Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul, the city that bridges two continents, "Europe" and "Asia". You will be met at the airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel. There you will have a briefing and welcome cocktail. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2
Morning visit to the Kariye Museum, the old church of St. Saviour in Chora treasuring the marvelous mosaics and frescoes which represent scenes drawn from, the cycle of the life of the Virgin and of Christ. They have been restored under the guidance of the Byzantine Institute of Boston. Then drive to the Museum of St. Sophia (the Church of Divine Wisdom, built by Justinian) a fantastic church. In the words of the court historian of 6th century "Had not been since Adam and never would be again". Later, visit the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, the Blue Mosque, famous for its magnificent interior with blue tiles and 6 minarets. Continue to Topkapi Palace Museum to enjoy the dazzling displays of the Treasures of Ottoman Sultans, and the porcelain collection, which is unique in the world. Lunch at the Konyali Restaurant within the Palace, after which you will visit the famous Grand Bazaar where there are shopping opportunities for carpets, leather goods, copper goods and jewelry. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3
Morning visit to the Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener on the Golden Horn followed by a visit to the Catholic Church St. Antoine on the main walking street. Lunch on the main street. Afternoon drive to the Dolmabahce Palace right on the Bosphorus, the masterpiece of the 19th century palaces in the Renaissance Style. The interior is of great richness with the world's largest crystal chandelier and a variety of material employed: crystal, alabaster, marble, porphyry and inlaid mother of pearl. Later, you will have a cruise on the Bosphorus by private boat enjoying the old wooden villas, marble palaces, ancient fortresses, zigzagging between the coasts of two continents, Asia and Europe. Disembark at Ortakoy, "Syntheses of three religions" where you will have the opportunity to see a church, a mosque and a synagogue, all three very close to each other, a manifestation of the great tolerance and understanding of the Ottoman Empire. Dinner in Ortakoy, a typical and interesting section of the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4
Morning transfer to the Ataturk airport for your flight to Adana. Upon arrival drive to ancient Alexandretta. Visit the hilltop Crusader castles and the site of the Biblical city Antioch. Visit the Grotto of St. Peter, where St. Peter first celebrated mass, then see the basa used by Barnabas, St. Peter and St. Paul while preaching. The word "Christian" was first used here in 40 AD and it was from Antioch that Christianity spread around the world. Then visit the Museum of Roman Mosaics to see the unusually rich collection of mosaics from nearby ruins. Dinner and overnight in Adana.

Day 5
In the morning drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Drive through the Taurus Mountains and the Cilician Gates and arrive in the surrealistic region of the Biblical Cappadocia famous for its extraordinary landscape. Dinner and overnight in Nevsehir.

Day 6
Full day tour of Cappadocia, a center of medieval Christianity, where St. Basil and St. Gregory taught. Visit the troglodyte dwellings in rock caves and fairy chimneys of volcanic tuff merged harmoniously into the landscape. Visit the natural citadel of Uchisar, Goreme, an open air museum with its early Christian chapels carved in rocks and decorated with frescoes by early Christian artists, mostly between the 9th and 13th centuries. Then visit Zelve and the Underground city of Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, where thousands of early Christians lived concealed from persecutors in eight-story complexes of subterranean dwellings. Dinner and over night in Nevsehir.

Day 7
Morning drive to Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Turks in the12th & 13th centuries, now famous as the home of the great 13th century mystic known as Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi, founder of the Whirling Dervishes. He was a poet philosopher preaching of God's love to all creation. He was revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews for his ecumenical spirit. St. Paul visited Iconium, using its synagogue as his forum. Later, continue to Antioch in Pisidia, (Yalvac) On his first missionary journey, St. Paul preached his first recorded serman "Almost the whole city gathered to hear the words of God". Dinner and overnight on the Pisidian lake side district in Egridir.

Day 8
Drive through the magnificent pine forests of the Taurus mountains to Antalya on the Turquoise Riviera, one of the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean Sea. Afternoon at leisure to relax, swim and have fun. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 9
Morning visit to Perge, where St. Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts. 13:13; 14:25) and Aspendos which has the best preserved theater of antiquity seating 15,000 people. Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum followed by shopping at the Free Zone. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 10
Drive to Demre, the ancient coastal city of Myra. This was the home, in the 4th century, of St. Nicholas, (Santa Claus or "Father Christmas") who was an unusually generous Christian bishop. Visit the ancient church of St. Nicholas, then along the coast continue to Patara, a major center for the worship of Apollo. In the days of St. Paul it was a good all weather harbor. Later, drive to Fethiye, famous for its Lycian Tombs and nearby beaches. Dinner and overnight in Fethiye.

Day 11
Drive through the beautiful country side to Laodicia, for whose Christians St. Paul expressed his concern (Col. 2:1) and who St. John scolded for being neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:16). Drive to the spectacular natural site of Hieraopolis, which also was the home of Papias, an early Christian writer and Philip the Evangelist. Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle" with thermal springs of calcium in water and white petrified lime cascades falling from heights of 300 ft., is a noted spa with dazzling white formations. The martyrium of St. Philip, an octagonal chamber, has recently been discovered. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 12
Drive to visit three great Ionian cities. First visit Priene, the favorite city of Alexander the Great, which commands a magnificent view of the Meander Valley. Then continue to the ancient city of Miletus with its well preserved Lion Harbor and theater, where St. Paul gave his emotional good-bye message to the elders of Ephesus. After lunch, drive to Didyma to visit the remarkably well preserved Apollo Temple (Ancient Oracle). Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 13
Morning departure for the city dedicated to Artemis, the best preserved ancient city of Asia Minor with its majestic theater, marble road, Temple of Artemis, the Church of the Virgin Mary or the Double Church, the library of Celsus, the stadium, the lecture-hall of Tyrannus, where St. Paul held daily discussions (Acts 19.9). For two years St. Paul taught here from eleven to four during the hottest hours of the day when the hall was empty. Then visit the Church of St. John and his Tomb in Selcuk before driving to the home of the Virgin Mary, who was brought to Ephesus by John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. The home of the Virgin Mary is near a hill top, where she lived out her days. It is now visited by over a hundred thousand pilgrims each year. The pilgrims drink the water of the sacred spring, meditate and pray for health at this ancient spot of worship. Both Pope Paul VI in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979 have celebrated Mass here. Drive to the Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 14
Transfer to the Ataturk airport for your home bound flight.