St. Paul’s Journey and the 7 Churches of Revelation

• Arrival in Istanbul.
• Drive to the Old City and visit the Hippodrome.
• Visit the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), adorned with 21,000 blue Iznik tiles.
• Optionally visit St. Sophia Mosque (formerly Hagia Sophia), famed for its mosaics and marble décor.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Tour the Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
• Explore the Grand Covered Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest markets.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, admiring views of Ottoman palaces, fortresses, and waterside mansions on both European and Asian shores.
• Visit the vibrant Spice Market.
• Lunch at a seafood restaurant under the Galata Bridge.
• Transfer to Istanbul Airport for domestic flight to Adana.
• Arrive in Adana and transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest.

• Drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul.
• Celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s Church.
• Visit St. Paul’s Well, believed to have healing properties.
• Stop at the Gate of Cleopatra for a short visit.
• Continue to Nigde to explore the Eski Gümüş Monastery, carved entirely into the rock.
• Drive to Cappadocia.
• Visit an underground city, built by early Christians for defense and refuge.
• Explore Pigeon Valley and the scenic Uchisar Village, centered around a rock pinnacle.
• Proceed to Urgup to witness the unique fairy chimneys and visit a local zultanite display.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

• Optional early morning Hot Air Balloon tour over the stunning landscape of Cappadocia.
• Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, home to impressive rock-carved churches adorned with biblical frescoes dating back to the 10th century.
• Learn about natural dyeing and weaving techniques during a visit to a carpet showroom featuring wool and silk weaving.
• Explore the village of Avanos, known for its traditional clay pottery craftsmanship.
• Visit a pottery and ceramic atelier with time to enjoy the displays.
• After lunch, drive to Konya via the historic Silk Road, once a vital route connecting China to Constantinople.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Konya.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit Konya (ancient Iconium), known for its spiritual heritage.
• Explore the School of Dervishes and the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the famed Islamic philosopher.
• Optional visit to St. Paul Church (open Fridays and Saturdays).
• Drive to Pisidian Antioch, where St. Paul preached his first recorded sermon alongside Barnabas.
• Visit significant archaeological sites: Church of St. Paul, Roman Bath, Triumphal Gate of Septimus Severus, Temple of Augustus, and the Pisidian Antioch Museum.
• Continue the drive to Pamukkale.
• Arrive in time to view the striking white travertine pools at sunset.
• Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Roman Theater and Roman Baths.
• Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

• Early departure after breakfast.
• Visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation [Rev. 1:11; 3:14].
• Continue to Philadelphia to see the remains of St. Paul’s Church.
• Drive to Sardes, an ancient Jewish settlement.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Visit the Synagogue, Gymnasium, and Temple of Artemis in Sardes.
• Proceed to Izmir (ancient Smyrna).
• Explore the ancient Roman Agora.
• If open, visit St. Polycarp Church, dedicated to one of the earliest Christian martyrs.
• Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to Ephesus, where St. Paul lived and preached for over two years.
• Visit the ancient city and its major highlights: (Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theater, The Double Church (Church of Mary), site of the Third Ecumenical Council in A.D. 431)
• Visit the Basilica of St. John, believed to be the burial site of the Apostle John.
• Visit to Bulbul Dag (Mount Koressos) to see the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Stop by a local leather gallery and enjoy a fashion show presentation.
• Free time before heading to Kusadasi.
• Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to Akhisar to view the remains of ancient Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
• Continue to Pergamon (modern-day Bergama), a powerful ancient city and also one of the Seven Churches [Rev. 1:11; 2:12].
• Explore the Acropolis, home to: The steepest theater in the world, The Altar of Zeus—referred to as the “Throne of Satan” in Revelation, The Temple of Trajan, The Library of Pergamon, rival to Alexandria with over 200,000 volumes
• Visit the Red Basilica, believed to be the Church of St. John.
• Enjoy buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
• Drive to Alexandria Troas, an ancient port city where St. Paul first set sail for Europe to spread Christianity and returned during his missionary journeys.
• Continue to Canakkale.
• Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s epics.
• Explore the archaeological site and see the replica of the Trojan Horse.
• Optional viewing of the second replica used in the movie “Troy”, displayed in Canakkale City.
• Drive to Istanbul Airport for your international departure.

On the final day of your pilgrimage, enjoy a last breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your journey home, filled with spiritual memories and blessings from this sacred pilgrimage.