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Make the Journey of St. Paul in Biblical Turkey; Cappadocia, Iconia, Antioch-Pisidia & Attalos. Book the Turkey Churches Tour with Package Tour Turkey.
ISTANBUL → CAPPADOCIA → KONYA → ISPARTA → ANTALYA
Day 1 – Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Where the continents meet.
Meet at Istanbul Airport: Once you arrive at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, after the luggage claim, you will be greeted by a Romos Travel Representative at the meeting area.
Transfer to the hotel: You will be taken to your hotel, and after check-in, you will have time for leisure, and the rest of the day is yours.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast, your pick-up will be scheduled for 8:30 am from the hotel to start the Istanbul Old City tour. Our professional tour guide will be introducing the ancient sights of Istanbul.
Today you will explore the following highlights of Istanbul.
Hippodrome: An ancient Roman and Ottoman square where the chariot races were held. Within the square is some Roman remains, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Constantine Columns.
The Blue Mosque: An Ottoman Imperial mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I in 1609-1616 CE, famous for the blue Ottoman tiles.
Hagia Sophia: Once the largest cathedral of Christianity when it was built in 532-537 CE by the Roman Emperor Justinian; later converted into a mosque by the Ottomans.
Topkapi Palace: The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the palace after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapi Palace was the home of the royal family and the headquarters for the Ottoman Empire’s administrative center.
Grand Bazaar (Covered Market): The largest and oldest functioning shopping center in the world. The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the Grand Bazaar in the 15th century. The market consists of 5,000 stores, 66 streets, 24 gates, and much more eye-pleasing architecture. Within the bazaar are many Turkish handicraft stores such as rugs, carpets, kilims, and beautiful Turkish tiles. Upon your request, our guide will be more than happy to help you find your masterpiece of Turkish art.
After the Istanbul Old City sightseeing tour, you will be driven back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Note: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant is included
Day 3 – Flight to Cappadocia
After breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel. Then, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Cappadocia. After landing at Cappadocia (Kayseri) Airport, transfer to the hotel with your professional guide and check-in at the hotel, time in leisure. The rest of the day is yours—overnight in Cappadocia.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel
Day 4 – Cappadocia Tour
Cappadocia: Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1
After breakfast, we start to Cappadocia Day Tour. You are visiting the highlights of Cappadocia.
Goreme Open-air Museum dates back to the 2nd century when the ascetic monks who adopted seclusion lived. They had their own independent churches and monasteries where they created a community. Today, the museum houses St. Basil’s Church, Elmalı Church, Boys and Girls, St. Barbara Church, Serpent Church, etc.…
Fairy Chimneys: What makes Cappadocia so popular are those rock formations, called “ fairy chimneys” by the people. Those different rock formations result from millions of years of natural events, such as; rain, wind, erosion. The fairy chimneys had been dwellings, churches, shelters, and natural fortresses for many years. Although the locals live in the town today, the fairy chimneys can be visited by travelers/tourists.
Red Valley; is a hiking trail and famous for its red-rose color. The valley is located in the middle of Goreme town where they appreciate with sun-rise and sun-set. The Red Valley houses some abandoned churches, Uzumlu Church, Hacli Church, and Direkli Church, with murals and frescoes.
Cavusin Village: located on the way to Avanos. The rarest residents were still some people follow the ancient attitudes by using the old stuff. You can see those villagers farming, making potteries, and carving. Cavusin Village houses two churches; one dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the other Nicephorus Phocas. Until the 1920’s the Turks and The Greeks were living there together. After the exchange population, The Greeks left the village.
Kaymakli Underground City: rather than Derinkuyu and the other underground cities, Kaymakli Underground City is different as it has much lower and narrower passageways. But it has more levels than the others. In recent years, four other floors have been unearthed, and some chapels, wineries, kitchens stalls have also been discovered.
Pigeon Valley: one of the panoramic spots of Cappadocia, which is located between Uchisar and Goreme. Since ancient times, there has been feeding the pigeons resulting in the carved soft tuff on the slopes to make dovecotes. You can also see Uchisar Castle from a different perspective and may feed the pigeons around you.
After the Cappadocia sightseeing tour, we drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 5 – Konya Tour
Iconium: Acts 13:51-14:6; 16:2
After breakfast and check-out, drive to Konya. Our first stop is Sultanhanı Karavansarai which the Seljuks built in 12C AD. The ancient travelers and merchants used to stay at those ancient hotels safely. After the break, we drive to Konya Mevlana/Rumi Museum; the Islamic philosopher, theologian, and poet Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi were born in 1207 Khorassan. The meaning of Mevlana is “our master and president” and implies the love of people for him. Although he lived in Konya, also went to Damascus and Tebriz, he attended different scholars’ lectures. Mevlana is known as the founder of Mesnevi and the leader of the Dervishes. After his death, they built a tomb in 1274 where the other dervishes are also buried. The Mausoleum consists of a library, madrasah, kitchen, graves, and rooms of dervishes.
