St. Paul’s Route Religious Tour





Tour Customizable: YES
Destination's: Turkey
Hotel's Class: 5, 4, 3 Stars Hotel or Tourist Class
Season: All Year
Tour Highlights : 4 nights Istanbul, 1 night Adana, 2 nights Cappadocia, 1 night Konya, 1 night Pamukkale, 2 nights Izmir, 1 night Assos.
St. Paul’s Route Religious Tour
Biblical Tours / St. Paul’s Route Religious Tour
TOUR DETAILS:
St. Paul’s Route Religious Tour (10 Nights/
11 Days)

Key Information:
Tour Duration:
10 nights / 11 days
Days of Operation:
Private Tour
Destination's:
Turkey
Hotel's Class:
5, 4, 3 Stars Hotel or Tourist Class
Season:
All Year
Airfare Included:
No
Tour Customizable:
No
Overnight Places:
2 nights Istanbul, 2 nights Adana, 1 night Anamur, 1 night Side, 1 night
Antalya,
2 nights Pamukkale, 1 night Kusadasi.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul.
Assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Includes: Includes: (D);
Day 2: Istanbul.
The city is set on a triangular promontory between the Golden Horn and
the Bosphorus and defended on the landward side by the massive Byzantine
walls. Full day sightseeing after breakfast. Visit of Hippodrome, St.
Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The calm of Hippodrome today
contrasts with its violent Byzantine past of reckless chariot races and
rebellion that left 30.000 corpses at that spot. Blue mosque is famous
with its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles. Dominating the old city is
the mysterious labyrinth of Topkapi Palace, the seat of the Ottoman
Sultans for 300 years. After having lunch at a site restaurant visit of
Covered Bazaar. Within this maze of shops is an array of all Turkey’s
crafts. After strolling through Istanbul back to hotel for dinner and
overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 3: Istanbul–Adana.
Transfer to airport and flight to
Adana . Transfer to the hotel for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 4: Antakya-Adana.
Full day excursion to Antakya
(Antioch) where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
Antioch had been founded and named by one of the Alexander the Great’s
generals, Sleucia on Pieria, who obtained this area after the battle of
Ipsus in 301, B.C. A visit to St. Pierre which is the first church of
the world, then return to Adana for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 5: Adana-Silifke-Anamur.
After breakfast drive to Silifke
which includes an imposing crusader castle. The Goksu River that runs
past Silifke is the ancient Calycadons where the Emperor Frederick
Barbarossa, leader of the Third Crusade, drowned in 1190. Just outside
Silifke on the Mersin road is Narlikuyu where there is a fine Roman
mosaic depicting the Three Graces. On the way to Silifke visit to
Cennet-Cehennem (Heaven and Hell) and nearby is the Asthma Cave. At the
beautiful resort of Korykos there are two medieval castles, one on the
shore and one on an island. After drive along the Mediterranean coast
overnight at your hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 6: Silifke-Anamur-Side.
After breakfast we drive to Side,
a small fishing village that lies on promontory between two sandy
beaches. Side includes elegant ruins, such as a theater city, fountain
and agora. On the breathtaking road from Silifke to Side lies Anamur
with its splendid castle, set between two beaches and built by the Emirs
of Karaman in 1230. Another interesting resort town on the way is Alanya
, which is magnificently set below a Selcuk fortress that crowns a
promontory. After this long drive overnight at Side. Includes: (B), (L),
(D);
Day 7: Side - Antalya.
After breakfast continue to drive
to Antalya along the Turquoise coast. On the way visit to Perge which
includes the impressive ruins of the Pamphylian city. The ruins include
a stadium for 12.000 spectators, a theater for 15.000 and angora. At the
village of Serik there is a turning off the main road to the Pamphylian
city of Aspendos on the banks of the ancient Eurymedan. The huge 2nd
Century A.D. theater is the best preserved in Turkey and every year in
early June performances are given here. After, passing through one of
the finest settings on the Mediterranean coast, namely Antalya.
Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 8: Antalya-Pamukkale.
Excursion to Termessos, which
includes the ruins of the proud city of Termessos that even Alexander
the Great chose not to attack. The ruins are dramatically set in a
mountain stronghold, with the theater balanced on a precipice
overlooking the sea. After this trip your motor coach takes you to your
hotel for overnight in Pamukkale. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 9: Pamukkale.
After breakfast drive to
Hierapolis, the oldest inscription found so far indicates it was founded
by Eumenes II, King of Pergamon, in the latter part of the 2. Century
B.C, it soon became a busy industrial center. Pagan worship in the city
centered around Cybele, Apollo, Artemis, Men, Poseidon and Pluto.
Underneath the Temple of Apollo has been found the Plutonium, an opening
in the earth from which a noxious gas still comes. The temple is between
the pool, where the hot spring rises, and the large theater on the side
of the hill. To the north along the rim of the plateau is long avenue of
tombs. After this interesting tour around, you can rest at your hotel
which offers you swimming at night. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 10: Pamukkale-Kusadasi.
After breakfast drive to Kusadasi,
a coastal town on the Aegean. On the way visit Ephesus which is a
reflection of imperial might and eastern opulence. Our tour begins with
a visit to the little town of Selcuk, just outside there lie the remains
of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis. Not far
from the Artemission is the Isa Bey Mosque. At the top of the hill on
which the mosque lies is the citadel and the basilica of St. John. Three
kilometers from Selcuk, on the road to Kusadasi, a road branches off to
Ephesus, set at the foot of Mount Pion, then visit of Double Church of
the Virgin, Arcadian Way and the House of Virgin Mary. After your visit
to the treasures of Ephesus, your motor coach will take you to a small
coastal town, Kusadasi for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 11: Kusadasi - Izmir / Departure.
Transfer to the Izmir Airport for
your flight back home. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the
tour price.
(B), (L), (D); B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner.