Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you are met with a friendly "merhaba" (hello) and escorted to your hotel. Learn more about the cultural adventure you’ll taste during dinner from your guide.

Istanbul, the Turkish capital, sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You’ll visit the famous Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Visit Topkapi Palace, once home to royal Sultans. Inside, you will see the jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the Kitchen Quarters and the Harem Quarters. Walk through St. Sophia which, for 1,000 years, was the largest church in Christendom. Built by Justinian (532–537 AD), it is today the Museum of Byzantine Art. Next you will visit the Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 shops. This afternoon, you will fly to Adana, known as the “biggest village in Turkey”. Overnight in Adana.

Ancient Antioch was the centre of Hellenistic civilization in the region and home to a massive temple and oraacle complex dedicated to Apollo. Christian roots go deep into Antioch soil. Many Christians from Jerusalem fled to Antioch following the death of Stephen. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch for a year and built a strong church. Later, the city became the centre from which Paul performed his missionary labours. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first labelled “Christians” by their Roman masters. The first non-Jews were accepted into the early church here. Overnight Adana.

Tarsus was the birthplace of Paul and he visited Tarsus on his second and third missionary journeys. Enjoy the beautiful coastal drive to Side where Roman ruins of the Byzantine period still remain, including the theatres and baths. Overnight in Side.

The Aspendos amphitheatre, known for its extraordinary acoustics, is extremely well preserved and still in use today for special events. Nearby is a Hellenistic city where Paul preached (Acts 14: 25). The ruins of a large stadium, baths and tomb give ample evidence of its former greatness. Paul and Barnabas visited here on their first journey and Paul probably preached here two years later. Hierapolis is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best preserved ruins in Asia Minor. Christianity came to Hierapolis via Paul (Colossians 4:13). The ruins cover more than a mile and the amphitheatre, with seats, is still in perfect condition. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “the Cotton Castle”. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Colossae is famous for Paul’s Letter to the Colossians but now the town has fallen into obscurity. There are many ruins to see here. Near Colossae is the town of Aphrodisias whose fame has also been obscured by time. This city of marble thrived as the major centre for worship of the Goddess Aphrodite until 500 years after Christ.The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, were chastised for being lukewarm “you are neither cold nor hot” and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. There are many ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Asia. In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000. The city has wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Today, the major streets of ancient Ephesus have been excavated. You’ll view the Library and Agora. The Temple of Artem was declared as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Only a single column now remains to mark the site. You will visit the Museum of Ephesus to view the artifacts from the ancient city. Nearby is the ancient seaport of Miletus. This wealthy city was a cultural and intellectual centre. On his way to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, Paul asked the elders of Ephesus to meet him in Miletus where he predicted his own death. Today, in Miletus, you’ll see the finest Roman period theatre. On several of the front row seats are inscriptions which reserve the seats for those whose names they bear. You will also view the three-storey fountain built by Titus. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Leave Kusadasi for Izmir, the third largest city in modern Turkey and a centre for Jewish and Christian communities. In Paul’s day the town was known as Smyrna. It was one of the Seven Churches of Asia. You’ll see the Agora, the colonnaded commercial centre where Roman statues can still be seen. Thyatira was once a busy trading centre and famous as a “seller of purple”. Today it is famous for Persian rugs. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches of Asia and Paul may have visited the town during his missionary journeys. Another of the Seven Churches of Asia, Sardis, was berated by John the Prophet for its facade of strength when in reality it was weak. In Sardis, coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. You’ll be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis and by the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium and the synagogue. Philadelphia is also one of the Seven Churches and we will visit it also. Today, not much is left to mark the spot but you will see an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Overnight in Bergama.

The most favoured of the Seven Churches was Pergamum. Christianity reached the city very early and the church was praised for its forbearance during hard times. In Pergamum, the first Christians were executed by Rome.Towering 1,000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular panorama is the fabled Acropolis. As you pass through the Royal Gates, you will enter one of the great centres of classic Greek culture. You’ll see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena and the ruins of the Library, which once held 200,000 parchment volumes. See the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium and the Health Centre (Aeslepion). Nearby is Troas. Here, on his second missionary journey, Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia. Later, during his third journey, Paul spent a week in Troas preaching and resurrected Eutychus. Overnight in Canakkale.

In Troy, history is buried in myth and mud. Nine layers of the fabled city have been found. Homer’s Iliad relates the legendary story of the Trojan war. Travel to Istanbul via the beautiful Dardanelles. Overnight in Istanbul.

Transfer to Airport for final departure to home.