The Catholic Heritage of Türkiye (9 Days)

Day 1 | Arrive in Cukurova Airport (Adana) – Adana Overnight

Afternoon: Arrive at Istanbul International Airport and connect to our flight to Cukurova Airport. Upon arrival, claim our luggage, and meet your guide as we exit baggage claim. Board a private touring bus and we will be on our way to Adana for hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Adana. (D)

Day 2 | Adana – Tarsus – Derbe – Konya Overnight

After breakfast, begin our tour in Tarsus – the birthplace of St. Paul. It’s believed that the water of the well in the house of St. Paul is holy. Celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s Church. After Mass, we’ll head to Derbe, one of the famous cities where St. Paul and St. Barnabas preached Christianity (Acts 14:21). Derbe is famed today for the Manazan Caves, where the neglected ancient city with its churches lies at the foot of Karadag. Independent lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll stop at Listra on the way to Konya where St. Paul and St Barnabas had to flee due to persecution. Visit the tomb of Mevlana, the great mystic poet and Islamic spiritual leader who founded the sect of “Whirling Dervishes”. Continue to our hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Konya. (B, D)

Day 3 | Pisidian Antioch – Colossae – Hierapolis – Pamukkale Overnight

After breakfast, we will travel to Antioch in the province of Pisidia. Antioch became one of the first Anatolian cities to accept Christianity. St. Paul came to Antioch in the 1st century AD and chose it as a centre for his missionary activities. Having proclaimed the in the city, St. Paul gave his first sermon to the congregation of a synagogue, on the site of which the first and largest church dedicated to St. Paul was later constructed.  Celebrate Mass outdoors. Independent lunch enroute. We will continue to Colossae, known from the letters of St. Paul.  On to Pamukkale, the cotton fortress, which rises above the fertile Menderes valley. Upon arrival visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Pamukkale. (B, D)

Sample Turkish Delights at the Spice Bazaar and step back into Turkey’s past at Dolmabache Palace. Independent lunch. Continue to Istanbul Airport for our flight to Antalya. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 4 | Laodicea – Miletus – Ephesus – Kusadasi Overnight

After breakfast, we will begin our day with a tour of Laodicea, one of the seven churches of Revelations. Then on to ancient Miletus, once a harbor city, today inland because of the silting process of the Meander River. Miletus was home to many ancient scientists and philosophers, among whom Thales was first to set the principles to understand the world. “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples.” (Act 19:01). Independent lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to Kusadasi, a lively Turkish port and gateway to ancient Ephesus. Our tour takes us to visit Ancient Ephesus, the Greek colony founded by the Athenians. Here history truly comes to life; walking towards the ancient harbor down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots. You pass architectural masterpieces like the Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving to the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. Some time at leisure here. Visit St. John’s Tomb and Celebrate Mass at St. John’s Church or the Holy House of the Virgin Mary. Check-in at hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kusadasi. (B, D)

Day 5 | Sardis – Philadelphia – Thyatira – Izmir Overnight

After breakfast, we begin in Sardis, which was the capital of Lydian Empire. Referred to in the Book of Revelations, with Sardis remaining “one of the most picturesque of any of the Seven Churches”. Celebrate Mass in Sardis.  After Mass, we’ll continue to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, founded by Pergamon King Attalos II for his brother Eumenes. Attalos wanted his new city to become the center of the Greco- Roman Civilization. The sixth letter of the Apostle John to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor was the letter to Philadelphia. Independent lunch. Then, we will continue to Thyatira, the fourth of the seven Churches of Asia Minor to receive an epistle from the Apostle John (Rev. 2:18-29). The letter written to this church is the longest letter of 7 letters. Check-in at our hotel in Izmir. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Izmir. (B, D)

Day 6 | Smyrna – Pergamum – Troas – Canakkale Overnight

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Smyrna which holds a significant place in early church history. It was the home of several early martyr-saints, including Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Continue to Pergamum. Here we will visit Asklepion and the Acropolis.  Celebrate Mass outdoors.  Independent lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to Troy, the immortal city of the legendary Helen of Troy and Trojan House which was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. Then on to Canakkale along the straights of Dardanelles.  Check-in at our hotel in Canakkale. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Canakkale. (B, D)

Day 7 | Istanbul – Istanbul Overnigh

After breakfast, we will cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue driving towards Istanbul. Welcome to Istanbul, a city with a mysterious past, where East meets West and myriads of cultures and blended all into an unmatched splendor. Enjoy first views on the way to our hotel located right in the heart of town. Independent lunch. Enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise, a beautiful way to have a taste of this magic city were East meets West! Celebrate Mass at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. Check-in at hotel in Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 8 | Istanbul – Istanbul Overnight

After breakfast, we begin our day with Mass at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua.

After Mass, we’ll visit St. Sophia—now a museum, the original structure was built by Constantine in 326 A.D., and for 916 years it functioned as a Christian church. With its 184’ dome, mosaics and frescoes, it is considered an architectural wonder. Of it, Justinian stated, “Solomon, I have surpassed you.” Across the street we enter the Yerebatan Sarayi (Underground Cisterns) built during the time of Justinian I and probably by Christians when one considers the way many of the temple columns and capitals are placed. From here we take a short walk along the Hippodrome built in the times of Byzantium for horse and chariot races. Today, on the site of the imperial box seats, is the William II Fountain, and monuments line the field where once as many as 100,000 sat or stood and cheered at athletic competitions. As we continue our walk, we reach Sultanahmet Mosque better known as the Blue Mosque, a name derived from its exquisite, blue-colored tiles decorating the interior of the building, which is further distinguished by its six minarets. Independent lunch. We will head to the Grand Covered Bazaar, a maze of streets and shops under an intricately painted, vaulted roof. It is a world unto itself abounding in the sights, aroma and sounds of old Turkey. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 9 | Departure Istanbul Airport

After breakfast, we will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for our return flight. (B)