Depart USA for your overnight flight to Istanbul. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board. Be sure to take some time to meditate about the life-changing journey upon which you are embarking.

Upon arrival in Istanbul Airport you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by our tour escort and/or driver. You will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. Attend a welcome briefing. Dinner and a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, we begin our full day of the old City with a guided tour exploring the ancient city including the magnificent Topkapi Palace (main residences of Ottoman Sultans) and the Byzantine Hippodrome that was the scene of chariot races. Around the corner we will visit St. Sophia Basilica, historic seat of the Byzantine church, built in 360 AD and now a museum whose mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes have been crafted to create an environment of breathtaking beauty. Enjoy a short walk-through garden and proceed to the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet 1 built in 1616, famous for its unparalleled ceramic tile work. Dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, and Mass we will travel to the ancient sites of Iznik town. Nicaea, famous as the host of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, and location of the 1st and 7th Ecumenical Councils. Iznik also served as the capital of “Empire of Nicaea”, as a political and cultural center for 50 years during the Sack of Constantinople when Constantinople was in the hands of the Fourth Crusade. Upon arrival in Nicaea, you will visit Hagia Sophia Nicaea, the Iznik Tile Kilns, the Amphitheatre of Nicaea and the ruins of the church of Koimesis. 2025 will be the 1700th Anniversary of the world’s first ecumenical council! The group will have the opportunity to meet with a faculty member from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, professor Haluk Cetinkaya who has published a book on Iznik. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Following breakfast, we will visit the Galata Tower and Bridge. In the Galata district many Catholic Churches are located. We will visit The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, the most prestigious Catholic Church in Istanbul, originally built on this site in 1725, but was demolished in the early 20th Century, in order to make way for a tramway. The church was rebuilt by the architect, Giulio Mongeri and completed in 1912. Celebrate Mass. Following lunch visit The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is a historic parish of the Georgian Greek Catholic Church in the district of Bomonti of the Istanbul district of Şişli. We also will stop by SS Peter and Paul is a Catholic church in Istanbul, important for historical reasons. The church owns an icon of the Virgin of the Hodegetria type, which originally lay in a Dominican church in Caffa, Crimea. Ending our day with a visit of the Grand Covered Bazaar, a maze of streets and shops aroma and sounds of old Turkey. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

This morning, we will embark on a short flight to Kayseri, where the journey unfolds in the enchanting region of Cappadocia, renowned for its “moon-like” topography and breathtaking landscapes. Our first stop is Derinkuyu Underground City, an extraordinary complex used by early Christians as a refuge, offering a glimpse into their resourcefulness and enduring faith. From there, we will continue to Cavusin Village to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the oldest and most historically significant churches in Cappadocia. While in the village, we will marvel at its scenic rock formations and explore other small, charming churches nestled within its unique terrain.

Begin your day in Cappadocia with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride, soaring above the region’s otherworldly landscape of fairy chimneys, valleys, and rock formations as the sun rises, painting the sky in brilliant hues. After breakfast, head to Goreme to explore its famed churches, starting with the Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise), celebrated for its stunningly preserved frescoes. Continue to the Buckle Church (Tokalı Kilise), where intricate biblical depictions offer a window into early Christian art. Visit the Apple Church (Elmali Kilise) to admire its vibrant frescoes and the Church of St. Barbara, known for its unique blend of Christian and Central Asian influences. Take a short walk to the El Nazar Church, housed in a fairy chimney with distinct frescoes, and end your exploration with St. Basil’s Church in the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a simpler yet historically significant site dedicated to St. Basil. Conclude your day by watching a breathtaking sunset from one of Cappadocia’s grand overlooks, as the sky fills with colorful hot air balloons, offering a serene and awe-inspiring end to your pilgrimage.

