the Zelve Valley, one of the greatest Christian centers from the 6th to 10th century (though there were probably Christians living here from the first century.)  St. Basil the Great of Caesarea, Bishop of Caesarea from 329 to 379 AD, was one of the outstanding early church leaders from here. His younger brother St. Gregory of Nysa, and St. Gregory Nazianzus lived in this area as well.  

There are more than an estimated 600 so-called cave churches in this area, hollowed out from the volcanic rock formations.  We will visit some of these churches.  We return to our hotel for dinner and the evening. (B, D)

TUE, JUN 3, DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA / DERBE / KONYA
This morning we travel to Derbe where St. Paul and St. Barnabas gained a number of followers. 

We continue on to Konya.  Paul visited here on his First Missionary Journey and preached to Jews in their synagogue and to Gentiles.  We visit Konya’s excellent archaeological museum, where we see some items recovered from Derbe.  Next, we visit the Melvana Museum.  Dinner this evening is at our hotel.  (B, D)

WED, JUN 4, DAY 8: KONYA / ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA / ANTALYA
After breakfast, we depart Konya and head north to Antioch of Pisidia.  St. Paul came here with Barnabas in the 1st century AD and chose it as a center for his missionary activities. His first recorded sermon to the congregation of a synagogue was given here.  Later, the first and largest church in Anatolia dedicated to St. Paul was constructed on this site. This church and the remains of the synagogue beneath it can still be seen today.  Our dinner and evening are in Antalya.  (B, D)

THU, JUN 5, DAY 9: ANTALYA:  EXCURSION TO PERGE & ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, PLUS ASPENDOS
After breakfast, our first visit today is to ancient Perge, whose stadium theatre is one of the best-preserved in Turkey.   Paul and Barnabas passed through Perge on their way to and from Antioch on their first journey.   We visit the Archeology Museum in Antalya, one of the finest in modern day Turkey. We will also take time to visit the ancient theatre at Aspendos. We take some time to rest at our hotel in Antalya. Dinner this evening is at our hotel.  (B, D)

FRI, JUN 6, DAY 10: ANTALYA / DEMRE / KAS
Today we travel the short distance to Demre (Myre in antiquity), one of the most important towns of ancient Lycia. St. Paul is known to have visited the city, and in the 4th century St. Nicholas was its bishop. 

SAT, JUN 7, DAY 11:  KAS / PATARA / PAMUKKALE
Today we depart to Patara, the birthplace of St. Nicholas and an important Roman port.  St. Paul sailed here en route to Rome.

We continue to Hierapolis, present day Pamukkale. St. Philip was martyred here in 80 AD.  Our hotel offers thermal spring waters laden with calcium oxide, which is reputed to have certain curative capabilities. These spring waters, falling over a plateau edge, have created a cascade of dazzling white petrified basins - a beautiful photo opportunity! Dinner is served at our hotel. (B, D)

SUN, JUN 8, DAY 12: PAMUKKALE / SART / BASILICA OF ST. JOHN / KUSADASI
This morning we take time to enjoy the beauty of Pamukkale before continuing on to Sart (ancient Sardis), the site of the legendary capital of the Lydian Empire, and where the first coins in the world were minted.  During the early Christian period, Sardis became one of the Seven Churches which were mentioned by St. John in The Book of Revelation.  We will visit the remains of the notable Jewish synagogue here.

After driving to Ephesus, we visit the Basilica of St. John, built by Justinian in the 6th century.  The church houses the tomb of St. John.  We continue on to Kusadasi, situated on the Aegean coast, for dinner and the evening.  (B, D)

MON, JUN 9, DAY 13: KUSADASI: EXCURSION TO EPHESUS & MILETUS

We begin our day at Ephesus.  In ancient times, it was the largest city and major harbor on the western coast.

St. Paul founded the Church in Ephesus.  From here, he wrote letters to Galatia, Philippi, and Corinth. We visit the great theatre where St. Paul addressed the crowds; also, the site of the scene of the riot from which Paul escaped.

