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| ITINERARY |
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| Day 1 |
Arrive Ankara
Arrive Ankara, meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Ankara.
Breakfast |
| Day 2 |
Ankara- Cappadocia
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast visit Anitkabir (The Mausoleum of Ataturk) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. After lunch, we will drive through Galatia where once St. Paul and St. Peter traveled. The continue along the Salt Lake to Cappadocia. On the way, stop at Agzikarahan Caravanserail. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner
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| Day 3 |
Cappadocia
After breakfast, depart from your hotel for a tour of one of the most amazing parts of Cappadocia. On this full day tour you will visit: Devrent Valley and Zelve Open Air Museum which was once home to one of the largest communities in the region. An amazing cave town honeycombed with dwellings, religious and secular chambers. We continue with Monk's valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos and then explore the Goreme Open Air Museum a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Depart for a panoramic view of Goreme from Esentepe and then on to Uchisar, a natural rock castle. After the visits, we will drive back to our hotel. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 4 |
Cappadocia
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast, depart from your hotel to begin this exciting daily excursion with a 4km hike through the Rose Valley. There are some beautiful formations with hidden churches carved from rock. Afterwards, we take a visit to the old Christian village of Cavusin, one of the oldest settlements in the area which has been largely eroded and partially collapsed. Part of the village has risen in tiers on the slopes of the cliff. At the top, the Basilica of St John the Baptist offers panoramic views of the village. Stop for lunch in Pigeons Valley and then continue on to see the marvelous construction that is the Kaymakli Underground City, the widest underground city in the Cappadocia region. You will also visit the Ortahisar Natural Rock Castle, a 90m high naturally formed castle and prominent landmark in the region. Stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner
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| Day 5 |
Cappadocia- Tarsus- Adana
After breakfast, check-out our hotel and depart for Tarsus. Our first stop will be made at Gumusler Monastery dating back to 11th. Century; where you can see the frescoe of ‘Smiling Mary’. After lunch, we drive via famous Cilician Gates on Taurus Mountains where once famous kings, Saints and Prophets passed. Arrive in Tarsus in the afternoon, visit excavation sites of ancient city dating back to the time of Paul. Paul’s well can be seen here and drawn water with a bucket. Stay overnight in Adana.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 6 |
Adana-Antakya
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, we drive a beautiful route known as Coa Plain in the Old Testament. We see the battle-field of Issus from the bus. Arrive at Antioch; the city where the disciples were called "Christians" for the first time (Acts 11:26). We will visit St. Peter's Church – the first Church in the world; Antakya Museum of Mosaics, the most impressive one of this kind, second biggest mosaic museum in the world. In the afternoon, a brief coach ride to Samandagi (Seleucia Pereira), the port from where Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus on their first journey (Acts 13:4). After visits, we will return back to Adana.Stay overnight in Adana.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 7 |
Adana-Konya
After breakfast, check-out and drive to Konya. Before arrival to Konya, our bus will drive up to Goksu where Frederick Barbarossa was drowned when he was leading Crusader’s Army. Next we will stop at Lystra, a Biblical City where Paul and Barnabas worked some miracles. Arrive in Konya (Iconium) where Paul and Barnabas were threatened by being stoned (Acts 15:5). We will visit St. Paul Church. Mevlana (Jelaladdin Rumi) Museum is also to be visited. Stay overnight in Konya.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 8 |
Konya- Yalvac- Antalya
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, we depart for Antalya. On the way, a visit to Yalvac (Pisidia in Antioch), a town where St. Paul stayed for quite a long time and used it as a base while spreading Christianity in the region (Acts 13:14-50). Then we will continue to Antalya, arrive the city, check-in hotel. Stay overnight in Antalya.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 9 |
Perge- Aspendos
After breakfast, a visit to Perge, where St. Paul and Luke stayed long enough to preach and talk with people on their return from Antioch (Acts 14:25). Then we visit Aspendos, one of the most well preserved ancient sites in Turkey. In the afternoon, those who wish, may come to the Archeological Museum (One of the finest) or explore the cith on your own.Stay overnight in Antalya.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 10 |
Colossae- Laodicea- Hierapolis
After breakfast, we check-out hotel and drive Colossae which Paul did not visit but sent a letter saying "to the Saints and faithful brothers of Christ who are at Colossae; grace be on you, and peace from God and Jesus Christ" (Colossians 1:2). Then continue to Laodicea, last of the 7 Churches which received letter from St. John. Then proceed to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis Ancient City, the center of Epaphra’s work (Colossians 4:13) when Paul was writing to strengthen his preachment. A visit to the white chalk cascades of Pamukkale. Stay overnight in Pamukkale.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 11 |
Philadelphia- Sardes- Smyrna
