Welcome to Istanbul, where East meets West. Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents ‒ Europe and Asia. The city embodies mystery, intrigue, and glamour which disappeared from most other cities long ago. Staff from Deren Koray Tourism will be waiting for you at Istanbul’s New International Airport to provide transfer services to your hotel for check-in. Once you have checked into your hotel, you will have a welcome cocktail and information session where your guide will answer all your questions and provide you with a lot of information regarding your 2-week tour. Welcome again!

Today’s full-day excursion will start with the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque, an area now called Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which once decorated it only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Remains from the curved-end section of the Hippodrome's wall can be seen on the southwest side of these three monuments. Today the square forms the centre of Istanbul's historical, cultural and touristic activities. You should take particular note of the surrounding wooden houses, particularly the 18th-century ones on Sogukcesme Street.

Next, you will visit the famous Hagia Sophia (Basilica of St. Sophia) - built by Emperor Justinian - which is one of the finest buildings of all time; here you will experience the majestic serenity and be able to explore the fine Byzantine mosaics that make up this building. The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. (Open every day except Monday).

You will also visit one of the great landmarks of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue and white Iznik tiles, and built between 1609 and 1616. Facing St. Sophia stands the supremely elegant, six-minaret, imperial Sultanahmet Mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent panelling, of blue and white Iznik tiles. During the summer months, evening light and sound show both entertain and inform. The cascading domes and four slender minarets of Suleymaniye Mosque dominate the skyline on the Golden Horn's west bank. Considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul, it was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the renowned architect of the Ottoman golden age. On the crest of a hill, the building is conspicuous by its great size, which the four minarets that rise from each corner of the courtyard emphasize.

We will then take an exciting journey underground where hundreds of Byzantine cisterns are left from the days when Istanbul was Constantinople. It is here, below Istanbul, that we will begin your exciting tour with the grandest of all Basilicas – the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıç) - so called because it lay beneath the Stoa Basilica, a grand Byzantine public square. The Basilica Cistern, built by Justinian around 532 AD, is also called the Sunken Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray Sarnıçı). Its impressive size measures 138 meters long and 64.6 meters wide, and it covers an area of nearly 1000 square meters (2.4 acres); it has a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters (over 21 million US gallons) and 336 marble columns. The Basilica Cistern stored water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings. After being forgotten, it was rediscovered by Petrus Gyllius, who came to Constantinople in search of Byzantine monuments.

You will enjoy a special lunch at Konyali, a well-known restaurant near Topkapi Palace; after lunch, we will continue our tour with a visit to Topkapi Palace, which houses galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of gorgeous crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain of the Ottoman era.

You will visit the Harem – the secluded quarters for the wives, concubines and children of the sultan, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury, and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. The word Harem is Arabic, meaning forbidden originally. The Harem was not only an erotic hut, unlike many don't want to believe. It was forbidden for all males, except the black noblemen guarding the sites, the Sultan's private space and his sons. On the other hand, women had no difficulty entering. But there was no way out once you get in. Built in the late XVIth century, the Harem was a maze of about 300 beautifully tiled rooms, connected by courtyards and wells. More than 1.000 harem women, children and black eunuchs were at home in its height or gilded cage we say. After the admission of Harem, the girls were trained and converted into Islam and they received adequate palace training. Interesting story.

We will now return to your hotel to prepare for dinner and to have a relaxing enjoyable evening. At night we will attend an informative light and sound show in front of the Blue Mosque.

Today, early in the morning we will provide your transfer to Sabiha Gökçen Airport for your domestic flight to Tarsus which is the home of Sait Paul. Have a lovely flight!

Welcome to Adana Şakir Paşa Airport. drive to Tarsus, which is the home of Saint Paul, In the morning we’ll depart for Tarsus situated East of Mersin, on the edge of fertile Cukurova Plain, as the birthplace of St. Paul. Of ancient origin, the city was invaded and destroyed on several occasions and only a few monuments of particular interest remain: The Cleopatra Gate thru which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra passed when they came to Tarsus to meet, an ancient church, and the Ottoman Ulucami. You’ll get the feel of bygone days by walking thru narrow streets past old houses to find St. Paul’s well. En route Eski Gumus Monastery and arriving Tarsus. Visiting the birthplace of St. Paul and in order to make this trip spiritual, drink the holy water at that point. (Tarsus: Acts: 9:11, 30, 11:25, 21:39, 22:3, 25-29)

After Tarsus, it's time drive to the resort town of Seleucia Peria (Çevlik), with its pristine beach. Seleucia Peria was founded around 300 BC; St. Paul of Tarsus and St. Barnabas sailed from this port on their first missionary journey in 45-46 AD. The city was Christianized early.