After the Konya sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Konya.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 6 – Pisidian Antioch
Acts 13:14-51; 14:19, 21-23
After check-out and breakfast, we drive to Pisidia where located in Yalvaç district of Isparta province. Pisidia was founded by the Seleucid king Antiochus I in 3C BC. The city was part of the Phrygia region in ancient times. Via Sebaste was built from Perge to Pisidia by the preator Cornutus to secure the region politically and economically. Paul and Barnabas arrived in Pisidia on this road around 46 AD. In the book of Acts, Paul’s first and longest recorded sermon (13:16-41) was delivered at the synagogue in Pisidia. He also visited Pisidia on his two other journeys (16:6; 19:1). Pisidia has only been excavated %10 so far. You can see the temple of Augustus, a monumental triple-arched gate, a Greco-Roman theater in the city. After the tour, we drive to Isparta city center to stay overnight.
After the Pisidian Antioch sightseeing tour, drive to the hotel. Overnight in Isparta.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 7 – Antalya Tour
After check-out and breakfast, we drive to Antalya and start the Antalya Old City Tour.
The Pergamon King Attalos founded Antalya, and it is believed that the name of the city derives from Attalos. We’ll be walking among the ancient streets, and the first spot is The Hadrian Gate, built by the Romans on behalf of Emperor Hadrian upon his visit to Antalya in 130 CE. The gate has three arches and Corinthian style Hıdırlık Tower, built-in 2nd Century CE by the Romans, and it is located on the southwest of the Old Town, by the dominating spot of the cliffs. The tower has a small room on the first floor, and in the upper gallery, there is an observation spot where they could follow the ships or any reaching invasion to the city. Once Antalya is surrounded by a defense wall, the Clock Tower is a small part of this that exists today. They renovated the last part of the defense wall and added a clock in honor of Sultan Abdulhamid to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ascent to the throne. While walking down to the water, near the ancient port, we will stop for a while and rest whilst following the ships and breathing the fresh Mediterranean air.
After the Antalya Old City tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 8 – Aspendos, Perge, Side Tour
Side: 1 Maccabees 15:23; Fragments of Papias 5
Perge: Acts 13:13-14; 14:25
After breakfast, we shall drive to Aspendos Theatre, built by Emperor Aurelius, designed with a U-shaped style and leaning slopes. It has 5 gates, and it still protects its acoustic ability, and with 20,000 person capacity, the theatre is still used today to host concerts. Perge was founded as a colony of the Pergamum Kingdom around 300 BCE. During Alexander’s invasion of Anatolia, the residents of Perge served him as his guides. The mathematician Apollonius was born in Perge around 200 BCE. The city passed under Roman control in 188 BCE after Romans inherited the Pergamum Kingdom. Side, the naval city was founded by the Anatolian indigenous people who spoke a local dialect that was different from Greek. Side never passed under the control of Pergamum Kingdom. The city’s name means pomegranate, which locals are still growing today. Side situated by the Mediterranean Sea and most of the remains dates back to 1-4C CE.
After the Aspendos, Perge, Side tour, drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 9 – Demre-Myra, Kekova-Simena
After breakfast, we drive to Myra, founded during the Hellenistic period as part of the Lycian Union, and since it was one of the 6 biggest cities, it was eligible to give 3 votes. Myra is also where St. Nicholas had been lived and died, who also known as “Santa Claus.” Saint Nicholas was born in 300 AD in Patara, then moved to Myra, where he was a bishop. There is a church on behalf of his name where he is buried. Saint Nicholas is known as the protector of the kids and the sailor. Saint Nicholas died on 6 December 365 AD when he was 65.
Plinius in 1C AD first mentioned the visit to Simena, and it dates back to 4C BC, where we learn from Lycian inscriptions and silver coins. Simena was part of the Lycian Union and was represented the city Aperlai. After Anatolia became part of the Roman Empire, Simena sustained its independence. When approaching the shore, a Roman bath comes first, which was built in 79 BC. Lycian cities are famous for the rock tombs and sarcophaguses, which you can see in Simena. The Lycians built a theater with 300 personal capacity and a temple that was converted into a church, later a mosque. Most of the sarcophaguses are in the water.
After the Demre-Myra, Kekova-Simena sightseeing tour, drive back to the hotel.
Overnight in Antalya
Note: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel, Lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 10 – Transfer to Airport
Breakfast at the hotel, Pick up from the hotel, and transfer to Antalya Airport for the flight back to Istanbul for your International flight.
