Day
1 & 2 |
EN ROUTE TO ISTANBUL
We will rendezvous this evening at New York's JFK International Airport and prepare for our flight to Istanbul and the start of our Walking Adventure in this ancient and intriguing corner of the Mediterranean. We arrive in Istanbul late in the day, just in time for dinner and an enchanting evening stroll in the old section formerly known as Constantinople.
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Day
3
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ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL
Historic Istanbul Walk, 3 miles
Many of the wonders of Istanbul will be explained today on an all-day walking tour with visits to attractions in the oldest part of this gateway to Asia. Along the way we'll see the exquisite treasures of Topkapi Palace, for centuries the palace of the Sultan; massive architectural marvel Hagia Sophia, first a Byzantine church, now a mosque; the spectacular Blue Mosque; and the intriguing 6th century Underground Cisterns.
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Day
4
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ISTANBUL-IZMIR
Ancient Pergamum Stroll, 3 miles
An early morning flight takes us to Izmir to visit the first two churches of the Revelation-Thyatira and Pergamum. Though the meager ruins of Thyatira require a healthy imagination to envision Rome's golden age, our second stop at the acropolis of Pergamum offers one of the most dramatic sites in Turkey. Here we'll visit the site of the greatest library of the ancient world, the famous Asclepion (hospital) of the physician Galen, and the Church of ancient Serapium (7th century).
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Day
5
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ACTIVITIES FROM IZMIR
Before Sardis received the admonition of the Holy Spirit in the third chapter of Revelation, the fifth church of the Revelation was the capital of the Lydian Empire (King Croesus) and one of the great cities of the ancient world. From the extensive ruins of Sardis (present day Sart), we'll continue to Philadelphia to wander the ruins of a Byzantine-era basilica and discuss how the sixth church listed in Revelation became one of only two that escaped John's criticism.
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Day
6
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IZMIR-KUSADASI
Ancient Ephesus Stroll, 2 miles
Present-day Izmir was the site of Smyrna, the second church listed in John's account. We'll visit 2nd century ruins of this Roman city and a church named after Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John and one of the first Christian martyrs. Later today, we'll stroll the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities from the Roman era. The amphitheater where the apostle Paul was nearly executed during the riot of the idol-making silversmiths is still in good condition.
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Day
7
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KUSADASI-PATMOS
This morning, a private ferry takes us across the beautiful Aegean Sea to the Greek island of Patmos. Here, we'll visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Apocalypse, and the Cave of the Revelation around which it was built. This special place is believed to be the spot where the exiled Apostle John penned his inspired message of the Last Days.
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Day
8
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PATMOS-PAMUKKALE
Another early departure returns us to the Turkish mainland where we will continue east to two major Hellenistic sites. Aphrodisias hosted a shrine as early as 5800 BC, but its golden era began in the 1st century BC and produced one of the best- preserved stadiums of the classical period. Nearby Hierapolis was popular for its thermal springs, and you'll be invited to swim in this magical setting. The water is crystal clear and the floor of the pool is littered with fragments of marble columns. Also of great interest is the 5th century Martyrium of St. Philip, built to commemorate the site where the apostle was martyred in AD 80. The startling white travertine terraces of nearby Pamukkale are one of Turkey's most photographed sites, and the setting of tonight's hotel.
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Day
9
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PAMUKKALE-ANTALYA
We visit the last of the seven churches today at Laodicea. The prosperity generated by the city's strategic location at the junction of trade routes diluted the commitment of the church there, prompting John to scold them for their "luke-warm” faith. Laodicea was also home to the Roman poet and statesman, Cicero, during his last years. From Laodicea, we continue toward the Mediterranean coast for two nights in charming Antalya, one of Turkey's premier resorts.
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Day
10
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ACTIVITIES IN ANTALYA
Our first stop today is the award-winning Antalya Archeological Museum. We'll see a unique collection of Roman marble sculptures, Bronze Age urn burials, relics of the original St. Nicolas
(from nearby Myra), and much more. After a visit to Aspendos to marvel at its unique theater and aqueduct, we'll stop at Perge, one of the cities Paul visited with Barnabas and John Mark on Paul's first missionary journey around AD 47.
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Day
11
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ANTALYA-CAPPADOCIA
Following a morning flight to Ankara, the nation's capital, we'll enjoy a visit to one of the region's most renowned archeological collections, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, filled with artifacts of the Hittite Civilization and earlier, dating to the Paleolithic Age. An afternoon drive takes us deep into the storied Cappadocia district, justly famous for its soft volcanic tuff landscape with underground cities and bizarre formations sculpted by the elements.
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Day
12
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ACTIVITIES IN CAPPADOCIA
Red Valley Hermits & Hoodoos Walk, 5 miles
An optional hot air balloon ride over beautiful Cappadocia will be followed by our first group activity of the day, an unforgettable walk through a delightful fairyland of tuff spires and shapes in the Red Valley. After lunch, we'll descend into the amazing underground city of Kaymakli, where Christians retreated to a maze of living and storage rooms to escape invaders some 1300 years ago. The second part of today's walk takes us through remote Soglani Valley, a peaceful and picturesque rock settlement with hidden churches and a myriad of pigeon houses.
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| Day
13 |
CAPPADOCIA-ISTANBUL
Pigeon Valley Fairy Chimneys Walk, 5 miles
Our second day in Cappadocia begins with another memorable walk through Pigeon Valley to Uchisar, renowned for its natural rock fortress. The afternoon visit to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, with its early Byzantine rock churches and fairy chimneys, will be a highlight of our visit. An opportunity to watch local artisans at work creating carpet and earthenware masterpieces precedes an evening flight back to Istanbul.
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| Day
14 |
ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL
A private cruise along the Bosphorus this morning opens our eyes to more of Istanbul's wonders-opulent palaces, exquisite mosques, and imposing fortresses which line the shores of this fabled water link between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and the continents of Europe and Asia. A visit to the 14th century Chora Church to view the unearthly beauty of the most impressive frescoes of our trip will be followed by an opportunity to lose yourself in the labyrinthine tunnels of the 15th century Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered marketplace in the world. Later this evening, we'll reminisce about our adventures together during our Farewell Dinner.
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Day
15
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ISTANBUL TO USA
We return home today from Istanbul having retraced the footsteps of the apostles through the wonderful land of present-day Turkey. Our eyes have been opened to timeless truths from the biblical era, and we can now better appreciate the critical role Turkey plays in today's world a bridge between continents, cultures, religions,
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