DAY1 -ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, meeting and escort to the hotel. Briefing and welcome cocktail (D).

DAY2 -ISTANBUL
We will stop by the Hippodrome,
before proceeding to the Blue Mosque which is famous with its blue tiles. Next we will go to the most impressive of all Byzantine Churches, the St. Sophia and to the Underground Cistern built by Emperor Justinian in 535.
After lunch, St. Chora with the painted aisle is one of the world's major monuments of painting will be our first stop. The paintings date from the second decade of the 14th century, that is to say, the same date as the mosaics in the narthices of the church itself, so that both are closely contemporary with Giotto's famous Arena chapel at Padua. As regards quality the St. Chora paintings are no less outstanding, and the lovely drawing, the delicate, subtle coloring, and the profoundly spiritual content compensate completely for the absence of the interest in three-dimensional form which is to be found in Giotto's work.
Our last stop will be the Süleymaniye Mosque built by the Master Architect Sinan during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. Return to the hotel (B,L,D).

DAY 3 - BURSA
Leaving Istanbul behind us, we drive to Nicea, which was founded around 1 000 B. C. The First and Seventh Councils were held here. We will visit the St. Sophia Church built in the 4th century. The mosaic floor of the church from the 6th century. All the walls and gates dated from the Byzantine era. We proceed to Bursa and check into our hotel (B,L,D).

DAY 4 -AYVALIK
Before we proceed to Troas and Assos, we will visit the Green Mosque (Yesil Camii), the Green Tomb (Yesil Türbe) and the Ottoman House Museum in Bursa which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Troy is the mound of Hisarlık,
also known to the Greeks as Ilion, overlooks the Dardanelles. One of the most famous sites of classical legends. Through detailed observation, archaeologists were able to subdivide Dörpfeld's nine layers into no fewer than thirty habitation levels. Assos perched on a rocky hill which cuts off the Tuzla Stream, from the sea. It was founded by the inhabitants of Methymna, a town on the island of Lesbos. At the end of the 6 century B. C. Assos, like the whole of the Troad, became part of the Persian province of Phrygia and Hellespont. The acropolis of the city is surrounded by magnificent walls more than 3 krn. in length. These walls are the most complete fortifications in the Greek world. St. Paul, arriving on foot from Troy and climbed down to the port on the shore and boarded the boat on his return journey to Jerusalem. The Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the Agora Temple, the Gymnasium and the theater will be the highlights in Assos. St. Paul had a dream during his stay in Troy, then he decided to go to Europe. He stopped and preached here 3 times. Dinner and overnight at Ayvalık (B, L, D).

DAY 5 - İZMİR
This morning we will visit Pergamum which was one of the most brilliant cultural centers of the Hellenistic era (283-133 B.C.). Highlights will include the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the Theater. We will stop by Asklepion coming down the mountain. Asklepion was a leading health center of the ancient world where methods of treatment included music therapy and barefoot walking. Dinner and overnight at Izmir (B, L, D).

DAY 6 - İZMİR
We drive to Sardis which was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. Gyges (680 - 652 B. C.),
the first man to make his mark in Lydian history, is mentioned in the annals of the Assyrian King Assurbanipal.
Sardis came under the sovereignty of Persia, following its capture by Cyrus in 546 B. C. The Persians
transformed the city in the major stronghold of their western empire. The main Royal Road began at
Susa and terminated at Sardis. Within a century, Lydia had become the most powerful state in Asia Minor,
and was to remain so for a long fields, through their invention of minted coinage at the end of the
7th century. Sardis, which had been a very glorious Lydian center in the 7th and 6th centuries B. C. , also
passed through an equally splendid period in the 3rd, 2nd and 1st centuries B. C. like many other towns
in Asia Minor during the Roman era, it became noted for its architecture and prosperity as it
developed. In Byzantine period, Sardis became the center of a diocese. Highlights will be the
Synagogue,Gymnasium, Byzantine Church and the Temple of Artemis. We will then proceed to Thyateria, which was a site for one of the churches of Revelation. Back to Izmir for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 7 - KUŞADASI
On our way to Kuşadası, we stop by the pearl of Aegean - Ephesus. St. Paul's preaching in the area resulted with the uproar of the Guild of Silversmiths and eventually the whole population of Ephesus. Our tour begins with Basilica of St. John "The Evangelist" who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. The Temple of Artemis, considered as one of the seven wonders of the world, was located in Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, the Fountain of Trajan and the Brothel. We wilI also stop by the House of Virgin Mary, where she is reputed to have spent her last years and died (B, L, D).

DAY 8 - KUŞADASI
We start early this morning as we will see three sights today. Our first stop Priene, was built on the Hippodomian system. The atmosphere of the town as it was in antiquity still pervades the well -preserved main roads and streets lined with buildings. Highlights will be the Agora, the Ecclesiasterium and the Temple of Athena Polias.
Further south, we arrive Miletus whose history dates back to 800 B. C. Philosopher Thales, who declared "Know Thyself" and "all things come from water" was born in Miletus. Highlights here
are the Baths of Faustina, the Theater and the Council Chamber.Our next stop Didyma served as a religious sanctuary to God Apollo. Oracular inscriptions indicate dates as far back as 6th century B. C. in Didyma. Return to Kuşadası for dinner and overnight (B,L, D).

