Our guide meets you and We start our day trip around 09:00 am
We see how old meets new when you visit Istanbul's five "must-see" historic sites.
The sites include :The Hippodrome (At Meydani) ,Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Grand Bazaar
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Tour Starts from the heart of the old city Turkish: Sultanahmet Meydanı, At Meydanı, was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are visited.
Blue Mosque
One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
Hagia Sophia
Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.
Lunch in a Kebab house in Sultanahme
Grand Bazaar
In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets.Visit of Carpet Center and art demonstration
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14: Bosphorus Cruise Half day tour . (B,)
We leave the hotel with our guide after breakfast at 09.00 am.
Discover the rest of Istanbul with full-day sightseeing tour including Bosphorus boat cruise.
Golden Horn is an inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming a natural harbor.One can see the old city and Galata tower panoramicly while cruising from
Spice Bazaar is located close to water front nearby theYeni Mosque. This is a bazaar where you can find numerous kind of spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds and also many other things.(Closed on Sundays)
Bosphorus Cruise through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.
Rumeli Fortress can be seen from the sea It is located on a hill at the European side of the Bosphorus just north of the Bebek district . It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452, before he conquered Constantinople. There are three great towers dominant to the Bosphorusis one of the most popular highlights of İstanbul . Beautiful settings and the plesant breeze adds to the pleasures of a boat trip. Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara
Overnight in Istanbul or return flight to home country.