The most interesting monument to see is the Tunnel of Titus, built to divert rainwater; even by today’s standards, it is a tremendous engineering achievement.

We will then proceed to the Kapısuyu village for a spectacular panoramic view of the sandy beach and fertile plain from the Zeus Temple of the ancient harbour.

After a break for lunch in Seleucia Peria, we will drive back to the holy city of Antioch, which lies on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile plain and surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Antioch was featured prominently in early Christianity due to the fact that Barnabas, St. Paul and St. Peter all visited and preached here. Antioch had a large population of Jewish origin in a quarter called the Kerateion, and so attracted the earliest missionaries including St. Peter, the greatest of all evangelists; the converts of this region were the first to be called Christians. Antioch, founded near the end of the 4th Century BC by Seleucus I Nicator (one of Alexander the Great’s generals), was once the capital of the Seleucid kings and notorious for its wealth and luxury in Roman times; the city continues to thrive with commerce and culture. Antioch’s geographic, military and economic location (particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, and the Persian Royal Road), benefited its occupants.

About 700 years later, the Roman Emperor Constantine I Pontifex Maximus (the evil high priest of the pagan mystery religion), had incorporated the ancient religion of Roman pagan gods, polytheism, with the new Christian faith monotheism; he declared the observance of the eastern sun-worship day as Sunday, added Christian symbols as personal attributes with his Apollonian sun-rayed Diadem, summoned the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, changed the Roman Calendar to the solar Julian calendar over the lunar Hebrew, and declared regions and cities like Antioch as holy. You will enter Antioch through the actual gate -called the Iron Gate -which is situated southbound of the church. Since little has changed here, you can feel the spirits of the saints who walked through these streets. In 1983 the church was declared a holy site by The Vatican. (Antioch: Acts 6:5, 11:19-20, 11:26, 13:1-3, 15:1-2, 22-25), (Seleucia Peria: Acts 13:4)

It is now time to visit the Roman Mosaic Museum, considered to be one of the best in the world. It is known for its extensive collection of Roman and Byzantine Era mosaics.

Good morning. We will begin our day by driving to holy Cappadocia. Our drive Cappadocia where we will explore the Underground City, Derinkuyu in Göreme. Get ready to experience the eight layers of this very impressive hidden city! Here you will see miles of tunnels and grape-treading St. Peter’s Church Cappadocia areas in this lighted city. See the deceitful pathways and hidden corners used to fool the enemy so that the early Christians could defend themselves from persecution. Derinkuyu, one of the deepest, most extensive and amazing underground cities of Cappadocia, was discovered in 1966 during an excavation. This underground city has eight levels and lots of secret corridors. The floors include the churches, kitchens, places to tie up prisoners, sections for animals. Turkey's Cappadocia region is famous for its subterranean safe cities carved from soft tuff. These underground cities are the most interesting cultural richness of Cappadocia. Not to be missed!

En route to our hotel, we will pop in one of the most notable landmarks of Cappadocia, that's Uçhisar Castle. Uçhisar is first mentioned in a 14th-century chronicle by Aziz ibn Ardasir. The general area had been occupied much earlier, however. The Hittites may have used the natural structures of the cliffs as refuges and strongholds against possible attacks. In the seventh century AD, the Byzantines created a 'buffer zone' in the area against Islamic expansion. The nature of the terrain was conducive to defence, while the camouflage of the buildings provided an improved defence against attackers. After their conquest of the region, the Muslims also made use of the defensive possibilities of the area, creating small centres with caravanserais in the region. Today, for those who climb the steps to the top of the Uchisar Fortress, the whole region unfolds below. Rugs and kilims, and popular souvenirs can easily be purchased from the shops which line Uchisar's narrow streets.