After breakfast, check-out our hotel and drive to the beautiful town of Philadelphia (Alasehir in modern). Visit the Church of St. John, and read the letter of John written to this very Chuch. After lunch, continue to Sardes. Now it is the time to see one of the greatest cities ever built, where money (coin) was first minted by the Lydian Kings. Visit the Church, where we will read the letter of the Revelation sent to this Church. Also we will visit one of the biggest and oldest ancient Synagogues of the world which is still in a perpect condition. After visits, drive to Izmir. Stay overnight in Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 12 |
Ephesus
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast we will make a day trip to Ephesus. First visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. There were previous temples on this site, where evidence of a sanctuary dates back as early as the Bronz Age. We then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire, ranking behind Rome. A definite must while in Turkey. Not to be forgotten is the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. According to belief Mary may have spent her last days here. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years her spreading the Christian faith. Basilica of St. John will be also visited on this day. After tour, transfer back to Izmir. Stay overnight in Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 13 |
Thyatira-Pergamon-Assos
After breakfast check-out hotel and drive to Thyatira, one of the 7 Churches. Then proceed to Pergamon, that became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic Period. Here you will be delighted to visit the Asclepion and Health Centre which was a famed ancient medical center built in honor of Asklepios, the god of healing. It was also the world's first psychiatric hospital. As you make your way to the acropolis, the Red Basilica, originally a temple of Serapis, can be viewed. The most spectacular structure is certainly the theatre, a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside. After lunch we will continue to Assos, where we will spend the night. Stay overnight in Assos.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 14 |
Alexandria Troas-Ancient Troy-Bursa
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast we will drive to Alexandria Troas where Paul had begun his journey to Greece. We will continue with the most legendary city of Troy. After lunch we will continue to Bursa, once the capital of Ottoman Empire. Stay overnight in Bursa.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner |
| Day 15 |
Bursa-Iznik-Istanbul
After breakfast, a short visit to the monumental Mosque and its famous silk bazaar in Bursa. We will continue to the famous town of Iznik (Nicea). This is the town where Nicean Creed was established in 325 A.D. during the first Ecumenical Council. As we are standing inside the very Church of St. Sophia; we will read out the Creed where it was first read. After visiting other ruins in the town, we continue to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul, check-in our hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch |
| Day 16 |
Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul. Firstly we visit Chora Church, the magnificent Hagia Sofia, famous in particular for its massive dome. It was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 A.D. The Hippodrome; the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi still survive. We then continue to the Blue Mosque, which owes it’s name to the exquisite tiles adorning it’s interior, and the famous Grand Bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. After lunch we visit the amazing Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign from 1465 to 1856. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch |
| Day 17 |
Full Day Bosphorus Cruise with two Continents
Breakfast is served at the hotel. In the morning we take a brief visit to the fascinating 17th Century Spice Bazaar which is one of the oldest bazaars in the city full of spices, nuts, dried fruits, seeds and lokum (Turkish delight). Located in Eminonu, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. We then embark on our ferry for a breathtaking cruise along the Bosphorus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. After lunch, we drive across the first Bosphorus bridge and head for the summit of Camlica Hill, which reveals fantastic panoramic views of Istanbul. From here, a short drive brings us to the Palace of Beylerbeyi on the shore of the Bosphorus (short visit). The palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz (1830–1876) and built between 1861 and 1865 as a summer residence and a place to entertain visiting heads of state. After the tour we transfer you back to the hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch |
| Day 18 |
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Ataturk International Airport, the end of our services. |
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| WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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17 nights at 4 Star hotel accommodations, including breakfast. |
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All admission fees to the visited sites. |
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All meals as stated in the itinerary. |
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All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary. |
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All Taxes and service fees. |
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Professional English speaking tour guide throughout the package. |
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Transportation by air-conditioned, non smoking vehicle. |
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| WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED |
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Domestic flight tickets.(Will be arranged by us and added according to best rate available.) |
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Drinks with Meals. |
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International flight tickets. |
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Visa to Turkey. |
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| DEPARTURE DATES |
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01.03.2010 to 30.10.2010 (Departs Everyday). |
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