Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul Airport where your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are free for you to settle in and rest after your journey.
- Start point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (Istanbul or Saw Airport , 00:00 - 23:55)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City Hotel )
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start this morning at Hagia Sophia, the architectural centerpiece of the Old City with its complex history as both church and mosque. From there, you'll head down into the Basilica Cistern, an underground water system from the Byzantine era. Next, walk through the ancient Hippodrome before seeing the Blue Mosque with its six minarets up close. After that, you'll go to Topkapi Palace to check out the former Ottoman sultan residency and the Harem section. By evening, you'll explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest covered markets with hundreds of shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Explore Basilica Cistern
- Walk through Hippodrome
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Tour Topkapi Palace and Harem
- Visit Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Basilica Cistern Hippodrome Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul
This morning you'll meet your guide at the Spice Bazaar where the smell of spices and vibrant colors fill the market. Later you'll board a ferry for a Bosphorus cruise with views of palaces, fortresses, and waterfront mansions on both the European and Asian sides. In the afternoon, visit the Kariye Mosque to see its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes showing scenes from Christ's and the Virgin Mary's lives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City Hotel )
Included Activities
- Explore Spice Bazaar
- Bosphorus Cruise
- Visit Kariye Mosque
Landmarks Spice Bazaar Bosphorus Kariye Mosque - Day 4
Istanbul to Assos
You'll depart early for Troy, where the ancient city's walls and a wooden horse replica connect you to Homer's stories. From there, drive to Alexandria Troas, a historic port where St. Paul sailed to Macedonia. Stop in Assos, a coastal town where Paul walked to meet his companions during his third missionary journey, then settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ASSOS BEHRAM HOTEL )
Included Activities
- Visit Troy
- Explore Alexandria Troas
- Visit Assos
Landmarks Troy Alexandria Troas Assos - Day 5
Assos to Izmir
Head to Pergamon in the morning and explore its Acropolis, temples, Red Court, library ruins, and the steep ancient theatre. You'll then drive to Thyatira, known for its trade culture and connections to Lydia who sold purple cloth. Later you'll arrive in Smyrna (Izmir) where you'll visit the Agora and the Church of St. Polycarp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ramada plaza by wyndham izmir )
Included Activities
- Explore Pergamon Acropolis
- Visit Pergamon Temples
- Explore Pergamon Red Court
- Visit Pergamon Library ruins
- Explore Pergamon ancient theatre
- Visit Thyatira
- Visit Agora of Smyrna
- Visit Church of St. Polycarp
Landmarks Pergamon Thyatira Agora of Smyrna Church of St. Polycarp - Day 6
Izmir to Kusadasi
Travel to Ephesus, where St. Paul preached for three years during early Christianity's growth. Walk through the Baths of Scholastica, see the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre, and Temple of Hadrian. You'll also visit what remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of antiquity's Seven Wonders. After that, go to the Basilica of St. John built at his believed burial site, then finish at the House of the Virgin Mary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (SUHAN SEAPORT HOTEL )
Included Activities
- Explore Baths of Scholastica
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Explore Grand Theatre
- Visit Temple of Hadrian
- View Temple of Artemis remnants
- Visit Basilica of St. John
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
Landmarks Ephesus Baths of Scholastica Library of Celsus Grand Theatre Temple of Hadrian Temple of Artemis Basilica of St. John House of the Virgin Mary - Day 7
Kusadasi
Start at Priene, an ancient Ionian city with its Greek-Roman layout and well-preserved theatre. Next, drive to Didyma to see the monumental Temple of Apollo, once a major oracle center. Later, explore Miletus, the port city where St. Paul said goodbye to the Ephesian elders.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (SUHAN SEAPORT HOTEL )
