Spiritual Journey

Istanbul,once known as an important capital has many unique features. Its the only city in the World to connect two continents,and the only one to have been a capital during consecutive empires, Byzantine and Ottoman. The city still remains the commercial,historical and cultural pulse of Turkey, And its beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern,religious and secular, Asia and Europe, mystical and earthly all co-exist here. After having breakfast there will be a tour to the old city. This is the center from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. First visit of the Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races , athletics) events and political Activities of the old city. Subsequently visit of the Basilica of St. Sophia and Topkapı Palace. Here after visit of the Blue Mosque,the latter one is famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique possibilty in the Grand Bazaar with more than 4000 shops. As well as being the market of old city. Dinner and staying overnight in İstanbul.

Early in the morning, there will be a flight to Hatay. İn Hatay we will visit St. Pierre Church. St. Pierre Church is located on the west side of Asi River and by the west foot of Hac (Staurin) Mountain. The area where the church was constructed is the antique city of Antiokheia. As the Antio kheia got bigger between II. and IV. Centuries, church turned to be in the middle of the city, near the Agora. This means the building was important in the social life of people in that era. Although there is no concrete data on the exact construction date, the oral tradition, historical events and development process of the city suggest that the building was used since the first Christians in Antakya. After we will visit one of biggest Mosaic Museum in Hatay. Dinner and staying overnight in Hatay.

After breakfast our bus will to drive to Adana. We will visit birth place of Apostle Paul (Apostle well ) – Gate of Cleopatra. Dinner and staying overnight in Adana

After breakfast we will drive to Cappocia. In the afternoon we will first visit the Kaymakli underground city which is known as the widest of 40 others in Cappadocia. We wil visit full day city Avanos Love valley – Güvercin Valley . Dinner and stay overnigt in Cappadocia.

Cappadoce displays a beautiful combination of nature and history. The geographic movements have formed the fairy chimneys and during the historical development process, mankind has settled and inhabited these nature wonder. The different settlemenens were adorned with frescos, carrying the traces of their civillizations. Starting from the third centrury BC,Cappadocia also become a religious centre for Christianiy. First visit of the Göreme Open Air Museum, which contains a varied selection of interesting churches carved in the natural stone and under protection. After the visit, we will have some free time at the natural rock citadel of Uchisar, which is the tallest point in Cappadocia and has a wonderful view of the region. We end the day at the Red Valley with its fabulous volcanic rock formations and panoramic View.Rock – Cut hermit churche with frescoes and paitings fit with the valley's meditative atmosphere . We will celebrate the end of a beautiful day by having a glass of local wine here . Dinner and staying overnight in Cappadocia .

We will drive to Konya on the way we wil have a visit of the Sultanhani Kervansarayı . The latter one was built as an accommodation place for tradesman and At the same time it had the function of a castle in times of hostility . After the visit, departure for Konya, the city of whirling derwishes . The city was used to be one of the most import ant trading centres on the Silk Road . Visit of the Mevlana Museum, which has been given as a present by Selcjuk Sultans to the derwishes . In the Afternoon we will drive to Colossae . The Apostle Paul wrote one of his prison epistles to the church at Colossae, a city situated on the Lycus River . Dinner and staying overnight in Pamukkale .

In the morning we will visit Pamukkale . This natural wonder is unıque and famous with its white ravertine terraces . The source rich in minerals has healing power which very early has been discovered . A city called Hierapolis been founded as part of the Pergamon Kingdom . We wiil visit Necropolıs and we will see grave of St Phillips . After drive to Laodicea Laodicea very early became a seat of Christianity and a bishopric . The Epistle to the Colossians mentions Laodicea as one of the communities of concern for Paul the Apostle . It sends greetings from a certain Epaphras from Colossae, who worked hard for the Christians of the three Phrygian cities of Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis . Asking for greetings to be sent to the Laodicean Christians, the writer requests that his letter be read publicly at Laodicea and that another letter addressed to the Laodicean be given a public reading at Colossae Some Greek manuscripts of the First Epistle to Timothy end with the words: "Written at Laodicea, metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana" . Laodicea is also one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation . Dinner and staying overnight in Pamukkale .

Today we wiil dive to Miletus . The new Testament mentions Miletus as the site where the Apostle Paul in 57 AD met the elders of the church of Ephesus near the close of his Third Missionary Journey, as recorded in Acts of the Apostle . Visitancient site Miletus . After drive to Didem Temple .; Dating back to the Neolithic period in history, Didim hosted the settlements of Mycenae, Cretans and then Aka colonies in the 16th century BC . Didim, formerly known as Didyma, was occupied by the Turks after the Roman and Byzantines, but it was again taken by the Byzantines after the first crusade . Dinner and staying overnight in Kusadası .

Today we will have a visit to Efesus . During our walk through the site we will see beautiful temples, agoras marble streets, the Celsus library, theaters etc . In good shape . Only little Imaginationis needed to go some centuries back and feel Daily life in the Roman and Greek period . We will visit House of Virgin Mary – Museum of Efesus and St John Evangilist church . Dinner and staying overnight in Kusadası .

The bus will take us to Thyateira . The fourth Church, ancient Thyatira now lies within Akhisar . The ancient church featured in the book of revelations may be found in modern Akhisar’s Ulu Cami(Great Mosque). The building is a former Byzantine church that was converted following the Ottoman conquest of the region . The Church of Thyatira was told to persist in their beliefs, despite the lack of a strong church in the city . Today there are few suggestions that Christianity once thrived in the region . Jesus’ letter to Thyatira praises the church for having grown in faith and service The church’s downfall was its devotion to a false prophet that led some members to commit idolatry and immorality . After we visit Sardes . Sardis was one of the wealthiest Roman cities in the area . Home to a significant Jewish population, Sardis was a bustling city important to the growth of the Church in the area . Once a thriving trade centre . Dinner and staying overnight in Assos or Ayvalık .

Today will be an exciting day for the mythology fans . There will be a visit to the remnants of the ancientcity of Troy . which is famous with the legendary Trojan Horse . The sories of beautifful Helen, Queen of Sparta, Paris the Trojan Prince and big Trojan war can be imagined while walking on the hill . After visiting Troja we will drive to Bursa old capital city of Ottoman empire . Dinner and staying overnight in Bursa .

Drive to İstanbul we will have a private boattrip on the Bosphorus, through the waterway seperating the two Continents Asia and Europe for nearly 1 – 1,5 hours . Afterwards shopping possibiltyin the spice Bazaar(Egyptian Bazaar) Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices . Subsequently visit of the Choramuseum, the church is dated between 11th – 14th centuries . Besides its attactive exterior, the mosaics and frescoes inside are considered as masterpieces of the Byzantine Renainssance . After the visits there will be some free time at Taksim Square . This is one of the city's focal points for shopping, entertainment and urban promenading and is a fine example of the contrats and compositions old Istanbul with fashion Shops, bookshops, cinemas, markets, restourants dinner and staying overnight in İstanbul .

Transfer to the airport for a flight back Home .