TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 01. Depart USA – Fly Istanbul

Day 02. Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul , your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim. Meet and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Then follows a short orientation tour in the city. Afterwards we will take a leisurely private boat tour along the Bosphorus, a waterway famous not only important for its fisheries but also for its busy shipping traffic between the Black Sea and the Marmara-Aegean Seas to the Mediterranean. From the boat you will see why Istanbul has always been a cultural bridge between the east and west. It is the only city in the world that sits astride two continents ¬¬¬–- Asia and Europe. Istanbul has been the capital of two world empires–-the Byzantine and Ottoman, and you will see wonderful examples of the art and architecture representing these civilizations. This intertwining of ancient and modern produces a city that provides multiple reasons to attract travelers. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

Day 03. Byzantium– Constantinople – Istanbul
Full day tour in Istanbul. Visit the Covered Cistern (Yerebatan Saray), the Golden Mile of the Egnatian Way, Hippodrome Square, where ancient chariot races were held, the architectural wonders of Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque, and the Hagia Sophia, a world heritage site. Among the many artifacts we will see at the Archaeological Museum at the Siloam inscription, the Gezer calendar, and a large mosaic from Jerusalem. Later we will give you the opportunity to shop at the Egyptian Spice Market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul. (B,D)

Day 04. Istanbul – Fly to Antalya – Attalia – Perga – Aspendus
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for TK 412 08:25/09:40 am flight to Antalya. Arrive Antalya at 09:40 am. First there is a morning walking tour of the old city Kaleiçi where we will see the harbor that Paul and Barnabas departed from and Hadrian’s Gate. Then we will walk through the hellenistic gate of Perga, the city visited by Paul visited on his first journey. At Aspendus we will see the best-preserved Roman theater in Turkey, which is still used for musical and theatrical performances. Return to Antalya for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 05. Myra – Andriake – Phaselis – Antalya
Drive west to Demre to visit the ancient site of Myra, the city of St Nicholas. See its lovely Roman theater and Lycian tombs. Then visit Andriake, the ancient port of Myra, where the Austrian Archaeological Institute perform fieldwork since 2005. Here Paul changed ships on his way to Rome. Then drive to Phaselis, another important ancient harbor city 10 miles west of the touristic town of Kemer. After visiting Phaselis, return to Antalya for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 06. Pisidian Antioch – Yalvac Museum – Pamukkale
Drive to Yalvaç to visit Pisidian Antioch and its Museum. Paul preached his first sermon in Acts here. We will see the important imperial cult temple built by Augustus as well as an important church dedicated to Paul in Asia Minor. Later we will drive east to Pamukkale. Today Pamukkale is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swimming is available at the hot spring pool of your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 07. Hierapolis – Laodicea – Colossae – Pamukkale
First we will visit Hierapolis that features the largest necropolis in Turkey. Near its theater in Hierapolis we will always see the newly excavated martyrium of Philip. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his letter to the Colossians. Next we will visit the new excavations at Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches. Then we will drive to Colossae in the Lycus valley to see the location of the unexcavated site. Paul wrote two letters to this city – Colossians and Philemon.
Return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 08. Aphrodisias – Magnesia on the Meander – Kusadasi
Drive to Aphrodisias, where archaeological excavations led by the New York University have unearthed numerous fine marble statues. We will see the best-preserved stadium in Turkey as well as the temple of Aphrodite. We will also visit the newly opened museum that features statues from the Sebasteion. Later we will drive to Magnesia on the Meander near the modern town of Germencik. Continue to Kusadasi, the holiday town on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 09. Miletus – Didyma – Priene – Kusadasi
First we will drive to Miletus to see the well-preserved theater and bouleterion. At Miletus Paul delivered his speech to the Ephesian elders near one of its four harbors. As we approach Didyma, we will see the remains of the Sacred Way that linked Miletus to this ancient oracle site. The temple to Apollo at Didyma is the finest temple in the Aegean region. At Priene we will see the best-preserved Hellenistic theater in Turkey. We will also view the remains of a synagogue in the west residential district. Return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 10. Ephesus – Kusadasi
In the morning we will visit the ancient site of Ephesus. Located near the modern town of Selçuk, Ephesus is considered to be the best-preserved classical city of the eastern Mediterranean. Paul spent nearly three years in the city during his third journey. At Ephesus we will see the Domitian temple, the Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and a theater with a seating capacity for 24,000 people. We will also tour the ongoing excavations at the terrace houses where the rich and famous of Ephesus lived. We will also visit the excellent local archaeological museum, and the site of the temple of Artemis, the largest religious structure of the ancient world. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 11. Kusadasi – Smyrna – Izmir
Drive to Izmir, the third largest city of Turkey. We will visit the ongoing excavations at the Smyrna agora and the ancient acropolis. Then we will have a short walk in Alsancak and Kordon Street at the modern part of the city. Tonight, dinner at an outdoor restaurant. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Day 12. Pergamum – Izmir
Drive north to Bergama to visit the Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches. acropolis, which is set on a hill high above the modern town of Bergama. On the site are its famous ancient library, the Trajan imperial cult temple, the steepest theater in Turkey, and the foundation of the altar of Zeus. We will also see the healing center at the Asclepium. The famous doctor Galen lived and practiced at the Asclepium for many years. After our return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Day 13. Izmir Airport – Departure
Transfer to Izmir Airport for flight back to USA. Arrive back same day late afternoon. (B)