Biblical Turkiye

DAY 1: MANILA – ISTANBUL

• Depart Manila onboard your flight to Istanbul.
• Enjoy inflight meals and entertainment.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL – IZNIK “NICEA” – BURSA (B-L-D)

• Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, meet with your guide and drive to Bursa. Stop in Iznik to visit the Hagia Sophia mosque.
• Then continue to Cumalikizik Village, an important village settlement showcasing Ottoman architecture. Proceed to Bursa Grand Mosque “Ulu Camii”, a prominent landmark in Bursa’s downtown then to the Silk Market “Koza Han”.
• Check in to your hotel in Bursa for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: BURSA – PERGAMUM – THYATIRA – SMYRNA – KUSADASI (B-L-D)

• Drive to Pergamum to visit the Red Basilica, the worldly church that mixed doctrines and needed to repent (Rev. 2:12-17).
• Then we will go up to the Acropolis with a cable car, with an amazing view of Pergamon along the way.
• Proceed to Thyatira, the false church that followed a seductive prophetess (Rev. 2:18-29).
• End your day in Smyrna, the persecuted church that suffered poverty and martyrdom (Rev. 2:8-11).
• Check-in to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (B-L-D)

• After breakfast, proceed to the leather factory outlet and the showroom.
• Afterwards, walk in the well-preserved marble streets of Ephesus ancient city to the Library of Celsius, the Odeon, Grand Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Roman Bath etc.
• Continue to the House of Virgin Mary, Artemis Temple, and The Basilica of St. John. Return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: KUSADASI – SARDIS – PHILADELPHIA – LAODICEA -PAMUKKALE (B-L-D)

• Drive to Sardis, the “dead” church that fell asleep (Rev. 3:1-6).
• Then to Philadelphia, the church of brotherly love that endures patiently (Rev. 3:7-13).
• Proceed to Laodicea, the lukewarm church with a faith that’s neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-22).
• Continue your visit to Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the Hierapolis ancient city.
• Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: PAMUKKALE – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (B-L-D)

• Drive to Konya and visit the Ancient Caravanserai (Tepesi Delikhan).
• Then to the Antioch of Pisidia “Yalvac”, where Paul visited this town on his first missionary journey.
• Immerse yourself in the excavations of the ancient city here and visit the Yalvac Museum to see the artifacts unearthed from the very same city
• Continue your drive to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA (B-L-D)

• Optional: hot air balloon ride early in the morning; if weather permits
• After breakfast, visit the Underground city.
• Stop at Pigeon valley and Uchisar castle.
• Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and have mass at Dereyamanli Church at Avanos, a spacious cave church with nine large carved crosses.
• End your day by visiting the Turquoise and Onyx handmade store, Turkish carpet and pottery making demonstration.
• Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: CAPPADOCIA – SAFRANBOLU (B-L-D)

• Optional: Cappadocia Jeep Safari Adventures, one of the most exciting adventures in Cappadocia in exploring the region in an off-road vehicle Drive to Safranbolu and visit the Old Town, a UNESCO-protected site.
• Proceed to Cinci Hammam Outside Photo Stop, this famed bathhouse (hammam) has been wonderfully restored.
• Then to the most interesting Koprulu Mehmet Pasa Mosque.
• Continue to Cinci Han “Caravanserai” Outside Photo Stop and Safranbolu Bazaar “Yemeniciler Arastasi”.
• Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9: SAFRANBOLU – ISTANBUL (B-L-D)

• Drive to Istanbul and visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome.
• Proceed to Hagia Sophia Photo Stop.
• Then continue to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.
• Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 10: ISTANBUL (B-L-D)

• After breakfast, have mass at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul.
• Continue to Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, a long pedestrianized shopping street.
• Then to the Galata Port Premium Outlet Mall in Istanbul for free time for shopping.
• Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 11: ISTANBUL – MANILA (B-L)

• Proceed to your Bosphorus Cruise Tour and enjoy sailing along the Bosphorus Strait which separates the European and Asian sides of the city.
• Then visit the St. Esprit Cathedral “The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit”, which has been a destination of several papal visits to Turkey, including Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
• Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, bringing back wonderful memories and superb souvenirs from your Turkish vacation.

DAY 12: ARRIVAL MANILA

• Welcome back to Manila.
• Home sweet home!