Included Activities
- Explore Priene
- Visit Temple of Apollo
- Explore Miletus
Landmarks Priene Temple of Apollo Miletus - Day 8
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
Leave early for Sardis, once Lydia's wealthy capital and another of the Seven Churches, where you'll see the Gymnasium, Synagogue, and Temple of Artemis. Continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir), called the 'Faithful Church' for its representation of endurance. By evening, arrive in Pamukkale to explore ancient Hierapolis, including Philip's Tomb, the Necropolis, and Roman streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hierapark Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Sardis Gymnasium
- Visit Sardis Synagogue
- Visit Sardis Temple of Artemis
- Visit Philadelphia
- Explore Hierapolis
- Visit Philip's Tomb
- Explore Hierapolis Necropolis
- Explore Hierapolis Roman streets
Landmarks Sardis Philadelphia Hierapolis Philip's Tomb - Day 9
Pamukkale to Antalya
Visit Laodicea known as the 'Lukewarm Church,' exploring its ruins, aqueducts, stadium, and gates. Then head to Colossae, the city addressed in the biblical Epistle to the Colossians and connected to Philemon. Later you'll drive to Antalya on the coast for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ramada plaza antalya)
Included Activities
- Explore Laodicea
- Visit Colossae
Landmarks Laodicea Colossae 
- Day 10
Antalya
Visit Perge where St. Paul preached during his missionary work. Drive to Aspendos next to see one of the best-preserved Roman theatres still standing. Later, explore Side where you'll walk through its ancient theatre, Temple of Apollo, and ruins that once had connections to early Jewish communities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ramada plaza antalya)
Included Activities
- Visit Perge
- Explore Aspendos
- Explore Side ancient theatre
- Visit Side Temple of Apollo
Landmarks Perge Aspendos Side Temple of Apollo 
- Day 11
Antalya to Konya
Travel to Psidian Antioch where St. Paul gave his first recorded sermon. From there, head through scenic countryside to Konya (Iconium), a city Paul visited during his missionary journeys.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (HILTON KONYA)
Included Activities
- Visit Psidian Antioch
Landmarks Psidian Antioch Konya - Day 12
Konya to Cappadocia
Spend the day exploring Konya's spiritual sites including the Mevlana Museum, Karatay Medrese, and Ince Minaret. You'll stop at the historic Sultanhani Caravanserai on your way to Cappadocia for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dinler Hotel Urgup )
Included Activities
- Explore Mevlana Museum
- Visit Karatay Medrese
- Visit Ince Minaret
- Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai
Landmarks Mevlana Museum Karatay Medrese Ince Minaret Sultanhani Caravanserai - Day 13
Cappadocia
Start at the Goreme Open-Air Museum and visit Tokali Church, St. Barbara Chapel, and ancient rock-cut churches carved into the stone. Later, explore Avcilar's troglodyte villages, Ortahisar, and Avanos. Finish the day at Pasabag Valley to see the fairy chimneys and St. Simeon Church.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dinler Hotel Urgup )
Included Activities
- Visit Goreme Open-Air Museum
- Visit Tokalı Church
- Visit St. Barbara Chapel
- Explore ancient rock-cut churches
- Explore Avcilar troglodyte villages
- Visit Ortahisar
- Visit Avanos
- Explore Pasabag Valley fairy chimneys
- Visit St. Simeon Church
Landmarks Goreme Open-Air Museum Tokalı Church St. Barbara Chapel Avcilar Ortahisar Avanos Pasabag Valley St. Simeon Church - Day 14
Cappadocia to Istanbul
You have the option to take an early hot air balloon ride over the landscape. Later, visit Kaymakli Underground City and climb Uchisar Castle. In the afternoon, explore Ihlara Valley with its hidden churches and scenic gorge. You'll transfer to Kayseri Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Kaymakli Underground City
- Visit Uchisar Castle
- Explore Ihlara Valley
Optional Activities
- Early morning hot air balloon ride
Landmarks Kaymakli Underground City Uchisar Castle Ihlara Valley - Day 15
Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international departure, concluding your Christian Heritage Tour through Turkey.
- End point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (Istanbul or Saw Airport , 00:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
