DETAILED
ITINERARY
Day
1: USA / Istanbul
You
depart from the USA for an overnight
flight to mystical Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul / Ankara
Upon
arriving at Istanbul's Airport, you will
be transferred to a flight bound for
Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Our
friendly and helpful staff will be at the
airport to assist you to the city
centered hotel. Refuel yourself with a
hearty lunch, and then visit the
Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. This
is one of the most important political
monuments in modern Turkey. Just on the
opposite hillside stands the Museum of
Anatolian Civilizations. Here lies the
archeological findings of civilizations
dating as far back as the Paleolithic
Period (30,000 BC).
Day 3: Ankara / Cappadocia
This
morning depart for Cappadocia, a barren
land cloaked in a unique beauty like no
other. The route stretches for miles
along Salt Lake. On arrival get your
first impression by visiting the unique
valley of Goreme. Remains of early 8th
and 9th century churches can be seen,
hollowed out in the rock cones of
volcanic ash. There are hundreds of these
churches in this region, some of which
are decorated with scratched frescoes
depicting scenes from the Bible.
Day 4: Cappadocia / Adana
Continue
the panoramic tour of Cappadocia by
venturing through the canyon like
landscape. Discover the unique troglodyte
village of Zelve and the fortress of
Uchisar that crowns a cliff, pockmarked
by caves. After lunch, proceed to Adana
via the ruins of the Hittite village of
Nigde.
Day 5: Adana / Antioch
Today
jump back to the city Antioch where the
followers of Jesus were first called
Christians (Acts 11:26). It was here
where the beginnings of the universal
church of Christianity was formed (Acts
15:1). Advance to the famous Mosaic
Museum which houses a precious collection
of mosaics from 100 AD, and statues from
the 13th and 14th centuries BC, the time
of Moses. Next stop, the ancient city of
Seleucia on Piera, where St. Paul and St.
Barnabas set sail for Cyprus on their
first missionary journey (Acts 13:4).
When returning to Adana, visit the
Crusader's Castle and the ruined city of
Issus, the famous site where Alexander
the Great defeated the Persian army three
times the size of his army.
Day 6: Adana / Konya
Just
west of Adana lies Tarsus, the birth
place of St. Paul and where he was
schooled into a man. An important
learning center, it bridged east and
west. About 100km west lies the ancient
cities of Silifke and Seleucia of
Calycadmos. Later, travel to Derbe, one
of the famous cities where St. Paul and
St. Barnabas preached Christianity (Acts
14:21). Advance to the ancient town of
Lystra, the site where St. Paul was
almost stoned to death after instigating
a miracle cure (Acts 14:8-20). Arrive in
Konya in time for dinner.
Day 7: Konya / Antalya
Konya
(Iconium) is another city St. Paul and
St. Barnabas had to flee from
persecution. Centuries later, the
Whirling Dervishes' mystic order, which
had a profound influence on Turkish Islam
in the 13th century, was established
here. Discover their treasures in the
Mevlana Museum. Advance to the city of
Yalvac and Antioch of Psidian, where St.
Paul and St. Barnabas managed to draw
almost the entire city to hear the Word
of God (Acts 13:44). Proceed to Antalya
alongside of Egridir Lake for dinner.
Day
8: Antalya / Alanya
Begin
the day by touring the Roman port cities
of Aspendos, Side and Perge; believed to
be traveled by St. Paul, especially Perge
or Perga (Acts 13:13, 14:25). Continue to
the rocky Mediterranean cliffs to Alanya
for lunch. Visit the famous Red Tower,
used as defense against pirates, and
Alanya Castle situated high up on the
shadowing mountain cliff. Make your way
back along the sea for dinner.
Day 9: Antalya / Pamukkale
As you
enter the high peaks of the Tarsus
mountains, explore the city of Termessos
and its archaic theater and Neocropolis.
Strategically positioned it had
formidable natural defenses, but was
damaged by an earthquake in 527 AD. Once
over the mountains, you will find
Pamukkale, the spectacular thermal pools
of calcium deposits. Next door is
Hieropolis, the home of St. Philip
(Colossians 2:18, 4:13).
Day 10: Pamukkale / Kusadasi
Jump
over to Aphrodisias, a Hellenistic city
known as the center of the arts,
specifically sculpture. View the Temple
of Aphrodite, the Baths of Hadrian, and a
1st century chariot stadium. Proceed to
Kusadasi, a lively port to unwind on the
white sandy beaches.