DAY 9 - PAMUKKALE
On our way to Pamukkale, we will stop by Aphrodisias lay in the north-eastern confines of Caria, in the vicinity of Meander valley. In addition to well-preserved monuments and much historical information, each investigation has brought to light an unprecedented quantity of sculpture and statuary of the highest quality. During the Roman Empire, there was a school of Sculpture flourishing at Aphrodisias. Highlights are the "Bishops Palace", Odeon and the Theater. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale (B, L, D).

DAY 10 - ANTALYA
The fairy - like panorama and the richness of Roman and Early Christian architectural remains make Hierapolis one of the most famed of the ruins surviving from antiquity.
The city is thought to have been founded by the Pergamone King Eumenes II and named after Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamon. Hierapolis contained a large Jewish element which might have favoured the rapid expansion of Christianity. Nevertheless, it was martyred in A. D. 80. In the Byzantine period, Hierapolis became the seat of a diocese and possessed a large church erected to St. Philip. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Temple of Apollo and the Theater.
On the way to Antalya, we stop at Laodiceia ad Lycum. The ruins are situated on the south bank of the river Lykos. The city was founded by a king of the Seleucid family, very probably Antiochos II, Theos, who named it after Laodiceia, his wife, between 261 and 253 B. C. Laodiceia witnessed the most prosperous period in its history during the 2nd century A. D. The city called itself the "Metropolis of Asia". Laodiceia also enjoyed a brilliant period in early Christian times, where an important council was held in the 4th century A.D. St. Paul wrote a letter to the church here (Acts: 4 : 16). We continue driving to Antalya for a dinner and overnight (B,L,D).

DAY 11 - ANTALYA
Today we will visit three antique cities. Perge is where St. Paul preached after arriving from Cyprus. Highlights are the Gymnasium, the Agora and the Theater. Statue bases recovered in the older gateway of the city and inscribed with the names Kalchas and Mopsos, bear evidence that the Pergaians believed their city was founded by Greek heroes after the Trojan War. Perge reached the peak of its fame in Roman Imperial times, during the first three centuries A. D. Next site on our itinerary is Aspendus. According to Greek tradition, Aspendus was founded by colonists from Argos, under the leadership of Mopsos. The name of the city on coins of the 5th and 4th centuries B. C. is Estwedia. This is probably derived from a certain king called Asitawada or Asitawadia, mentioned in the Hittite hieroglyphic inscriptions found near Adana at Karatepe, dating from the end of the 8th century B. C. Aspendus was the only city besides Side which was minting silver coins by the early 5th century B. C. The Theater, Nymphaeum and the Odeon will be the highlights here. The last antique city we will visit, Side. According to Strabo (XIV 667), Side was founded by the inhabitants of Kyme, an Aeolian city located north of Smyrna. The settlement dates back to the second half of the 7th century B. C.
Highlights will be the Temples of Athena and Apollo and the Theater. Dinner and overnight in Antalya (B,L,D).

DAY 12 - KONYA
On our way to Konya, we will stop by Pisidian Antioch (present day Yalvaç where St. Paul preached and opened Christianity to the world. Pisidian Antioch was founded by Seleukos I or his son Antiochus. The city was built on Hippodamian system. Highlights are the Propylaea of the Acropolis with a number of carved stones and the remains of Byzantine church. We arrive to Konya or ancient Iconium became an important Christian city following St. Paul's preachings. According to a Phyrigian legend, Konya was the first city to be founded after the Flood. St. Paul and Barnabas came here in 47 A. D. and their preaching was accompanied by many miracles. Dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 13 - CAPPADOCIA
Right after breakfast, we drive to Cappadocia and stop at Göreme Valley.
Highlights will be the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Sandals, the Apple Church and the Church with Buckle. Our next stop will be the underground city of Kaymaklı. This is an underground city, carved into soft rocks resembling a huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine-cellars and passages. A huge chimney ventilates this dwelling which was used by Christians hiding from their Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Dinner and overnight at hotel (B, L, D).

DAY 14 - ADANA
Early morning, we will drive to Tarsus. On road, we will stop by the Monastery of Eski Gümüs. Tarsus was the birth place of St. Paul. Tarsus was a university town during St. Paul's time. Highlights here are the St. Paul's Well, Cleopatra's Gate and the Tomb of Sardanapulus. Drive to Adana for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 15 - ADANA
Today we drive to Antioch - on - the Orontes (present day Antakya), Daphne (present day Harbiye) and Seleucia Prieria. Antioch was founded approximately in 300 B. C. It was very open to accept new ideas, philosophies and religions among all the cities in the world of the 1st century A. D. St. Peter, St. Paul and Barnabas all preached Antioch.
This is the very first church in the world named after its founder St. Peter and it is actually a large cave at the bare of a rocky mountain where early believers gathered to hear St. Peter. The word Christians was first coined in Antioch. The museum of Antakya houses a superb collection of mosaics from Antioch, Daphne and Seleucia Prieria. Ancient Daphne was the sacred grove where Apollo tried to rape a nymph with an arrow. The next site we wilI visit today is Seleucia Prieria which was founded by Seleukos I at the beginning of the 3rd century B. C. as a port city of Antioch. The most interesting remain is the Tunnel of Titus. This tremendous canal was dug for diverting waters of the Orontes river. The other highlights here will be the rock - cut tombs from the Hellenistic period. Return to Adana for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 16 - ISTANBUL
Transfer to Adana Airport and flight back to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul (B, L, D).

DAY 17 - ISTANBUL
Transfer (B).