Our pilgrimage begins as we depart for Istanbul. Meals and drinks will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will be met by our guide who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Depending upon our arrival time, we will enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city before transferring to our local hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) Overnight Istanbul

Today we enjoy a full day of sightseeing encompassing Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage. We begin with a visit of Hagia Sophia Museum which is known as one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, followed by the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet – also known as the Blue Mosque. Journey to the Roman Hippodrome built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD which houses the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column. This afternoon, our day continues with a visit of Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. Conclude our day with a visit to the Basilica Cistern, built by Emperor Justinian in 542 AD. (B,D) Overnight Istanbul

After an early breakfast, depart Istanbul and drive along the Sea of Marmara’s picturesque northern coast. Before crossing the Dardanelles, we will visit Gallipoli, the famous site of the World War One battle.  Cross the Dardanelles into Asia Minor and proceed to legendary Troy to see the city made famous in Homer’s poems. We will also visit Troas where St. Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia before checking into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Canakkale

Depart Canakkale and drive to Pergamum, the most favored of the Seven Churches of Asia where Christianity was introduced very early.  Here, we will see (weather permitting) the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, the fabled Acropolis and the Royal Gate.   Continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches.  Then proceed to Izmir to visit the Church of St. Polycarp – the oldest church in ancient Smyrna. St. Polycarp was the fourth Bishop of Smyrna and is known as one of first Christian martyrs.  (B, D) Overnight Izmir

Early in the morning we drive to Sardis, the Lydian capital city where money was first minted, to visit the marble road of the Roman Gymnasium. Then proceed to Ephesus where St. Paul spent two years during his ministry and later sent his letter to the Ephesians. Visit the archaeological site of Ephesus, where we see the great theater where Paul addressed the crowds and visit the site of the scene of the riot from which Paul escaped. We will also see the House of Virgin Mary on Mount Nightingale which was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896 and has become a popular place of pilgrimage. Proceed to the nearby colorful port town of Kusadasi for overnight. (B, D) Overnight Kusadasi

Today, we will visit Miletus where St. Paul stopped on his Third Missionary Journey on his way back to Jerusalem. Then visit Laodicea, another of the Seven Churches of Asia – the one chastened for being lukewarm. Afterwards, proceed to the spa city of Pamukkale where we will enjoy the view of the cascading water from the cliffs forming crystallized, dazzling white “frozen waterfalls. We will visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and see the magnificently preserved Necropolis, Main Street, and Gates. (B, D) Overnight Pamukkale

After a very early breakfast we will drive east to Konya via Yalvac (Psidia Antiocia). In Konya, the historical city of Iconium, we will visit the Mausoleum and Museum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the famous Muslim scholar, philosopher and founder of the Mevlevi Sect, known also as Soufism. We will also learn about his followers, known as Whirling Dervishes for their unique way of worship, and may have a chance to see them in prayer. In the midafternoon, we will proceed to Cappadocia visiting en route the famous Seldjuk Caravanseails (camel caravan inn) of Sultanhani. Dinner at hotel. (B, D) Overnight Cappadocia

Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan volcanoes covered the surrounding plateau with volcanic rock which wind and weather have eroded into hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and “fairy chimneys”, often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet brown. In this unique landscape the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels, and monasteries, as well as founding a number of underground cities, used during the ancient times as places for Christians to retreat and live in until danger from their persecutors had passed. We start our tour of this unique region in Uchisar, where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the area, followed by the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum. This valley houses rock churches and monasteries, all painted with colorful early Christian religious frescoes. Avanos, on the banks of Kizilirmak River, displays attractive architecture and is renowned for its handicraft. Continue to Pasabagi, which provides a panoramic view of the most impressive examples of “fairy chimneys”. In Cavusin, there is a triple-apse church and monastery of St. John the Baptist as well as several chapels and some of the best examples of rock houses that are still inhabited. In Kaymakli, we will visit the Kaymakli Underground City, which is a huge refuge carved by early Christians that served as hideout from persecutors. This evening before our farewell dinner we will attend a Whirling Dervishes Ceremony. (B, D) Overnight Cappadocia

Early this morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we embark upon a cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy the sight of marble palaces, 15th century fortresses and small fishing villages alongside modern buildings and two stunning ultramodern suspension bridges. After disembarking, visit the impressive 19th century Dolmabahce Palace with its unique Bird Pavilion and 600 meters façade on the Bosphorus. The next visit will be to Kariye Mosque (Saint Savior in the Chora), which is a Byzantine monastery complex dating back to 8th century AD. Only the church of Jesus Christ the Savior remains today which houses marvelous golden Byzantine mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of the Virgin Mary and Christ. The next stop will be at the Imperial Suleymaniye Mosque which is considered to be the most beautiful and impressive mosque in Istanbul. Our last stop before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight will be at the Grand Covered Bazaar, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror between 1455-1461 in an attempt to enrich the economic life in the city. (B, D) Overnight Istanbul

Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight home, taking with us all the blessings and graces of this pilgrimage.