Arrival at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.

In the morning see the horse racing track of the Byzantines, the Hippodrome and visit the Blue Mosque, masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. See the church of Hagia Sophia. After lunch visit the Topkapi Palace, famous with its porcelain collection and the treasury. At the end of the day proceed to Grand Bazaar for shopping.

In the morning flight to Izmir. Visit the St. Polycarp Church in Izmir and drive to Pergamum. Visit the Acropolis of this Hellenistic city, where the throne of the Satan was. After visiting the Acropolis of Pergamum visit the Asclepium, the healing center of antiquity. Later drive to Thyatira which had the smallest population of the seven churches. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Early morning drive to Kusadasi. Visit Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, Virgin Mary’s House and Selçuk Ephesus Museum or St. John Church. After having lunch in Selcuk, drive to Pamukkale and overnight.

In the morning visit the ancient Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, graveyard. Drive to Aphrodisias and lunch. Later visit the ruins (The local museum is optional). Overnight in Pamukkale.

In the morning drive to Antalya. Half day city tour and transfer to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast tour to Perge Theatre, Agora, Stadium and columned street. Proceed to Aspendos, one of the best preserved theatres in the world. Visit Side Museum, theatre, temples. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast tour to ancient Myra, which is especially known for SANTA CLAUS (St.Nicholas) who was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during the 4th century and died here in 342, A.D. Every year on 25 December the Santa Claus Commemoration Ceremony is held attracting many Christians, who spend their Christmas Holiday in ancient Lycia. Back to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Visit Konya (Iconium), Mevlana Mosque and Mausoleum, proceed to Cappadocia for overnight

Visit Goreme, Zelve Valley, Underground City. Overnight in Cappadocia

Depart to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul , continue to Antakya (Biblical city of Antioch) where St.Paul, and St. Barnabas stayed. Overnight in Antakya.

Visit the Museum of Antioch with its famous mosaics and St. Peter’s Grotto, the Cave Church where early Christians met in secret. Drive to Gaziantep. Transfer to hotel, overnight.

Drive to Hromgla ( Rumkale ); was a very important place during the 11th century. It is told that St. John copied the drafts of the New Testament and hid them in the castle and later the copies have been carried to Beirut. After lunch break, visit the G.Antep Museum and sighseeing tour in G.Antep city center. Overnight.

After breakfast full day tour to Yesemek Magical Statues, which is one of the important points of late Hittite period. Yesemek’s open air sculpture workshop has the important masterpieces in the world with its 350 huge statues (3500 years old.). visit Ancient Belkiz/Zeugma (2nd -3rd centuries A.D.) which provided barracks for the Roman Legions, laying along the quiet banks of the Euphrates River, the site has proven to be a treasure house. Drive to S.Urfa. Dinner and overnight.

Drive to tradition relates that Abraham was born in a cave near where the Mevlid Halil Mosque now stands. The remains of a castle with two lone Corinthian columns rising above the ruined walls, stands atop a small crest. At the foot of the hills, the lovely Halil Rahman Mosque is built around a quiet pool in which sacred carp swim. Visit to the 17th century Ottoman Ridvaniye Mosque and the Firfirli Mosque, formerly the Church of the Apostles, are worth a detour. Walking tour Bazaar & handcraft workshops, Ceravanserai, Gumruk Hani. Dinner and overnight in S.Urfa.

Drive to Harran. Harran is known more now for its unusual beehive dwellings than as the place where Abraham spent several years of his life. The archaeological remains include those of the largest ancient Islamic University, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel. After lunch break, drive to Mardin. Halfday city tour. Dinner and overnight.

Drive to Kirklar Monastry. Visit to only 7 kilometers east of Mardin is the Syriac Jacobite Monastery Deyrulzafaran which once was a thriving religious community. After lunch break, half day ancient Mardin. Dinner and overnight.

Drive to Midyat. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as telkari, has many elegant, historic houses. Visit to the eighteen kilometers east of town, the actively functioning Syriac Jacobite monastery, Deyrelumur (San Gabriel), dates from the beginning of the fifth century. Drive to Nusaybin, overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

Transfer to Istanbul airport for final departure home.