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.