Day 11: Kusadasi
Spend
a whole day seeing the ancient ruins of
Priene, Miletus and Didyma. The city of
Miletus is home to an ancient theater
that staged a passionate speech of St.
Paul on his third missionary journey.
Also of note is Didyma's Temple of
Apollo, one of the most famous oracles in
the Asia Minor.
Day 12: Kusadasi / Izmir
Today
is truly special! The famous city of
Ephesus; in its time it was a flourishing
port, capital to the Roman province of
Asia Minor and home to St. Paul for about
two years. Travel down the marble streets
as the Romans did 2000 years ago to
observe the Temple of Hadrian, Gate of
Hercules, Trajan's Fountain, the Grand
Library, and the Great Theater, which
seats almost 25,000. The Basilica of St.
John rests on a hill nearby where he
supposedly immigrated after Jesus' death.
With him, he brought Mary, the Mother of
Jesus, where she lived high up on the
southern mountain. Advance to Izmir for
dinner.
Day 13: Izmir / Canakkale
The
northern city Pergamum, the ancient
center of culture, houses the
mythological ruins: Zeus' Altar, Athena's
Temple, the ancient Acropolis, and the
great Library. The kings of Pergamum were
great lovers of books, reputed to have
possessed up to 200 000 volumes. Finish
off with a trip to the Asclepieon,
formally a center for thermal cure.
Continue on to Troas Alexandra, where St.
Paul, St. Luke and St. Timothy were once
unexpected visitors after being persuaded
to come by St. Paul's vision of a
Macedonian calling for his help (Acts
16:7-10). Move to your hotel in Canakkale
for an evening of dinner and relaxation.
Day 14: Canakkale / Kavalla
In the
morning venture into Europe along the
Aegean coast to the Greek border. Meet
your new guide as you transfer to a
comfortable air-conditioned motorcoach.
Continue your journey to Alexandroupolis,
where St. Paul rested from his long
journey. The entire coastline is a
beautiful mystical panorama surrounded by
lush green mountains. Along the slopes of
Mt. Simvola you will find the ruins of
ancient Neapolis. Descend down to Kavalla
in time for dinner.
Day 15: Kavalla / Thessalonika
Advance
to the ancient city of Philippi, the site
of the first church in Europe. The river
that passes along the prized city is
where St. Paul baptized Lydia, thus
making her the first Christian in Europe.
Nearby is a dungeon where St. Paul and
St. Silas were imprisoned, but escaped
when a great earthquake struck. Swing
down to Amphipolis, once a strong colony
of the Athenians. See the "Lion of
Amphipolis" dating to 4B.C., and the
ruins of the early Christian basilicas
and mosaics. After lunch proceed to
Thessaloniki, home of St. Demetrius'
church, standing in memory of his
crucifixion.
Day 16: Thessalonika / Kalambaka
Start
the day with the National Museum, which
contains golden relics of civilizations
past. See the finds from the Royal Tombs
in Vergina, Macedonian metal craft, the
Bronze Krater, and fragments of verses
written on a papyrus. Nearby is the
birthplace of Alexander the Great.
Explore the museum which boasts beautiful
4B.C. mosaics. Arrive in Kalambaka in
time for dinner.
Day 17: Kalambaka / Athens
You
will have to see it to believe it! The
famous Meteora Cloisters monasteries,
which cap the towering rock stalagmites
rising far up into the clouds. Only 5 of
these monasteries are inhabited today.
Advance to Athens for dinner.
Day 18: Athens
You
will have the opportunity to observe the
striking contrasts that make Athens such
a fascinating city. Be sure to see:
Constitution Square, the House of
Parliament, the Memorial of the Unknown
Soldier, and the Presidential Palace. On
the way to the Acropolis you will see the
Panathenaic Stadium and the Temple of
Olympian Zeus. On the Acropolis visit
it's museum, the Propylaea, the Temple of
Athena Nike, the Erechteion, and the
Parthenon. On this afternoon take a quick
stop at the Corinth Canal for a
magnificent view of one of mankind's'
great engineering feats. Return to Athens
for your last evening in this mystical
world.
Day 19: Athens / USA
After breakfast transfer to
the airport with enough time to check in
before departure.
For quotations,
please send us an email specifying:
1) When you would like to
travel (specific dates),
2) The number of people in your party,
3) The number of single,
double, and triple rooms you would like,
4) What category of hotel you would like
to stay in (3, 4, or 5 stars),
5) How many meals per day you want
included in your package (one meal -
breakfast - is the minimum hotels allow).
|