After completing the amazing 10 Days Foot Steps of Saint Paul Turkey Tour, Package Tour Turkey wishes all guests a very healthy and wonderful life ahead…
Footsteps of St.Paul in Turkey Tour Details
Departure & Return Location
Istanbul Airport & Sabiha Gokcen Airport – Can be supplied depending on your International flight details.
Price Include
Flight tickets from Istanbul to Cappadocia
Flight tickets from Antalya to Istanbul
Entrance fees, mentioned in itinerary
Professional tour guide at tours
Air-conditioned vehicle for tours and transfers
8 Lunch at tour
Price Exclude
Gratuities to guide and driver
Personal expenses
Visa & International flight tickets
Hotel Accommodations
Dinners
Breakfasts
Reservation Request Form
You must be a history buff or a spiritual traveler to be familiar with St. Paul, one of the most significant individuals in the early Christian Church. He traveled as a missionary, spreading the gospel of Christianity throughout the ancient world. One such important journey occurred in the present-day country of Turkey. This article attempts to give you insights into the most fascinating excursions that go in St. Paul’s footsteps through historic churches and biblical places in Turkey.
You will embark on an exciting adventure as part of the Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey Tour, visiting the locations where St. Paul preached and founded early Christian communities. This tour gives you the chance to discover the region’s rich cultural legacy in addition to highlighting the history of Christianity in Turkey.
Antioch: This historic city was a key player in the early Christian Church and served as the starting place of St. Paul’s missionary missions.
St. Paul’s Church and St. Paul’s Well are located in Tarsus, the city where he was born.
Iconium (Konya) is an important destination on the itinerary because St. Paul and St. Barnabas both preached here.
Discover the ruins of Pisidian Antioch (Yalvaç), the ancient city where St. Paul preached one of his most well-known sermons.
The ancient Christian sites that were crucial to the growth of Christianity are the focus of the Turkey Biblical and Churches Tour. This tour includes not only the areas that St. Paul visited but also other significant biblical sites spread throughout Turkey.
Ephesus is a must-see location for historical and religious enthusiasts because it is home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
Pamukkale’s Hierapolis: Discover the well-preserved ruins of the old city, including the Martyrium of St. Philip.
A spectacular archaeological complex, including an early Christian church, may be found in the ancient city of Laodicea, which is mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
The Steps of St. Paul Tour follows St. Paul’s footsteps as he traversed Asia Minor to promote the gospel. This journey gives you a special chance to travel in his footsteps and see the biblical locations that shaped early Christianity.
The city of Perge is home to remarkable ancient ruins, including a theater, a stadium, and city walls. Perge played a significant role in St. Paul’s first missionary tour.
Attalia (Antalya): On their first missionary journey, St. Paul and St. Barnabas reached this historic harbor city.
Derbe is a notable city where St. Paul and St. Barnabas successfully spread Christianity.
Visit the old city’s ruins at Lystra, where St. Paul converted a large number of people after healing a crippled man.
Tours of St. Paul’s Churches in Turkey
The St. Paul Churches Turquia Tours are centered on the historic churches constructed in St. Paul’s honor and his contribution to the development of early Christianity in Turkey. For those who want to visit the region’s revered monuments and magnificent buildings, this tour is a great option.
The church known as St. Paul’s Church in Tarsus was constructed on the site where St. Paul is said to have lived.
St. Peter’s Church in Antakya is one of the oldest churches in the world and is thought to have been the gathering place for the earliest Christians. It is carved into the side of a mountain.
Selçuk’s St. John’s Basilica: This magnificent basilica, built in St. John the Apostle’s honor, is a must-see location close to Ephesus.
Paul’s Influence on Christianity
Epistles written by St. Paul and his missionary missions were instrumental in bringing Christianity to the ancient world. His teachings are vital to Christian theology and practice, and his influence is still felt today.
St. Paul’s travels through Turkey had a significant impact on the local early Christian communities. Many of the churches, monasteries, and Christian organizations that were founded in the region and are still in operation today were made possible thanks to his teachings.
The spring and fall seasons are the best times to travel to Turkey for a St. Paul tour. The tourist crowds are smaller, and the weather is lovely.
When visiting religious locations, be sure to bring modest clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and suitable walking shoes. A camera is also necessary to document the magnificent scenery and ancient sites.
Learn about the traditions and customs of the area.
To converse with locals, learn a few fundamental Turkish words and phrases.
Keep hydrated by carrying a bottle of water at all times.
A spiritually uplifting and historically interesting experience is walking in St. Paul’s footsteps in Turkey. These excursions provide a special chance to discover biblical locations, historic churches, and the region’s rich cultural legacy. Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with priceless memories and a better understanding of the origins of Christianity.
