Itinerary

• DAY 1:

  USA

  Depart for our overnight flight this evening.Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

• DAY 2:

  ISTANBUL / ANTAKYA

  Antakya via Istanbul. Meet and Assist and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight
  Dinner included

• DAY 3:

  ANTAKYA / ADANA

  It was in Antioch that followers of ‘the Galilean’ were first called “Christians.” Attend Liturgy at the Orthodox Church, then visit the cave church associated with Apostle Peter and the monastery of St. Simeon Stylites the Younger, Orthodox saint of the 6th century. Visit the Archaeological Museum known for its famous mosaic collection. Onto Adana for dinner and overnight
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 4:

  CAPPADOCIA

  Morning visit to Cappadocia, also important in Christian history. On the way from Tarsus we stop and visit Eskigumus Monastery, rediscovered in the mid-20th century and boasting some of the best-preserved frescoes in Cappadocia. Continue to the Soganli Valley (visit). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 5:

  CAPPADOCIA

  Visit to Kaymakli, an underground city, and the Goreme open Air Museum, the Pasabagi Valley with the cave hermit dwellings and the churches in Cavusin. Many of the dwellings in this wondrous region were inhabited up until 1920s. The sad events of the early 20th century turned most of the once densely populated cave cities into ghost towns and “open air museums.”
  
  *Optional hot air balloon early in the morning
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 6:

  ANTALYA

  Morning departure to the Mediterranean Coast via the ancient city of Iconium. Visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, built in the 13th century as the safe haven on the major trade route. Dinner and over-night at the hotel in Antalya.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 7:

  ANTALYA

  Visit two archaeological parks – those of Aspendos and Perge, both important centers during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Aspendos is known for its well-preserved theater and large aqueduct. Perge was visited by Apostle Paul during his journeys. Also visit the Archaeo-logical museum in Antalya. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 8:

  PAMUKKALE

  This day we will pass under the special patron-age of St. Nicholas, as we visit the ancient ruins of Patara, the birthplace of St. Nicholas, and Myra (Demre), the town where he was bishop and where his relics were. Both Patara and Myra are historical centers and were prime cities of the province of Lycia. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 9:

  PAMUKKALE (APHRODISIAS / HIERAPOLIS / LAODICEA)

  Today depart for the archaeological parks of Aph-rodisias, Hierapolis, and Laodicea to visit the sites and Museums. Hierapolis is renown in antiquity for its natural hot springs. Walk the ancient colon-nade and look at the travertines. Climb to the martyrium built over the site where Apostle Phillip was executed. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 10:

  Visit Philadelphia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Its history dates back to the 2nd cen-tury BC. During the Roman and Byzantine period. Next stop, Sardis, an important centre of the Ancient Roman Empire and also mentioned as one of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. End our day in Izmir (Smyrna), sanctified by the preaching of the Apostles, and the martyred death of Polycarp, the disciple of St. John and the Bishop of the city. Dinner and overnight.

  Visit Philadelphia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Its history dates back to the 2nd cen-tury BC. During the Roman and Byzantine period. Next stop, Sardis, an important centre of the Ancient Roman Empire and also mentioned as one of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. End our day in Izmir (Smyrna), sanctified by the preaching of the Apostles, and the martyred death of Polycarp, the disciple of St. John and the Bishop of the city. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 11:

  PERGAMON / THYATIRA / IZMIR

  Depart for Pergamon. Mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the site was sanctified by the martyric death of its first Bishop, Antipas. Continue to Thy-atira, a smaller archaeological site, but an ancient flourishing city. Apostles Paul and Sila stopped here during their missionary journeys. Thyatira is mentioned as one of the Seven Churches and home to a Christian community. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 12:

  PATMOS

  The Island of Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelations that is ascribed by the earliest Christian tradition to St. John the Theologian. In the book it’s stated that St. John was on the Island of Patmos when he received his revelation. We visit both the Cave and the Monastery of St. John. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 13:

  EPHESUS / ISTANBUL (CONSTANTINOPLE)

  Full day tour of Ephesus. Two of the Seven Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Orthodox Church were conducted in this city. Visit the Artemision (one of the 7 Wonders of the World), the Museum, Basilica Tomb of St. John, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Later we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Istanbul.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 14:

  ISTANBUL (CONSTANTINOPLE)

  We begin our visit with what was once the heart of Eastern Christendom, the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia. Visit our Lady Pammakaristos Church, with its world famous mosaics and frescoes and the ruins of the monastery of St. John the Baptist in Studios. St. Theodore the Studite came from this monastery. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 15:

  ISTANBUL

  After breakfast we begin our day by visiting the Greek Patriarchate in Phanar district, church of Sergius and Bacchus, known also as “Little Agia Sophia,” Church of the Mother of God at Blach-ernae, and the Spice Market. Your afternoon will be at leisure or an optional Bosporus Cruise will be offered. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 16:

  USA

  After breakfast we transfer by private coach to the airport for our flight home.
  Breakfast included