Day 1 • Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meeting with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy dinner which offers delicious tastes of Turkish cuisine. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 • Istanbul
Drive to Old City to visit St. Sophia Church and see The Blue Mosque, one of the marvels of Islamic world. Lunch in a seafood restaurant with the wonderful view of Bosphorus Straight. Then visit Chora Church and the Fethiye Mosque, the monastery also known as St. Mary Pammakaristos, “The All Blessed Mother of God.” Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 • Istanbul
Check out of hotel and visit the Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans to see the Treasury, royal gardens, Sultan’s kitchen, sacred relics. Then embark on a cruise by private boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. Transfer to the airport and flight to Konya, Turkey’s city of Whirling Dervishes for 800 years. Here is buried the great poet and Sufi mystic Rumi. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Day 4 • Konya
Check out of hotel and visit the Mevlana Museum which shelters the tomb of Rumi, known to his followers as Mevlana. Also see Karatay Medrese which is one of the marvels of Turkish Islamic art. Drive to the fertile plates of Anatolia. Arrive in Pamukkale considered to be the oldest spa and religious center in the world. You can enjoy the thermal pools and the spa in your hotel.
Day 5 • Ephesus
Visit the Virgin Mary’s house and the ancient city of Ephesus, which was the most influential capital city of Asia Minor (current Turkey). Visit to the Basilica of St. John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation). After tour, drive to your hotel in Kusadasi and overnight there.
Day 6 • Kusadasi
Enjoy the day at the beach or join our optional Turkish Village life tour (half day) to learn more about Turkish culture and taste delicious wines produced by locals by using ancient techniques. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 7 • Smyrna (Izmir) – Pergamon – Manisa (Anemon)
Drive to Pergamon, the city connected to St. John’s Book of Revelations (Rev. 2:12-17). Visit the Acropolis famous for Greek and Roman temples as well as the theatre built into the steep hillside. Drive to Manisa, the birthplace of Anemon in Greek mythology, which is also know as Tulip flower. Overnight in Manisa.
Day 8 • Iznik (Nicea) – Bursa
Drive to Iznik (Ancient Nicaea) where the Two Christian ecumenical councils were held. Visit Hagia Sophia Church and drive to Bursa. Visit Ulu Cami, the great Mosque dated 13th century. Check into your hotel. Overnight in Bursa.
Day 9 • Bursa – Istanbul
After breakfast take a ferry from Bursa to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the airport to take your departure flight. End of our services. Optional additional night in Istanbul, according to your flight departure.
The order of events and visits may be subject to change .
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