Travels of St. Paul 
Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival and meeting at Istanbul airport, and transfer to hotel. Briefing and welcome cocktail.
Day 2 - Istanbul
Sightseeing in this magnificent city (the highlights will include the Topkapi Palace the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Saint Sophia). (BLD)
Day 3 - Adana
Taking the early flight to Adana and upon landing, we will first stop by Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Highlights here are St. Paul`s Well and Cleopatra`s Gate. Return to Adana for dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 4 - Adana
This morning we drive to Antioch-on-the-Orontes of history or present day Antakya. Among all the cities in the world of the 1st century AD, Antioch offered the most receptive ground for new ideas, philosophies and religions. St. Peter, St. Paul and Barnabas all preached here. This is the very first church in the world named after its founder St. Peter and it is actually a largish cave at the base of a rocky mountain where early Christians gathered to hear St. Peter. The Museum of Antakya houses a fantastic collection of mosaics. Daphne or present day Harbiye, takes its name from a legend which we will tell you while visiting the site. Suffice it to say the site is full of daphne trees! We move on to Seleucia Pieria where Anthony and Cleopatra sailed away following their wedding in Antakya and honeymoon in Daphne. We will return to Adana for dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 5 - Cappadocia
Following an early breakfast we drive to Cappadocia, stopping first at Derinkuyu, an underground city resembling a labyrinth of tunnels, rooms and kitchens, wine cellars and passageways. A huge chimney ventilates this 8-level dwelling. Later on we arrive in Cappadocia whose effect on the first time visitor is that of a celestial landscape. The Apple Church, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Sandals and the Church with a Buckle are the highlights here. Dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 6 - Konya
Konya or ancient Iconium became an important city following St. Paul`s preachings. A legend says that Konya was the first city to be founded following the Flood. Dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 7 - Antalya
Psidian Antioch or present day Yalvac where St. Paul preached and opened Christianity to the world. The highlights will be the propylaea of the acropolis and the remains of a Byzantine Church. Passing by Lake Egridir we arrive in Antalya for dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 8 - Antalya
Today we will visit three antique cities. Perge is where St. Paul preached after arriving from Cyprus. Highlights are the Agora, the Gymnasium and the Theater. Next site on our itinerary is Aspendus. The Theater, Nymphaeum and the Odeon will be the highlights here. The last antique city we will visit, Side, actually means 'pomegranate' and this fruit has been depicted in the coinage found in the area. Highlights will be the Temples of Athena and Apollo and the Theater. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (BLD)
Day 9 - Pamukkale
On our way to Pamukkale (or ancient Hierapolis) we stop by Laodicea. St. Paul wrote a letter to the church here (Acts: 4:16). Laodicea was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Hierapolis became the seat of a diocese during the Byzantine period. At that time there was a large Christian Church dedicated to St. Philip who was martyred here in 80 A.D. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo. Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale. (BLD)
Day 10 - Kusadasi
On our way to Kusadasi, we first stop by Aphrodisias which was an ancient city of learning, sculpture and arts. It is said that the Aphrodisias Stadium is the best-preserved in the world. Upon arriving in Selcuk we will visit the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist and the Museum of Selcuk where some of the finer pieces from Ephesus are kept. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (BLD)
Day 11 - Izmir
After breakfast and before we head for Izmir, first we will visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is reputed to have spent her last years and died. The visit is considered a pilgrimage by the Vatican. You may collect Holy Water from the Sacred Spring. Next we stop by the famous antique city of Ephesus. This is an antique city which is in a very good state of preservation, St. Paul`s preachings in the area resulted with the uproar of the Guild of Silversmiths and eventually the whole population of Ephesus. Highlights are the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Scholastikia Baths and the Theater. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (BLD)
Day 12 - Izmir
Our first visit this morning will be to Sardis which felt the influence of Christianity very early and was included in the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. During Byzantine times it was the seat of a bishopric. Our next stop will be Thyateria or Akhisar which was a site for one of the Churches of Relevation. Back to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (BLD)
Day 13 - Assos
This morning we will visit the hauntingly beautiful Pergamum that rises majestically over the Bergama Plain. Having been one of the richest and most powerful kingdoms of the ancient world, one glimpse will tell you it still retains its grandeur of the past. This is the city which St. Paul referred to as "the seat of Satan". We will also visit the Asclepieum, the famous health center of Pergamum, where methods of treatment included barefoot walking and music therapy. Dinner and overnight in Assos.(BLD)
Day 14 - Istanbul
Before we proceed to Istanbul this morning we drive north to see Assos and Troy. Assos is perched high on a jutting cliff over the blue Aegean and its impressive Temple of Athena overlooks the Island of Lesbos. St. Paul, arriving on foot here from Troy, preached and walked down to the now visibly sunken pier to board the boat which took him to Jerusalem. Moving on, we arrive at Troy. Recent excavations revealed more than ten different civilizations covering 3000 year of man`s existence. The world is indebted to Schliemann for having followed a dream which lead to the discovery of this fabled ancient city. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (BLD)
Day 15 - Istanbul
This day will be a relaxing day starting with a Bosphorus cruise, lunch by the sea side and a visit to the exquisite private collection of Sadberk Hanim. (BLD)
Day 16 - Transfer
* BLD: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Back to Selected Tours
Wishing to explore more of Turkey, you may want to consider connecting the above itinerary with the following Tachda Tours options:
1. The Blue Voyage Yacht Trip. An experience of total relaxation coupled with historical content like Knidos and Caunos.
2. You can extend your stay at an area of your choice. Give Tachda Tours a call if you plan to do so.