19 Day Turkey Tour

After breakfast, visit Troy, Homer’s legendary Troy, to see the replica of the wooden horse.

Then travel to Pergamon to visit the Acropolis,

Temple of Athena, Serapis Temple,

Heroon,

Sanctuary of Athena,

Library of Pergamon,

Temple of Tragan,

Theatre,

Zeus Altar,

Overnight stay in Bergama

Visit Sardis capital city of ancient Lydia.

See the early church remaining in Sardis (Sardis Gymnasium, Jewish Synagogue, Diana {Artemis} Temple).

Continue to Alasehir to visit the early church remaining in Philadelphia (St John Basilica).

Then drive to Akhisar (Thyatira) for a short visit to the 4th century church.

After lunch, visit the Roman Agora in Izmir.

Overnight stay in Kuşadası

Visit the house of Virgin Marry 

Visit Ephesus Ancient City  Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, 

After that a visit to the Basilica of St John where the apostle of John was buried and view the Temple of Artemis.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi

Travel to the Ionic cities of Priene, the well-designed Greco-Roman city and the best-preserved Hellenistic theater in Turkey to visit the newly excavated remains of a synagogue in the west residential district and the Alexander the Great’s home there.

Then a visit to the great Ionian port of Miletus, where Paul farewelled the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38) and the newly excavated remains of a synagogue.

After lunch, a visit the Temple of Apollo at Didyma.

Overnight stay in Kuşadası

 2 hrs 30 min driving to  Aphrodisias [Temple of Aphrodite] excavated by the New York University.

After lunch you will visit Laodicea. One of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Than short drive to Pamukkale and overnight stay

Swimming is available at the hot spring water indoor pool of your hotel.

Overnight stay in Pammukale

Drive to Hierapolis to visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Necropolis and Philip’s tomb.

Then drive to the unexcavated city of Colossae (Honaz – Ancient metropolis of Phrygia, the recipient of Paul’s letter).

Then drive south to Antalya city.

Overnight stay in Antalya

Then drive south to Antalya city to see Kaleici (old Antalya),

Clock Tower,

Old Harbour,

Kesik Minare,

Hadrianus Gate.

Then visit Antalya Archaeological Museum.

After lunch, a visit to the Kursunlu Waterfall to relax and behold God’s beautiful creation dating back to the Roman period.

Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Overnight stay in Antalya

Drive to see the Greco-Roman city of Perge where Paul gave his first speech on Christianity in the area.

Then see the World’s best preserved Greco-Roman Amphitheater at Aspendos.

Visit Side to see the ancient theatre, great Gate and Temple of Apollo.

Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Overnight stay in Antalya.

Drive to Sagallassos ancient city 

Drive to Yalvac to visit Pisidian Antioch.

Then continue to Konya via Beysehir Lake and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Konya.

Visit Konya, ancient Iconium, see the Mevlana Monastery of the Dervishes (museum),

Mausoleum (Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi), the founder chief of whirling Dervishes,

Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.

Visit the walled 13-century Sultanhan Caravansarai en route to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Visit Goreme Open Air Museum to see Byzantine Frescoes,

Tokah Kilise,

Basil Kilise,

Elmali Kilise,

Azize Barbara Kilisesi,

Yilanli Kilise,

Karanlik Kilise,

St Catherine Chapel, C

arikli Kilise,

Nunnery,

the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar,

Ortahisar,

Avanos Village and see the fairy chimneys

St Simeon church at Pasabag (Monk) Valley.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Optional Balloon Ride in early morning (06:00-08:00) which is subject to availability due to weather conditions in the winter.

Full day tour in Cappodocia:

Visit Cappadocia Kaymaklı Underground city,

Uchisar Castle to see the panoramic points to see the cone of Uchisar & Guvercinlik Valley,

Ihlara Valley, which itself alone needs almost a half day to complete (not suitable for elder people).

Then drive to Ankara, capital city of Turkey.

Dinner and overnight stay in Ankara

Full day tour in Ankara.

Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilization,

Ulus,

Mausoleum of Ataturk,

Temple of Augustus,

Roman Bath,

Column of Julian and the Ankara Citadel.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Ankara.

Overnight stay in Ankara

Visit Yassıhöyük (Gordion) [King Midan’s Earth Tumulus,

Phrygian Valley, Midas Şehri] and Yazılıkaya with many monument writing-rocks and underground passages from the Phrygian age in there.

Drive to visit Sivrihhisar Castle & Ballihisar.

Then follow by visiting Kybele Temple in Pessinus.

Then drive to Bursa for dinner and overnight at hotel in Bursa.

Overnight stay in Bursa

Visit Bursa city center,

Green Mosque,

Green Mausoleum and Nicea where the Council of Nicea was held.

Take the fast ferry to Istanbul and leisure afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Full day tour in Istanbul:

Visit Hippodrom of Istanbul,

Hagia Sophia,

Blue Mosque (The Sultan Ahmed Mosque – Sultanahmet Camii),

Topkapi Palace (Sarayi)  and Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)

Basilica Cistern,

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Morning visit of Old Spice Bazaar,

Bosphorus cruise by ferry to see the Anadolu Hisari, Rumeli Hisari (No interior visits to medieval forts), old mansions, waterfrount wood houses, imperial palaces, hunting lodges, kiosks, modern villas on both the European and Asians shores of the strait while cruising.

Drive by the Golden Horn to see the Old city walls and visit the Süleymaniye Mosque.

Visit the Dolmabahce Palace.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Transfer to airport for your return flight