We will start our day with a visit to Göreme Valley where you will walk the exciting pathways and tunnels that lay among the fairy chimneys. We will also visit the churches that house gorgeous frescoes dated back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Goreme, known in Roman times as Cappadocia, is one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the natural surroundings. Dwellings have been hewn from the rock as far back as 4,000 B.C. During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, their ochre toned frescoes reflecting the hues of the surrounding landscape. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tuff merge harmoniously into the landscape. The town of Goreme itself is set right in the middle of a valley of cones and fairy chimneys. Some of the cafes, restaurants and guest houses are carved into the rock.

After a delicious lunch, we are off to the Göreme Open Air Museum where, in the 3rd century, priests with good character changed the region into a lively centre of Christian activity. Cappadocia became known as the land of the three saints in the 4th century - the Great St. Basil, Bishop of Kayseri; his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa; and St. Gregory of Nazianus. St. Basil founded small, secluded settlements far away from villages and towns where daily worship was carried out under the supervision of a preacher. These groups were not, however, privileged groups separated from the community like similar communities in Egypt and Syria. St. Basil is important in that he introduced worship within the community in the churches of Cappadocia. The Göreme Open Air Museum is the place where this kind of religious education was started.

The Göreme Open Air Museum is the place where this kind of religious education was started. The same model was then introduced in Soğanlı, Ihlara and Açıksaray. Churches in this area include the Tokalı (buckle) Church; the Nunnery and Monastery; the Chapel of St. Basil; Elmalı “apple” Church; Chapel of St. Barbara’ Yılanlı “serpentine” Church (of St. Onuphrius); Karanlık “dark” Church; Chapel of St Catherine; and Çarıklı “sandal” Church.

Today we will first drive to Sultanhan which is the largest of the caravanserais. With the arrival of the Seljuk Turks in the area in the 11th century, madrasahs, dervish lodges and caravanserais began to appear. Caravanserais were the guardian of the Silk Road and held a prominent place among the glories of Seljuk architecture. Located between Kayseri and Konya, two important towns of the Seljuk period on the Silk Road, Aksaray was famous for its caravanserais, which gave their names to the towns or villages around them. It was also here that the first and greatest examples of the Sultans' inns were built-structures that would have a defining influence on the architecture of Seljuk. The Sultanhani (Sultan's Inn) of Aksaray, built-in 1229, shows how each Seljuk caravanserai was a work of art, besides being a structure for trade and security. Time to drive to Lystra, which is an unexcavated mound. In the Byzantine period, Lystra was second only to Iconium in the region.

The fact that the city continued to retain its Lycaonian flavour is seen by the experience of Paul and Barnabus when they visited the city during their first journey. After a crippled man was healed at the city gate, the crowd believed that their local patron deity Zeus and his messenger Hermes had visited them in human form, so they shouted accolades to them In the Lacanian language Timothy of Lystra was raised in Lystra by his Jewish grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. Timothy undoubtedly met Paul on his first visit to this city and later became a believer, like his mother and grandma. Timothy joined Paul and Silas, at Lystra, on their second journey because he was spoken well of by the believers in Iconium and Lystra (acts 16-2). Timothy became Paul’s trusted coworker and son in the faith; Paul wrote two books to him – 1 and 2 Timothy, and he was co-author with Paul of six books in the New Testament - 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

After lunch, we will drive to Iconium where a church was founded in the city during Paul’s first journey. He later visited the city on his second journey and most probably on his third Journey as well. Paul experienced great suffering and persecution in Iconium as well as in Antioch and Lystra. Iconium is also the home of Saint Thecia who was also an associate of Paul. The apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecia (2nd and 3rd centuries AD) recounts her story. A visit to the Mevlana Tomb is optional but advisable. (Iconium: Acts 13:51, 14:1-6, 19, 16:2, 11 Timothy 3:11)

Good morning!. Today's journey will begin with a drive to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul and Barnabus arrived around 46 AD. In the book of Acts, Paul’s first and longest recorded sermon was delivered at the Synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. The book of Acts implies that he visited the city again on his two later journeys while travelling to points further west. In the Acts of St. Paul and Thecla, Thecla was condemned by the Roman governor who was in Pisidian Antioch attending an exhibition of wild beasts (venatio). After being rescued by the Pontiac queen Tryphena, Thecla later served with the Apostle Paul in the ministry of the region. (Pisidian Antioch: Acts 13:14-52, 11, Timothy 3:11)

