Foot Steps of Saint Paul: Turkey

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - ISTANBUL

Arrival, reception and transfer from the airport to the hotel. Accommodation.

ISTANBUL

CONSTANTINOPLA HEART TOUR: The first stop will be at the Roman Hippodrome, where horse races took place and later became a center of civil activity of the Byzantine Empire and today we still can see the Obelisk of Theodosius. Visit to the majestic and elegant Blue Mosque, built in 1616 and known for its interior decoration with 21,000 iznik tiles. We will also see the Cathedral of Saint Sophia which is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and is now a museum. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Visit to the Holy Saviour in Chora museum. Visit to the famous Grand Bazaar which is a 15th century covered market, comprising 5,000 shops, and considered one of the first shopping centers in the world. Accommodation (breakfast, dinner). Possibility of Mass in the Church of St. Anthony.

ISTANBUL - ANTIOCH - ADANA

Transfer to the airport of Istanbul to Antioch, the first center for the diffusion of Christianity. Antioch was the place where members of the community (founded by St. Barnabas and then led by the apostles St. Paul and St. Peter) first met and adopted the name "Christians". Visit the Saint Peter Cave. The Crusaders found in the cave a rock church where the Christians of Antioch met clandestinely. Visit to the Museum of Antioch which has a large collection of Roman mosaics. Accommodation in Adana (breakfast, dinner). Possibility of Mass in the Church of St. Peter.

ADANA - TARSUS - CAPPADOCIA

Departure to Tarsus, a city where Saint Paul was born and according to legend, is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded by the third son of Adam and Eve. Arrival and visit of the only Catholic church dedicated to Saint Paul. Visit the ruin of the house and the well of Saint Paul. Stop at the door dedicated to Cleopatra. The journey continues through the Taurus Mountains towards Cappadocia. Arrive and visit the underground city of Ozkonak, built with cereal storage, dorms and ventilation wells. This place was used as a refuge by the Christians of that time. Accommodation (breakfast, dinner). Possibility of Mass in the Church of St. Paul in Tarsus.

CAPPADOCIA

Optional ride - BALLOON FLIGHT. Full day tour in Cappadocia, located between three cities in Turkey: Kirsehir, Nigde, Kayseri. We will visit the Göreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex composed of rock-cut churches with beautiful frescoes, the small troglodyte settlements of Uchisar - a natural fortress; Ortahisar - the fairy chimneys of Urgup; Pasabag - and its chimneys duplicated and tripled; Avanos - village of ceramists. At the end of the day we will end the visit at carpeting cooperative where you can see how Turkish carpets are made. Accommodation (breakfast, dinner).

CAPPADOCIA - KONYA - PAMUKKALE

Departure to Konya. On the way visit to a Kervansaray, which is a fortification used as a dormitory for the sellers of the ancient silk road. In Konya visit to the Monastery of the Dancing Dervishes founded by the great philosopher and mystic poet Mevlana Rumi. Arrival in Pamukkale. Accommodation in a thermal hotel (breakfast, dinner). Possibility of Mass in the Church of St. Paul in Konya.

PAMUKKALE

After breakfast visit the ancient Hierapolis and Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites and natural pools formed over the centuries by the sliding of waters laden with limestone salts from hot springs. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel's swimming pools (thermal pools, Turkish bath, SPA). Accommodation (breakfast, dinner).

PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS - IZMIR

Departure to Ephesus. Arrival and visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Visit Ephesus, a Greco-Roman city, well preserved in Asia Minor, which had a population of 250,000 and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. It holds treasures such as the impressive Roman Theater which housed more than 25,000 spectators, the magnificent Library of Celsus (third largest library in the ancient world), Hadrian's Temple and Marble Street. Continuation to Izmir. Accommodation (breakfast, dinner). Possibility of Mass in the House of Virgin Mary.

IZMIR - ISTANBUL

Transfer to Izmir airport to Istanbul. After the landing, boat trip in the Bosphorus Strait. BOSPHORUS TOUR: Navigation through the Bosphorus Channel that separates Europe and Asia continents, in which navigates 60,000 ships per year. From the boat you have a wonderful view of the strait with its palaces, fortresses and summer houses. Next we will visit the Spice Market, a building built in the 17th century, with shops selling typical products such as pashmina, saffron, spices, dried fruits, teas, delicacies, perfumes and much more! (breakfast, dinner).

ISTANBUL - DESTINATION COUNTRY

Transfer to the airport to travel to the country of destination (breakfast).