Footsteps of Paul Tour

• Your private Footsteps of Paul tour starts with your arrival in Istanbul. Your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Your full-day exploration of Istanbul begins with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, a stunning masterpiece of architecture that has served as both a cathedral and mosque.
• Next, discover the Underground Byzantine Cistern (Yerebatan), hidden beneath the city, that once provided water to Constantinople.
• Continue your journey to the Hippodrome of Istanbul, the ancient center of chariot races and social life, and then visit the magnificent Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), known for its striking blue tiles.
• End the day with a tour of Topkapi Palace, including the intriguing Harem section, followed by a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a vibrant market rich in history.
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Start your day with a visit to the Old Spice Bazaar, a historical market filled with the scents of exotic spices and traditional Turkish goods.
• Next, enjoy a 2-hour Bosphorus cruise, offering stunning views of both the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. As you sail along the strait, you'll see historical landmarks like Anadolu Hisari and Rumeli Hisari, along with waterfront mansions, imperial palaces and modern villas.
• The final stop on today's tour is the Kariye Mosque (formerly the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora), famous for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, which are still visible.
• Afterward, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

• After an early morning transfer to the airport, fly to Adana and arrive at your destination.
• From there, you'll be transferred to Hatay, also known as Antioch, one of the most significant cities in early Christian history, the third-largest Roman city, and it was from here that St. Paul began his missionary journeys. This city holds historical importance as the first place outside of Israel where the followers of Jesus were called "Christians." St. Peter also visited Antioch, as mentioned in Galatians 2:11.
• After lunch, visit St. Peter’s Church, a cave church carved into the mountainside, and explore the Mosaic Museum, which houses one of the most extensive collections of Roman mosaics in the world.
• Overnight stay in Hatay.

• After breakfast, we will drive to Samandag, the ancient town of Seleucia Pieria, where Apostle Paul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus on their first missionary journey.
• Next, we proceed to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Here, you will visit St. Paul’s Church, which has been preserved and protected since 1993.
• Overnight stay in Tarsus.

• After breakfast, we will drive towards Cappadocia, with a visit to the Ihlara Valley along the way. This valley, known for its beautiful landscape, also houses many rock-hewn churches adorned with ancient frescoes, which will take up nearly half of the day to explore.
• Afterward, we continue our journey to Cappadocia for an overnight stay in a unique cave hotel.

• After breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its ancient Byzantine frescoes and rock-cut churches.
• Next, we will explore the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar and travel to Ortahisar and Avanos Village to see the fairy chimneys and visit the St. Simeon Church in Pasabag (Monks Valley).
• After a full day of exploration, we will enjoy a relaxing dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Cappadocia.

• Start the day with an optional hot air balloon flight (from 05:00 to 08:00), subject to availability and weather conditions. This is an unforgettable experience, offering a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia’s unique landscape.
• After breakfast, we start a full-day tour exploring the wonders of Cappadocia. First, we visit the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most fascinating and extensive underground cities in the region.
• Then, we head to Uchisar Castle, where we can enjoy panoramic views of the area, including the cone of Uchisar.
• Afterward, we explore Pigeon Valley and Love Valley, famous for its uniquely shaped fairy chimneys.
  Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cappadocia.

• After breakfast, we will depart for Konya. Konya, once known as ancient Iconium, is a city rich in history. It was visited by St. Paul during his first missionary journey, and it is believed he and Silas returned here during their second journey (Acts 13:51; 14:1-21; 16:2; II Tim. 3:11).
  In Konya, you will explore the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the renowned poet and philosopher. Also, visit the Karatay Medrese, a historical Islamic school, and the Ince Minaret, a beautiful example of Seljuk architecture.
• After lunch, we will continue our journey to Yalvac, home to Psidian Antioch. Here, Apostle Paul delivered his first recorded sermon, famously declaring, "Now we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:14-52).
• Overnight stay in Yalvac.

• After breakfast, we will drive to Aspendos to visit the world’s best-preserved Greco-Roman theater.
• Next, we will explore the ancient Greco-Roman city of Perge, where St. Paul delivered his first speech on Christianity in the region.
• After a brief walking tour of the city of Antalya, you will return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast, we will continue to Pamukkale (Hierapolis), one of the most stunning natural and historical sites in Turkey. During our visit, you’ll explore the Gate of Domitian, the impressive Arcadian Way, and the Necropolis, which houses ancient tombs. You will also have the opportunity to visit St. Philip’s tomb, dedicated to the apostle who was martyred here.
  Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

• After breakfast, we drive to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We’ll explore the Christian ruins, including the basilica, aqueduct, stadium, and Ephesian Gate, as well as the Statue of Emperor Augustus.
• Next, we continue to Colossae (modern-day Honaz), the ancient city mentioned in the Book of Colossians. Although it’s still unexcavated, we’ll discuss its Biblical importance, including Paul’s letter to the Church and the city’s connection to Philemon.
• Then, we head to Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love), founded in 189 BC. It was another of the Seven Churches (Revelation 3:7-12), where early Christians were commended for their faithfulness. We’ll visit its ancient remains and reflect on its Biblical significance.
• Finally, we reach Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia and home to one of the Seven Churches (Revelation 3:1-6). Here, we’ll see the Sardis Gymnasium, the Jewish Synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis.
• Overnight stay in Sardis.

• After breakfast, we drive to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation 1:11; 2:18-28. This city is also known for Lydia, the seller of purple cloth, a key figure in the early Christian community (Acts 16:14).
• Next, we head to the ancient Ionian port of Miletus, where the Apostle Paul bid farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38). We will visit the remains of an ancient synagogue, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious history of the area.
  Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

• After breakfast, we will head to Ephesus, one of the most famous ancient cities in the world and a significant Biblical site. Ephesus was home to one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and it is also where the Apostle Paul spent a significant amount of time spreading Christianity (Acts 19:1-10).
• We will explore the Ephesus archaeological site, including the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You'll also see the Celsus Library, the Great Theatre where Paul was confronted by local silversmiths, and the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her last years.
• Afterward, we will visit St. John's Basilica, located on Ayasoluk Hill, where it’s believed that the Apostle John spent his final years and was buried. The basilica was originally constructed in the 6th century and is an important pilgrimage site for Christians.
• In the evening, we will return to our hotel in Kusadası for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast, we drive to Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), the third-largest city in Turkey. Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:8-11). This letter sends a message of hope and encouragement to the church, celebrating their endurance through hardship and persecution.
• We will visit the Agora of Smyrna and the Church of St. Polycarp, dedicated to the beloved bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred in the 2nd century.
• Next, we continue to Pergamon, where we will explore the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the Serapis Temple, the Heroon, the Sanctuary of Athena, the Library of Pergamon, the Temple of Trajan, the Theatre, the Zeus Altar, and the Red Court. Pergamon is the third of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation 1:11.
• We will drive to Assos for an overnight stay.
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• Our first stop today is Assos, a place significant in St. Paul’s third missionary journey. In Acts 20:5-6, 13-14, St. Paul walked from Alexandria Troas to Assos, where he reunited with his companions who had traveled ahead by sea.
• Next, we continue to Alexandria Troas, where St. Paul famously raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:5-12), a remarkable event that took place here.
• Finally, we visit Troy, the legendary city of Homer’s Iliad. Here, you will see the famous replica of the wooden horse, a symbol of the city's historical and mythical significance.
• We will end the day with an overnight stay in Canakkale.

• After breakfast, we depart from the hotel and begin our five-hour drive to Istanbul.
• Upon arrival in Istanbul, you'll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace or relax.
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.