We will drive to Colossae (which is just a mound). Paul evidently had a close relationship with the Church in Colossae through its founder Epaphras, although it is possible he never visited. Paul’s shortest letters are addressed to a man named Philemon who, with his wife Apphia, hosted a house church in Colossae. We will have lunch in Colossae and then continue on to Laodicea,

Laodicea, where Paul’s letter to the Colossians was to be read to the Church in Laodicea (Colossians 4:16). Some Scholars have suggested that that the circular letter to the Ephesians is the letter “from Laodicea” mentioned in the same verse. One reason for his is that Paul said he never personally met the audience addressed in Ephesians; that raises the question of how Paul could not know this audience if he had lived in Ephesus for almost 3 years. Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation. About 166 AD, a bishop named Sagaris was martyred in Laodicea. The Council of Laodicea met here in 363 AD; this regional synod of 30 bishops issued 59 canons that dealt largely with the conduct of church members. These canons were later affirmed at the council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. (Laodiceia: Revelation 3:14-22), (Hierapolis: Colossians 2:18, 4:13, Colossae: Colossians),

Our first exploration of the day will be Hierapolis, where the St. Philip Martyrium is located. We will visit the travertines and the Ancient City of Hierapolis, which was an ancient Greco-Roman city in Phrygia located on hot springs in southwest Anatolia. Hierapolis, now a museum, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the famous home and burial ground of St. Phillip. The hot springs in Hierapolis have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BC, where people came to soothe their ailments; many of them retired or died here. As a result, Hierapolis has the largest Nekropol (with 1200 gravestones) in Anatolia, which is filled with sarcophagi, including the Sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos. The sacred pool and the shallow thermal waters that ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins which lie beneath the water, are also in Hierapolis. (Laodiceia: Revelation 3:14-22), (Hierapolis: Colossians 2:18, 4:13, Colossae: Colossians)

The impressive Antique Pool was shaped by an earthquake in the 7th century AD, which is where the marble portico fell into the spring as a result of that earthquake.

The presence of a Jewish community is suggested by the menorahs and other Jewish symbols that decorate some of the sarcophagi and tombs in the Necropolis. Hierapolis is one of the three churches of the Lycus River Valley mentioned In Colossians. Epaphras apparently founded these churches while Paul was ministering in Ephesus (Colossians 4:12; Philemon 23; cf Acts 19:10).

We will lunch in Hierapolis and then drive to the church of Philadelphia, which stood at an important junction of the imperial post road that ran from Rome through Troas, Pergamum, and Sardis, on through to Tarsus and eastward. As a result, they had an open door through which to share the gospel. Here, too, sits another synagogue of Satan that opposed the believers. Although no archaeological evidence for a synagogue has been found, a 3rd-century AD inscription was found 10 miles east of the city mentioning a “synagogue of the Hebrews”. Philadelphia was located in an earthquake-prone region called the Catacecaumene. Both Sardis and Philadelphia were devastated by earthquakes in 17 AD. Asian temples were then built to withstand severe earthquakes by having their foundations laid on beds of charcoal covered with wool fleeces, which caused the structure to “float” on the soil like a raft; each block was joined to another by metal clamps that made the platform one unit.

The temple was built so that it would be the most secure structure in the city, hence the promise that a pillar in the temple of God was one of security and safety. Inscribed pillars are found throughout Aegean Turkey; a dramatic example of this can be found in the temple of Zeus at Euromos with inscriptions of dedication on ten of the eleven standing pillars. Philadelphia received a new name, twice, during the first century; the first time after the 17 AD earthquake to “Neocaesarea” in gratitude for Tiberius’ generosity, the second time to “Flavia” after Vespasian gave financial assistance following a similar catastrophe.

