TURKEY - THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT PAUL

Day 01 – Istanbul

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel with a Spanish-speaking assistant. Check-in at the hotel. Free day to start exploring a new country at your own pace. Welcome to Turkey. Welcome to the city of two continents (Europe and Asia). Accommodation.

Day 02 – Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore Istanbul at your own pace.
After breakfast, you also have the opportunity to enjoy an Optional Excursion, starting with a tour of the country’s capital: Istanbul. We will begin at Topkapi Palace, the home of Ottoman sultans, known for its beautiful rooms and gardens. Next, we will visit Hagia Sophia, a millennia-old structure that housed the world’s largest dome in the Christian world for 900 years; originally a church, it became a museum and is now a mosque. From its opening in 537 until 1453, Hagia Sophia served as the Byzantine Orthodox cathedral of Constantinople, except during the interval between 1204 and 1261 when it was converted into a Catholic cathedral during the Latin Patriarchate of Constantinople of the Latin Empire, founded by the crusaders. After that, we will head to the Roman Hippodrome, built in 200 AD and enlarged by Constantine the Great. Then, we will visit the Blue Mosque, the most visited mosque in the city, known for its beautiful Iznik blue mosaics. Sultan Ahmed commissioned it to rival Hagia Sophia. Lunch included. In the afternoon, we will visit one of the world’s largest and most spectacular bazaars; the world-famous “Grand Bazaar”. Free time for shopping. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 03 – Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a visit to the Church of St. Savior in Chora; one of the Byzantine churches with fine mosaics and frescoes inside. The church was converted into the Kariye Museum. Later, we will visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, a magnificent work by the notable architect Sinan. We will also visit the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate. In the afternoon, we will explore the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market) and take a cruise on the Bosphorus. Get ready to capture some iconic videos as you are about to sail through the Bosphorus, which divides Istanbul into 2 continents: Europe and Asia. We will board a cruise that will sail along the Bosphorus, where we will have the opportunity to photograph the Ottoman period palaces that line this canal. We will also see Ortaköy Square and cafes, the Mecidiye Mosque, and the impressive bridges connecting the two continents. Return to the hotel, accommodation.

Day 04 – Istanbul-Adana-Tarsus

(IST-ADA flight supplement)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the flight to Adana. On the way, we will visit Tarsus, the city where Saint Paul was born. We will also visit the church and well of Saint Paul. Later, transfer to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Day 05 – Adana – Cappadocia

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, where we will see some churches built into the rocks, displaying frescoes inside. We will also visit the troglodyte village of Uçhisar and then head to Pigeon Valley and take a tour of Devrent Valley. We will continue to the pottery town of Avanos. We will visit an underground city with several levels used by early Christians as a refuge against enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (extra cost): Turkish Night in Cappadocia with an open bar. This incomparable experience offers an exciting night of folk dances in traditional Turkish costumes, including belly dancing.

Day 06 – Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale

Breakfast and departure to Konya, capital of the Great Seljuk Empire, visited by Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas on their first missionary journey. We continue to Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç). This city had a considerable population and had an important Jewish colony. Here Saint Paul delivered his first known sermon in the synagogue of Antioch on the Sabbath. Afterward, arrival in Pamukkale. Dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (extra cost): In the morning, before leaving Cappadocia, there is an opportunity for the world’s most famous Hot Air Balloon Flight to enjoy a wonderful panorama in one of the most beautiful and spectacular regions in the world.

Day 07 – Pamukkale – Laodicea – Miletus – Izmir / Kusadasi

Breakfast. Visit the mountain covered with white limestone deposits that form semicircular pools. These offer a unique and wonderful landscape called the “Cotton Castle”. The ancient city of Hierapolis is also located here. We visit the largest necropolis theater in Anatolia. We also see the Martyrion of Saint Philip, an apostle who was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Domitian. We continue with a visit to Laodicea. This city had one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. Afterwards, we visit the Roman ruins and continue to Miletus, a city renowned as a school of philosophy and where the great philosopher Thales lived. It was also here that Saint Paul delivered his farewell speech to the Ephesians. Arrival in Kusadasi. Dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 08 – Izmir / Kusadasi – Ephesus

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. Here we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; we will also see the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman Baths, and the beautiful Library of Celsus, whose facade is still standing. We will have the opportunity to see the Odeon, the impressive theater that could accommodate 24,000 spectators. We will also visit the Church of the Virgin Mary where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431. Next, we will make one of the most important visits of our tour. It’s time to entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary. Are you ready?. It’s time to visit the last home of the mother of Jesus; the last home of the Virgin Mary. Afterward, we will return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 09 – Izmir – Istanbul

(ADB-IST flight supplement)

Breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit the Church of St. Polycarp. Then, we will enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city of Izmir. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the city that is divided into two continents and is also the capital of Turkey: Istanbul. Accommodation.

Day 10 – Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel. Opportunity to further explore the city of Istanbul. If you fly in the afternoon or evening, you have the option of having a free day to continue exploring the capital at your own pace. Opportunity to visit the Galata Bridge where something unique happens. Take your time to walk across it and enjoy the activity of all the fishermen around you. Get ready to have lunch on two continents at the same time. If you have the opportunity, have your lunch at the restaurants on the Galata Bridge. Then, head to enjoy the atmosphere and commercial activity on one of the most famous streets in all of Istanbul: Istiklal Street. At the agreed time according to your flight schedules, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Includes:

• 9 nights of accommodation in planned hotels or similar with breakfast included.
• 5 dinners at circuit hotels, except in Istanbul.
• Authorized guide who speaks English.
• Transfers with authorized assistant who speaks English (IN-OUT).
• VAT tax.
• Wi-Fi on the bus throughout the tour.
• Natural water bottle (0.5 lt.) per person per day.
• All entrance fees as per the itinerary.

Excludes:

• International and domestic flights.
• Beverages during meals.
• Personal expenses and extra luggage.
• Tips for the guide and driver (45 USD per person).
• Travel and health insurance.

PLANNED HOTELS

• ISTAMBUL: Ramada Plaza Tekstilkent 5*- Pullman Istanbul 5*
• CAPADOCIA: Avrasya Cappadocia 5*- Ramada Cappadocia 5*
• PAMUKKALE: Pam ThermalHotel Pamukkale 5*- Richmond Thermal 5*
• ADANA: Anemon Adana 5*- SurmeliHotel 5*
• ESMIRNA: Hampton ByHilton 4*- Ramada By Wyndham Izmir 4*

Important Notes:

• The first night always excludes dinner, even if the reserved tour includes half board.
• A Spanish-speaking driver during transfers is not guaranteed.
• Transfers included are only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour. Any other day will be charged as an additional transfer.

LA MERCA COMPANY LLC and its subsidiary TIERRA SANTA TRAVEL reserve the right to change the program sequence and hotels without prior notice.

Money will not be refunded for any missed hotel nights, excursions, or meals during the itinerary.