Tours starting either by a flight into Ankara or from Istanbul, we take you on a 15 day tour where we follow the footsteps of St. Paul, see the world- renowned Seven Churches and breathe the same air in the magical historical sites.
As Christians lived for months at a time to escape persecution in the caves of CAPPADOCIA, we visit the area and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with its ancient treasures as well as the hidden valley of ZELVE and the cave churches of GOREME whose Christian frescoes, are as vibrant now as they were in the 7th century. We take you to ascend 8 stories beneath the ground to the city of KAYMAKLI.
Then we take you to ANTIOCH, where St. Paul, Peter and Barnabus preached the word of Christ and so were called Christians. We visit St. Peter’s Grotto the cave church where St. Peter first celebrated the mass.
TARSUS being the birthplace of St. Paul, lies on an ancient route through the mountains trod by both Alexander and the Crusaders.
Being close we add in KONYA, once known as Iconium, an important Christian city. We see the Mevlana Museum and learn about the Whirling Dervishes.
Taking the scenic drive through the Taurus Mountains we visit ANTALYA and ASPENDOS area exploring the nearby Greco Roman remains and the world- renowned Roman theatre and SIDE with its Roman baths and ruins. Then onto PERGE, a city of vast importance during the Hellenistic era and where St. Paul preached his first sermon. We also visit the ancient city of LAODICIA (one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor) and Hierapolis where St. Philip was matyred.
We add in our itinerary PAMUKKALE to enjoy nearby cascading tiers of white limestone pool of natural beauty.
We visit SARDIS and PHILADELPHIA; two of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor en route to or back from Izmir known in ancient times as Smyrna. It is also the city that Paul praised for its faithfulness.
We explore the remains of EPHESUS including sitting in the theater where St. Paul preached, the Basilica of St. John and the home of the Virgin Mary.
Close to Izmir, to visit two more of the Churches of Asia Minor, we add PERGAMUM thriving city in ancient times known for its Asclepion and Thyatira into our itineraries.
Back or from Istanbul, we tour around in IZNIK, once known as Nicaea an important Byzantine town. the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Sophia, seat of the first Ecumenical Council of 325 AD. are the highlights of the town.
ISTANBUL being the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the tour includes the must see historical sites of St. Sophia the first Christian Cathedral, the Undergound Cistern, the Blue Mosque and the treasures of Topkapi Palace.