We now drive to Sardis, where your thoughts will turn to the Old Testament period following the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC; it was at this time when the phrase “rich as Croesus” originated. Croesus (560-546 BC) was the king of Lydia, and Sardis, his capital, was situated on the Sart Çayi (the Pactole River). Gold was discovered in the Pactole River at Sardis and it was here that coinage, as we know it, began; the first coins were minted in Sardis. Cyrus and the Persians defeated and captured Croesus for all his wealth, and made Sardis the administrative centre for the western part of their empire. The fabled “Royal Road” connected Sardis with the Persian cities to the East. Sardis was the hardest hit of the twelve cities destroyed in the earthquake in 17 AD. Emperor Tiberius, according to the Annals of the historian Tacitus, gave much relief towards its rebuilding. Your visit to Sardis will include the imperial court and the ancient Jewish synagogue.

Temple of Artemis where you have the opportunity to read the prophetic Scripture. Well, The church in Sardis had become dead in spite of its reputation. The city’s acropolis had fallen twice before because Sardis had fallen asleep and let down her guard; Cyrus defeated Croesus in 546 BC and the Cretan general Lagoras captured it for Antiochus the Great in 218 BC. Greek cities maintained a list of citizens in a public register. When someone committed a criminal action and was condemned, that person lost his/ her citizenship and their name was erased from the register. The believers who persevered would never be blotted from the eternal book of life. Sardis was noted as a textile centre, producing wool to make the ‘himation’, the most common outer garment for men and women in the Greco-Roman world. Since the colour white in the Book of Revelation always denotes purity and worthiness, it was only appropriate that white garments would be a suitable reward for the victors.

We finish our day with a drive to Şirince Village, where you will check-into your hotel, have a delicious meal, and prepare for the next’s day journey. This lovely traditional Anatolian village has many things to tell you. Imagine a natural village where you can discover typical Turkish village life and traditional Anatolian houses surrounded by nature. The village offers great views, lovely food, entertainment and so many more. Perhaps the perfect synthesis between a Turkish traditional village and a Greek traditional village. Actually, the village, the name of which in Turkish really means "sweet," used to be known as "Cirkince," which means "ugly," an ironic impression on the beauty of the village and also used to prevent others. As people knew that the town's site and architecture were really awesome, in 1926 they changed their name into Sirince. The village is located on a hill, approximately 12 km away from Ancient Ephesus. The traditional village style architecture is special.

Your morning will be absorbed with excitement as we visit the famous ruins of Ephesus, home to the Third Ecumenical Council, which was held in 431 AD under Emperor Theodosius II (grandson of Theodosius the Great) and attended by 200 Bishops; this is also where St. Paul preached. Ephesus is an ancient city that will capture your awe and imagination as you browse the marble-paved streets of ancient times. The city of Ephesus, once the commercial centre of the ancient world, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis; her enormous temple was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The East Gymnasium, the State Agora, the remains of the Temple of Isis (Goddess of Egypt), the Heracletes Gate, Curates Street, Scholastic Baths, the well-preserved two-story Celcius Library, Marble Road, the great theatre-that continues to host live concerts and festivals, Arcadian Way that was once lined with shops leading the way to the harbour will be in our agenda in Ephesus.

The Basilica of St. John was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modelled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. (Ephesus: Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7, Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41, Ephesians)

Our next stop is the Aziziye Restaurant for a special Turkish lunch followed by a visit to an authentic Carpet Village; here you will have the opportunity to view the local craftspeople create gorgeous authentic Turkish Carpets before your very eyes! You will be amazed as you see the process used for dying the threads and the creativity involved as you watch the carpet weavers work with their specially dyed cotton and silk threads. You will soon learn why carpet weaving is an art and why each carpet exudes energy all its own.

This very special tour will now peak at the Virgin Mary’s House, recognized by the Catholic Church as the last residence of the Virgin Mary after Christ’s death, and visited by Pope Paul VI, Pope Jean-Paul and Pope Benedict XVI; the tranquil grounds, as well the special energy experienced inside the church is sure to be one of the major highlights of your day. The Virgin Mary’s house, which is considered a pilgrimage site for Catholics gives you the opportunity to drink holy water from the sacred spring located on its holy grounds; the water from the sacred spring is believed by many to possess special healing powers where many have proclaimed a cure for many serious ailments. Tears will surely fill your eyes as you see the crutches and other items left by those who experienced what is believed to be a miraculous healing.

It is time to return to your hotel, where you can freshen up and prepare for dinner, after which you can stroll around Kuşadası, or enjoy your hotel facilities. You are sure to end your day lying back and reminiscing a wonderful spiritually enhanced day.

