In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul: A Pilgrimage Tour of Turkey

Touch down at the airport in Istanbul and enjoy a private transfer by one of us to your hotel in the city.

Overnight at Istanbul | Meals: None

Enjoy a sumptuous Istanbulite breakfast and start your pilgrimage with a tour of the breathtaking city. Visit the lively Hippodrome and enjoy the lavishly decorated display of Ottoman wealth at Topkapi Palace. While in the streets, explore the most stunning piece of architecture you’ll ever see in the awe-inspiring cathedral that became a mosque that is the Hagia Sophia. Right next to it is the magnificent Blue Mosque, famed for its breathtaking blue Iznik tiles.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Adana, where you will spend the night.

Overnight at Adana | Meals: B

After breakfast, drive to Antakya (Antioch) -the ancient town where the followers of Christ called Christians for the first time. As such, it’s one of the essential locations in Christian history. While here, visit one of the oldest Catholic churches in the world in St. Peters Church before proceeding to Antakya Museum of Mosaics. This impressive museum houses one of the most remarkable collections of mosaics in the world. Drive back to Adana for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight at Adana | Meals: B, L

Early breakfast and departure for Tarsus. The city was the birthplace of St. Paul, and although very few remains of the ancient town, you can see the house where the apostle lived. Another popular attraction in the area is Cleopatra’s Gate, named after the beautiful Egyptian queen.

After lunch, proceed to Cappadocia, where you will have your dinner and spend the night.

Overnight at Cappadocia | Meals: B, L

Spend the whole day exploring the breathtaking land of Cappadocia. First, start your tour at Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to numerous cave churches. These chapels are home to some of the best-preserved frescoes globally, including beautiful depictions of Christian Mythology.

After enjoying the paintings, visit Goreme, Pasabag, and Pigeon valleys for a glimpse of the stunning fairy chimneys responsible for Cappadocia’s worldwide fame. You will also enjoy a panoramic view of Uchisar Castle before proceeding to the small town of Avanos for a fun pottery demonstration.

Overnight at Cappadocia | Meals: B, L

The 6th day brings us more of Cappadocia’s top attractions, starting at the mind-blowing Derinkuyu Underground City. The city is one of 200 hundred underground cities in Cappadocia, but it stands out thanks to its incredible depth (it runs for18 stories or around 85 meters below ground). Believed to have the capacity to host up to 20,000 people, the underground city will impress you with its network of chapels, stables, storage rooms, wine presses, oil presses, and refractories.

From there, explore IIhlara valley and enjoy a mesmerizing dance at the Sultanhan caravanserai. After lunch, drive to the city of Konya for the night.

Overnight at Konya | Meals: B, L

Also known as Iconium, Konya is a city where Paul and Barnabas were threatened with being stoned (Acts 15:5) and is also the birthplace of the Whirling dervishes. There are several exciting attractions in the town, the most exciting being Mevlana’s Mausoleum, established in honor of the mystic poet and founder of Whirling dervishes, Mevlana.

After lunch, Paul’s path takes us to Antioch of Pisidia, a small town where the apostle stayed to preach during his journey. Here, explore some ruins of basilicas, after which we will drive to Antalya for a night’s stay.

Overnight at Antalya | Meals: B, L

After breakfast in Antalya, drive to Perge, where Apostle Paul and Luke stopped to preach and talk to the people while on their way back from Antioch (Acts 14:25). After some time here, visit the historical location of Aspendos. The ancient site is home to one of the best-preserved ruins in Turkey, providing stunning examples of ancient architecture.

We then drive to Antalya and explore the city for a while, after which we will enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night at a local hotel.

Overnight at Antalya | Meals: B, L

Early morning drive to Colossae, where we will explore the ruins of an ancient city receiving Paul’s letter. After lunch, proceed to one of the Seven Churches in Laodicea and visit the remains of a theatre and gymnasium. From there, drive to Pamukkale for the night.

Overnight at Pamukkale | Meals: B, L, D

In the morning, depart for the magnificent remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Here, explore the Necropolis, Agora, theatre, and the mythical baths of Cleopatra. Next, follow St. Paul’s footsteps to the city of brotherly love that is Philadelphia before driving to Sardis. Finally, explore the Temple of Artemis, Synagogue, and Gymnasium.

Proceed to Izmir and visit the oldest church of the revelation in Smyrna. Then, drive to Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Overnight at Kusadasi | Meals: B, L

In the morning, depart for the most breathtaking ruins of any ancient city in Turkey and probably the world; Ephesus. Walking the cobblestone ruins as you explore the Library, Odeon, theatre, and Double Church are arguably one of the top highlights of the tour. From the ruins, explore St, John’s Basilica and the House of the Virgin Mary, and in the afternoon, proceed to Miletus.

Overnight at Kusadasi | Meals: B, L

Breakfast and early morning drive to Thyatira, after which we proceed to Pergamon to visit the infamous throne of Satan (Acropolis). After enjoying a delicious local lunch, our journey takes us to Alexandra Troas, a 1000 BCE city where St. Paul had the vision of a man asking him to meet him in Macedonia.

Overnight at Assos | Meals: B, L

Enjoy a morning visit to the ancient city of Troy, the site of the mythical battle of Troy. After exploring the ruins, take a ferry across Dardanelles, marking the end of your journey. Then, return to Istanbul, where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Overnight at Istanbul | Meals: B, L

After breakfast in your hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B