In The Steps of St. Paul

An afternoon flight to Adana, one of the major cities in Turkey. Wits rural atmosphere, Adana also hosts the 5000 US service men and women at Incirlik Airbase.
Overnight in Adana.

A full day bus trip to Ancient Antioch which was the center of Hellenistic civilization in this region and home to a massive temple and oracle complex dedicated to Apollo. The temple functioned until the visiting Emperor Justinian threw out the last remaining priest and ordered the place burned to the ground.
Christianity have a deep root into Antioch's soil. It was to Antioch that many Jerusalem Christians fled after the death of Stephen. St. Paul and St. Barnabas stayed in Antioch for a year and assembled with the church and taught many people
Later, the city became the center from which St. Paul performed his missionary labors . It was in Antioch that the disciples of this religion were first named as "Christians", and it was also in here the first non-Jews were accepted into the church.
Return and overnight in Adana.

Proceed to Tarsus which was the birthplace of St. Paul . Besides he visited this city on his second and third missionary journeys.
Reaching back to the 14th century B.C., Tarsus is a city with a resplendent history.
A beautiful coastal drive to Side with visits of the ruins of the Byzantine period in Side, including the theater and the baths.
Overnight in Side.

The Aspendos amphitheatre, famoust for its extraordinary acoustics, which is also extremely well preserved and still in use today for special events.
Proceed to Perge, a Hellenistic city where St. Paul preached (Acts 14:25). The ruins of a large stadium, baths and tomb give ample evidence of its former greatness. St. Paul and St. Barnabas visited here on their first journey. After the visit we will depart to Hierapolis which is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians in saluting Epaphras, a fellow laborer, for his love of the brethren there (Colossians 4: 13). The ruins cover more than a mile.
Visits to the impressive amphitheatre with seats still in perfect condition, the City Gates, column-lined streets and arches which have stood through time and earthquake. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning the "Cotton Castle", named for the limestone-laden hot springs, which cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next.
Overnight in Pamukkale.

A full day trip to Colossae which is famous as the receiver of St. Paul's Letter.The town of Colossae has fallen into the hands of time but one can still see traces of the theatre, the Necropolis and the Church, the ancient city is mostly indistinguishable ruins.
Aphrodisias, is another town close by whose fame has been obscured by time. This city of marble thrived as the major center for worship of the pagan goddess Aphrodite until 500 years after Christ. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation , Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock...".
Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets.
Travel back and overnight in Pamukkale.

Ephesus is one of the well known and preserved biggest cities of the history, was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. Today, everyone is impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. Visits to the Library and the huge Agora.
The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. Visits to the Basilica of St. John, traditional site of his grave and visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city.
What made Ephesus famous in Christianity, is her hosting one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). Some of the footsteps of Paul still can be heard within this powerful city.
Final visit to the House of Virgin Mary which she spent her final years and believed to be burried in here. This place was sanctioned by Vatikan as a holy pilgrimage place for Christians.
Proceed to Izmir and overnight

The third largest city in modern Turkey is Izmir, long a center for Jewish and Christian communities. In St. Paul's day, the town was known as Smyrna. It was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2: 8-11).
Visits to the the Agora, the colonnaded commercial center where Roman statues can still be seen.
Proceed to Thyatira which was once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple". Today it is a famous for rugs. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel.
After this visit a short trip to Sardis, which hosts another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead".
Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. Visitors are impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue.
The day will continue with the visit of the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them "the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem." Today, not much is left to mark the spot but an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica.
Proceed back to Izmir and overnight.

Pergamum was another of the seven churches mentioned in Revelations (Rev. 2: 12). It displeased the Lord because it tolerated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes which Christ hated.
Towering 1000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular panorama is the fabled Acropolis.
A short walk will lead to one of the great centers of classic Greek culture with the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the Library which once held 200,000 parchment volumes.
Proceeding to the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium, and the Health Center (Aesclepion). Wil finalize the Pergamum visit.
Not far away is is the historical city of Troas. Here, on his second missionary journey, Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia . Later, during his third journey, Paul spent a week in Troas preaching. On one occasion he also resurrected Eutychus who fell to his death from a window while sleeping.
Overnight in Canakkale.

Leaving the footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey, you will join the other stages of the history here in this part of the world, starting from the historical city of TROY, a city that which gave name to the famous movie films lately and her wooden horse.
In Troy, history is buried in myth and mud. Nine layers of the fabled city have been excavated. Homer's lliad relates the legendary story of the Trojan war.
Continue the day with a visit to Gellipoli to visit the battle fields which hosted one of the major battles of the World War 1.
Proceed to Istanbul and overnight.

- Proceed with your stay in Istanbul
- Proceed with another Tura Itinerary
- Transfer to the airport for the flight to/...

** Accommodations prior or/and after the programme in Istanbul, mealplan throughout your tour will be included as per your request.
** Domestic flight to Adana is not included in or price offer. Tickets for this flight can be purchased by yourselves.
** The remaining sector will be operated with privately chartered luxurious airconditioned coaches
** Special mass programs can be pre-arranged, providing needed permissions are received.