We will visit the ruins of an early 4th century Christian church with a baptistery and bishop’s residence.  This church was named Church of the Virgin Mary and in 431 AD, the Third Ecumenical Council met here and affirmed Mary as Theotokos, ‘Mother of God.’  This church is also known as the Council Church.

Early Christian tradition identified John the Apostle with Ephesus and affirmed that he wrote his Gospel here. Early Christian tradition has also associated Mary, mother of Jesus, with Ephesus, because of Jesus committing her to the care of ‘the disciple whom He loved’.  We visit theMeryem Ana (The House of Mary).

We continue to Miletus. From here, Paul sailed en route to Jerusalem.  We return to Kusadasi for dinner and the evening.  (B, D)

TUE, JUN 10, DAY 14: KUSADASI / IZMIR / PERGAMUM / ASSOS
Our first stop today is Izmir, ancient Smyrna.  Ancient authors refer to Smyrna as one of the most flourishing and beautiful cities of Asia.  Polycarp was martyred here, after serving as Bishop of Hierapolis.  

On the road north, we visit ancient Pergamum, once one of the biggest trade centers of the whole Mediterranean and the commercial rival of Ephesus.  The ruins here are impressive. We will see the acropolis, including the theatre and the Zeus altar.  We view the Asclepion, a sanctuary dedicated to the god of Health, Asclepios. After our visit, we continue on to Assos, (Behramkale, Asos), an ancient seaside Aeolian city, for dinner and the evening.  (B, D)

WED, JUN 11, DAY 15: ASSOS / IZNIK (NICAEA) / ISTANBUL
This morning we depart Assos for Iznik, ancient Nicaea.  The first Council of Nicaea was held during the reign of Constatine in 325 A.D.  It defined more clearly the concept of the Trinity, and drew up the Nicene Creed.   Centuries later, Empress Irene convened the 7th Council in Iznik in 787 A.D.

We see the Massive Medieval walls as well as the ruins of Hagia Sohia Church, scene of the 7th council, and visit the museum before continuing on to Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) for an orientation tour of the city referred to as “Earth’s Pearl.”   (B, D)  

THU, JUN 12, DAY 16: ISTANBUL: ROMAN HIPPODROME, ST. SOFIA, BLUE MOSQUE & TOPKAPI PALACE
Istanbul (Constantinople) became the capital of the Roman Empire under Constantine in 330 AD, and remained as capital of the Byzantine Empire until 1453, when the Ottoman army under Sultan Mehmet II conquered it.

We begin our day with a visit to the site of The Roman Hippodrome, built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 AD. The hippodrome was a stadium which served as a meeting place for the politicians, for chariot races, wrestling, boxing, and other athletic activities.

Next, we visit the former Basilica of St. Sofia. Built by Justinian in the 6th Century, the extraordinary masterpiece of Byzantine architecture is covered in splendid mosaics dating back to the 11th and 12th Centuries.  Once a basilica, then a mosque, St. Sofia’s now serves as a museum. 

Later, we visit the nearby Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, known as the ‘Blue Mosque’ for its marvelous interior decoration of turquoise tiles. Our day concludes at the Topkapi Palace Museum, site of the home of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries.   Dinner is served at a local restaurant this evening. (B, D)

FRI, JUN 13, DAY 17: ISTANBUL: ST. SAVIOUR IN CHORA & MOSQUE OF SULEIMAN 
This morning we view the stunning mosaics of the Church

of St. Saviour in Chora, also known as the Kariye Museum.   Next, we visit the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, known as the culmination point of Ottoman architecture, reflecting the golden age of the Ottoman Empire at the height of its political and military power. The balance of the day is at leisure, perhaps to browse in the Grand Bazaar, with its labyrinth of over 4000 shops and stalls.  Or you may wish to explore the ancient underground Roman Cisterns.  We will also request a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarchate (pending final confirmation). Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a cruise on the Bosphorus.  (B, D)

SAT, JUN 14, DAY 18: RETURN TO USA
After breakfast this morning, we transfer to the Istanbul Airport to begin our journey home. (B)