On our way to Thyatira, you will see beautiful panoramic views of Smyrna; it is here that Paul, after leaving Ephesus, probably followed the coastal road north through Smyrna. Smyrna was the second of the Seven Churches mentioned In Revelation; however, no archaeological evidence exists yet for a synagogue (“of Satan”; Revelation 2:9). As we drive through Smyrna you will see beautiful panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and all of Smyrna. This is also where the original city was established in the third millennium B.C. and at that time shared, with Troy, the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. By 1500 B.C. it had fallen under the influence of Central Anatolia's Hittite Empire. In the first millennium B.C. Izmir, then known as Smyrna, ranked as one of the most important cities of the Ionian Federation; during this period - one of the city's most brilliant - it is believed that Homer resided here. (Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11)

Our next visit is the church in Thyatira, which was plagued by a false prophetess symbolically named Jezebel – after the evil queen of Israel who worshipped idols. She, along with the Nicolaitans, advocated compromise with certain pagan practices. Meat in the ancient world was dedicated to the gods at the pagan temples before it was sold in the public markets; many Christians refused to eat such meat sacrificed to idols.Thyatira was known for its trade guilds, which would hold banquets in the pagan temples. After eating and drinking, the diners often engaged in sexually immoral acts on the couches (klinai) where they lay. Jezebel and the Nicolaitans apparently condoned such behaviour due to a false understanding of the ‘freedom in Christ’. (Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29, Acts 16-14)

Following Thyatira, we will arrive in Pergamum where you will have a most memorable experience visiting its Acropolis and the steepest Theater. Pergamum is described in Revelation as “the seat of the throne of Satan” in reference to the altar of Zeus, where we pause for reflection on the fulfilment of Scripture. Nearby, we will visit the Red Basilica, once a pagan temple; it was later converted into a Christian church.

The church in Pergamum existed in the place where Satan had his throne. This reference probably does not refer to the altar of Zeus that sat atop the thousand-foot acropolis that towers over the lower city. Rather it refers to the city as the seat of the provincial koinon, or assembly, whose leader was also the chief priest, “the beast out of the earth,” of the imperial cult— the first cult temple in Anatolia. The Roman governor of Asia, Fabius, exercised the power of life and death - the “right of the sword” (ius gladii) - in his province, and the imperial cult temple housed a white stone stele inscribed with a decree issued by Fabius around 9 BC. Jesus stated that He held even higher authority with his sharp, double-edged sword.

One church leader named Antipas had already been martyred in the city; Antipas is the only person named in the Book of Revelation as a martyr. It was decreed that Augustus’ birthday be made an official holiday in Asia as well as mark the beginning of the municipal new year. The birth of Caesar Augustus was called the beginning of life and breath), and his birthday was declared the beginning of good news for the world. The emperors made the same claims to the deity as Jesus Christ! Pergamum was an ancient Kingdom dated back to 323 BC. This Hellenistic city was the centre of culture, commerce and medicine with its philosophers, scientists and artists like Galen (131-210 AD).

Other points of interest in Pergamum include the Asclepion, the ancient hospital, the Acropolis, the Church at the site of Serapium (the Red Court dedicated to St. John).

We will now drive to Assos where you will check into your hotel and prepare for a delicious dinner and relaxing evening.

Good morning. Today we will first explore Assos, where the Apostle Paul walked from Troas on his return to Jerusalem during his third journey. You will visit the beautiful harbour where Paul rejoined with his fellow workers before sailing on to Mitylene, the main port of Lesbos. Assos is also where Aristotle found a school of philosophy. The whole city is truly spectacular and features the lovely Ottoman town of Behramkale on top of it as it all winds down, past his school, past the theatre down to the beautiful Aegean Sea, where Assos doubles as a seaside resort.

We will continue our journey to Troas, Alexandria. Paul, after being prevented by the spirit from preaching in Asia and Bithynia, arrived in Troas with Silas and Timothy. They had traveled almost 1000 miles (1600 km) from Antioch on the Orontes and still had not reached their destination. At Troas, Paul had the night vision of a Macedonian man inviting him to come to Macedonia. The apostolic party soon left Troas sailing past Samothrace to Neapolis.

