Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey

Day 1. United States – Istanbul

Depart from the United States on an overnight transatlantic flight to Istanbul. Meals and overnight aboard the aircraft.

Day 2. Istanbul – Adana

Upon arrival in Istanbul, complete immigration and entry formalities before connecting with our flight to Adana. Upon arrival, meet our local representative and transfer to the hotel.

Depending on the confirmed flight schedule, dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight in Adana.

Day 3. Adana – Tarsus – Cappadocia

After breakfast, depart for Tarsus, once an important city of the Roman province of Cilicia and the birthplace of Saint Paul.

Known before his conversion as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was raised in the Jewish faith and possessed Roman citizenship. Following his encounter with the risen Christ, he became one of Christianity’s greatest missionaries and carried the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

In Tarsus, we will visit the traditional Well of Saint Paul and see Cleopatra’s Gate, associated with the meeting of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

Continue to Cappadocia, stopping at Pigeon Valley for panoramic views of the region’s extraordinary volcanic formations, popularly known as fairy chimneys. For centuries, local inhabitants carved dovecotes into the soft rock and used the pigeon droppings as fertilizer for the surrounding agricultural fields.

Full board. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4. Cappadocia

Today we will explore Cappadocia’s remarkable Christian heritage, beginning with the Göreme Open-Air Museum. This historic monastic complex contains rock-carved churches and chapels decorated with important Byzantine frescoes.

We will also stop near the Three Beauties, among Cappadocia’s most recognizable rock formations, before continuing to the Zelve Valley. Once home to a thriving community, the valley contains numerous houses, chapels, tunnels, and other structures carved directly into the volcanic stone.

Our day concludes in Avanos, a town situated along the Kızılırmak River and known for its centuries-old pottery tradition. We will visit a local workshop and learn how artisans continue to create ceramics using the region’s distinctive red clay.

Full board. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 5. Cappadocia – Konya – Pisidian Antioch – Pamukkale

Depart Cappadocia for Konya, the ancient city of Iconium. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas preached here during their missionary journey despite opposition and persecution.

Konya later became the center of the Mevlevi Order, commonly associated with the Whirling Dervishes. We will visit the museum and tomb of Mevlana Rumi, the influential medieval poet and mystic connected with this spiritual tradition.

We will also visit the Church of Saint Paul, where we will celebrate Holy Mass, subject to availability and confirmation.

Continue to Yalvaç to visit the ruins of Pisidian Antioch. Here, Saint Paul delivered one of his most significant recorded sermons and proclaimed the Gospel to both Jewish and Gentile audiences, as recounted in Acts 13:13–52.

We will explore the remains of this important Roman city before continuing to Pamukkale.

Full board. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 6. Pamukkale – Hierapolis – Ephesus – House of the Virgin Mary – Kuşadası

This morning, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, situated above the striking white thermal terraces of Pamukkale. Hierapolis became an important early Christian center and is traditionally associated with the Apostle Philip.

Continue to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean world. Originally a Greek city, Ephesus later became the capital and principal metropolis of the Roman province of Asia.

Saint Paul spent an extended period preaching in Ephesus, and his ministry in the city is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The Letter to the Ephesians and the Book of Revelation further demonstrate the city’s importance within early Christianity.

During our visit, we will see some of the city’s most important monuments and reflect on the world in which the first Christian communities lived and worshiped.

We will then visit the House of the Virgin Mary, traditionally believed to be where Mary spent the final years of her earthly life under the care of the Apostle Saint John. Time will be provided for prayer at this peaceful Marian shrine.

Full board. Overnight in Kuşadası.

Day 7. Kuşadası – Thyatira – Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale

After breakfast, depart for Akhisar, the site of ancient Thyatira. This early Christian community was one of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. It was praised for its faith, service, perseverance, and growing works while also being admonished for tolerating false teaching.

Continue to Pergamon, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We will ascend to the ancient acropolis, dramatically situated above the surrounding plain. Among its principal monuments are the Temple of Trajan, the remains of the Temple of Athena, and the foundations associated with the celebrated Altar of Pergamon.

We then continue toward the archaeological site of Troy. Occupied in different periods beginning in the Bronze Age, Troy became immortalized through Homer’s Iliad and the story of the Trojan War.

After the visit, continue to our hotel in the Çanakkale or Troy area.

Full board. Overnight in Çanakkale or Troy.

Day 8. Çanakkale – Bursa – Nicaea – Istanbul

Depart for Bursa, the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. During our visit, we will see the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb, the Grand Mosque, and the historic Koza Han, once an important center of the silk trade.

Continue to İznik, the ancient city of Nicaea. This city holds exceptional importance in Christian history because it hosted the First Ecumenical Council in A.D. 325 during the reign of Emperor Constantine.

At Nicaea, bishops from across the Christian world gathered to address fundamental questions concerning the nature of Christ. Their deliberations formed the foundation of the Nicene Creed professed by Christians throughout the world.

After our visit, continue to Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople.

Full board. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 9. Istanbul – Chora – Bosphorus Cruise

Begin the day at the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. Established during the Ottoman period, this colorful covered market remains one of Istanbul’s best-known centers for spices, teas, sweets, and traditional products.

We will then enjoy a cruise along the Bosphorus, the celebrated waterway that separates Europe from Asia and connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Along the way, we will see historic wooden residences, Ottoman palaces, waterfront neighborhoods, and ancient fortifications.

Continue to the former Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, one of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine sacred art. Its extraordinary mosaics and frescoes depict important scenes from the lives of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The visit and areas accessible to travelers will be subject to the regulations in effect at the time of the pilgrimage.

We will conclude at the Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the masterpieces of the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. From its elevated setting, we will enjoy panoramic views over the Golden Horn and the historic city.

Full board. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 10. Christian Constantinople and Historic Istanbul

Today we will explore the historic heart of Istanbul, beginning at the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople. Once the principal sporting and ceremonial center of the Byzantine capital, the Hippodrome hosted chariot races, imperial ceremonies, and public gatherings.

Continue to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque. This impressive 17th-century Ottoman sanctuary is renowned for its graceful domes, six minarets, and thousands of blue İznik tiles.

We will then visit Hagia Sophia, constructed in the sixth century under Emperor Justinian as the great cathedral of Constantinople. For centuries, it stood at the center of Byzantine Christian life and remains one of the most influential buildings in the history of sacred architecture. Its current religious use and the areas accessible to visitors will be subject to the regulations in effect at the time of travel.

Continue to Topkapı Palace, the former residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans. Its courtyards and collections preserve objects reflecting centuries of imperial history.

We will conclude with time at the Grand Bazaar, an immense covered market where hundreds of shops offer jewelry, textiles, leather goods, ceramics, and traditional handicrafts.

Full board. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 11. Istanbul – United States

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for the return flight to the United States.

Arrival in the United States and conclusion of our pilgrimage and services.