Start your day with a visit to the serene Ihlara Valley, a lush canyon carved by the Melendiz River, perfect for a reflective nature walk amidst its stunning landscapes. Explore the valley’s hidden churches, beginning with the St. George Church (Kirk Dam Alti Kilise), a historic pilgrimage site adorned with detailed frescoes. Next, visit the Snake Church (Yilanli Kilise), where you’ll find a captivating fresco of St. George and the dragon, followed by the Agacalti Church (Church Under the Tree), notable for its poignant depiction of the Ascension. Continue to the Sumbullu Church (Hyacinth Church), which offers both striking frescoes and panoramic views of the canyon. In the afternoon, travel to the Monastery of St. Nicholas near Guzelyurt, a site that provides a deep insight into the austere and spiritual life of early Christian monastics. End your day with a peaceful visit to one of Cappadocia’s grand overlooks, where you can watch hot air balloons gracefully ascend against the colorful evening sky, a moment of awe and quiet reflection.

Begin the day with a visit to Uchisar Castle, a towering rock fortress that offers panoramic views of Cappadocia’s unique landscape, providing a final breathtaking farewell to the region. After exploring the castle, embark on a scenic drive to Konya, a city deeply connected to the missionary journeys of St. Paul and Barnabas. Along the way, reflect on their courageous ministry in Iconium, as described in Acts 13:51-14:7, where they preached the Gospel amidst both welcome and opposition. Upon arriving in Konya, visit the Church of St. Paul, a Catholic church built in 1910 atop the ancient hill of Iconium, a testament to the enduring faith of the region’s Christian community. Spend time contemplating its significance as a historical and spiritual site. Conclude the day with dinner and restful overnight accommodations in Konya, preparing for the journey ahead.

After breakfast we drive to Pisidian Antioch. The history of Pisidian Antioch goes back to sometime between 310-280 BC. The first Biblical reference to this city is Paul’s mention of it in Acts 13:14-16 as the synagogue from which he preached his first recorded sermon during his first missionary journey. We continued to Pamukkale, the white Cotton Castle formed by lime cascades. Enjoy a leisurely bath in the warm mineral waters of your hotel’s thermal pools before dinner and have a restful night’s sleep.

Today we will enjoy a full day excursion and visit the ancient City of Hierapolis meaning “Sacred City,” Philip the Evangelist’s home. Tour the extensive necropolis, churches and baths. We continue with a scenic drive to Laodicea located in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, a primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East. “The “lukewarm” church with a faith that’s neither hot nor cold” (Rev. 3:14-22). Continue to nearby Colossae, which is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity, and nothing remains. Return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Ephesus, which is the most influential capital city of Asia Minor on the Aegean Sea. “Ephesus receives praise for its perseverance” (Rev. 2:1-7). You will explore some of the best-preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. We then visit the House of the Virgin Mary which was miraculously discovered hidden on a wooded hilltop. A pilgrimage site for many which has also been accepted by the Vatican. Finally visit the Basilica of St. John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation). Continue on to Izmir were our day ends with dinner and overnight.

Our day starts with visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). 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.” (Rev.3:12). Continue onto Then Sardis, 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”(Rev. 3: 1-6). Sardis, located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Asia Minor. “The church of Sardis is described as dead, and it must wake up. We continue on to Thyatira, known for its textiles and dyeing trade. It is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar. It is “praised for its increasing faith and service” (Rev. 2:18-29) Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

We wake up in the modern Turkish city of Izmir. In ancient times “Smyrna”, as it was called, was in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. Visit the archeological remains of the Agora. The Agora in Izmir is an ancient Roman marketplace located in the heart of the city. It was originally built in the 4th century BCE and later expanded by the Romans. The site features impressive ruins, including colonnaded streets, a large courtyard, and the remains of various public buildings. The Agora served as a central hub for commerce, politics, and social activities in ancient times. Today, it stands as a significant historical site and a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring Izmir’s rich history and ancient architecture. Continue to Pergamum, located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. The city, is “praised for its martyrdom and perseverance but those who hold false teachings are criticized” (Rev. 2:12-17). Here you will see the Acropolis famous for Greek & Roman Temples as well as the unique Greek theatre built into the steep hillside. Also visit the Asclepion, the ancient medical center for the Greeks. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home to the USA.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.