Paul met Luke at Troas because the so-called “we” sections in the book of Acts begin here. Luke was called the beloved physician and later became a coworker of Paul. The “we” section suggests that Luke traveled with Paul on several of his journeys. A detailed account of Paul’s visit to Troas during his return to Jerusalem on the third journey is given in Acts. The church in Troas was gathered on the Sabbath in a third-story room of an insula or Roman apartment house. Around midnight Eutychus fell asleep in a window sill and plunged apparently to his death. Through Paul’s prayers, the young man was miraculously raised and the apostle continued preaching until daybreak.

After lunch, we will take a short side-trip to the city of Troy, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and where a large wooden horse designed by Izzet Senemoğlu has been erected to recall the legend of how King Priam’s great city was conquered by a ruse. Excavations have revealed nine levels at Troy, the earliest from the Early Bronze Age around 2920-2350 BC. Troy VI (1300-1100 BC) is the level most associated with the period of Homer’s Troy. The Iliad, which recounts the story of Priam, Helen, Paris, Achilles, and Agamemnon, has had a great literary influence on Western civilization. We now continue to Çanakkale for your hotel check-in and a nice dinner. Overnight in Çanakkale.

Be prepared for a beautiful 4-hour scenic journey to Iznik, where you will have an enjoyable lunch. Our first stop after lunch will be Nicaea, an important place for Christians since two Ecumenical Councils were held here – the First Ecumenical Council of 325 AD under Emperor Constantine the Great with 318 Bishops and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 AD under Empress Irene with 367 Bishops. While in Iznik we will visit a unique tile manufacturer where you will have the rare opportunity to experience authentic local inspirational writing artists. This visit will have an even greater impact on you when we visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul where you will see the famous Iznik tiles.

We will next drive to Yalova where we travel by car ferry to Istanbul, or alternatively we may use Osmangazi Bridge that connects us to the paradise of two continents. We will transfer you to your hotel, located in the historic district of Sultanahmet. Check-in and dinner will be served in hotel.

We will begin our day with a visit to the Chora Chuch of the Divine, also called The Church of the Holy Saviour, which is considered one of the most beautiful surviving examples of a Byzantine church. In the 16th century, the church was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman rulers and it became a secularised museum in 1948. The interior of the building is covered with some of the finest mosaics and frescoes. The Chora Church is not as large as some other Byzantine churches in Istanbul (it covers 742.5 m²), but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the beauty of its interior. The building is divided into three main areas: the entrance hall (narthex), the main body of the church (naos), and the side chapel (parecclesion). The building has six domes: two in the exonarthex, one in the parecclesion and three in the naos. Our visit to the Chora Church of the Divine will be followed by a delicious lunch at a speciality restaurant in the area.

Get ready for a shopping extravaganza after lunch, as we visit the fabulous Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops and specialities that include the Orient Cafe, the Marble fountain, the interior bedesten (market), the Sandal bedesten, specialty Turkish Delight and traditional Turkish Tea (çay) Shops, small caravansaries, and mosques which are all simply exquisite. The Egyptian Bazaar is nothing less than a pure paradise for the shopping enthusiast. The Kapali Carsi, or Covered Bazaar, in the old city houses more than 4,000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers' street, the street of the skullcap makers. Still the commercial centre of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and pocket. Turkish crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant hand-painted ceramics, copperware, brassware, and meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs and gifts. Ready to get lost?

After shopping, we will return to your hotel to prepare for the wonderful evening ahead.

A very special dinner is planned onboard a Turkish Entertainment and Extravaganza Dinner Cruise where you will sail the beautiful Bosphorous while taking in the breathtaking views of Istanbul at night. An outstanding mix of exciting city lights, incredible sites along the Istanbul shore, a lavish Turkish dinner and a Turkish show extravaganza is yours to experience on your last evening in Turkey!

Thank you for allowing us to share all these memorable moments with you. We hope that we have been able to give you some very unique spiritual insights and meaningful memories that will last a lifetime! Your flight home is sure to be a period of reminiscence where everything you have seen and experienced during your tour will be reexperienced and take its rightful place in you mental and spiritual archive. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul. We would like to thank you for choosing Turkish Travel and we hope to see you again soon for another Specialty Tour!