Designed for families and private groups travelling at a gentle, child-friendly pace, this eleven-day journey follows the footsteps of the early Christians across Anatolia, from the cave church of St Peter in Hatay to the great sites of the New Testament at Ephesus. With a licensed private guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and daily breakfasts at hand-picked hotels, it weaves biblical heritage together with the natural wonders of Cappadocia and Pamukkale in a relaxed, story-rich itinerary that children and grandparents can enjoy together.
The tour opens in Istanbul before an evening flight to Hatay, ancient Antioch, where the first believers were called Christians. Here you visit Seleucia Pieria and the rock-cut St Pierre (St Peter) Cave Church, one of the oldest churches in Christianity, then continue to Tarsus, birthplace of the Apostle Paul, to see Ancient Tarsus, St Paul's Well and the Roman Road. The route crosses to Cappadocia, where open valleys and short, easy walks make the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Pasabag fairy chimneys and Pigeon Valley a delight for children, followed by a visit to one of the region's underground cities and the Aya Eleni (St Helen) Church in Konya.
From central Anatolia the journey heads south to Pisidian Antioch, where the Apostle Paul preached, and on to Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, the base for a family-friendly exploration of Perge Ancient City and the towering theatre of Aspendos. You then drive to Pamukkale to walk the white travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis and Laodicea — one of the seven churches of Revelation — before reaching the great city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and St John's Basilica, with a final night on the Aegean at Kusadasi. A domestic flight returns you to Istanbul for your departure.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
On arrival in Istanbul you are welcomed and given a brief orientation. In the evening you take a domestic flight to Hatay, where your transfer service meets you and takes you to your hotel. Overnight in Hatay.
After breakfast your private guide begins a relaxed sightseeing day, visiting Seleucia Pieria (Cevlik) and the St Pierre (St Peter) Cave Church, where the first Christians of Antioch gathered in secret. The pace is gentle, with time for children to explore and rest. You then continue to Tarsus before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Tarsus.
Your guide meets you at the hotel for a morning among the sites of Ancient Tarsus, St Paul's Well and the Roman Road, with explanations presented in a simple, engaging way for younger travellers. In the afternoon you set off for Cappadocia with comfort stops along the way. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Parents may take an optional early-morning hot-air balloon flight, while a relaxed alternative is available for families with children. After breakfast you visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Pasabag fairy chimneys and Pigeon Valley, where open spaces and short walks make for an enjoyable, unhurried day. Overnight in Cappadocia.
After hotel pick-up you explore one of Cappadocia's underground cities, with the route adapted for families and focused on safe, easy sections. You then continue to Konya to visit the Aya Eleni (St Helen) Church before driving to your hotel. Overnight in Konya.
Your private guide departs with you for Pisidian Antioch, where the Apostle Paul preached, visited at a gentle pace with regular breaks. After sightseeing you continue to Antalya on the Mediterranean coast. Overnight in Antalya.
After breakfast you set out for a family-friendly exploration of Perge Ancient City and the impressive theatre of Aspendos, where open areas and storytelling about ancient life keep children engaged. Overnight in Antalya.
Your guide drives you to Pamukkale to see the white travertines, the Roman spa city of Hierapolis and the ruins of Laodicea, one of the seven churches of Revelation. Time is allowed for photos, short walks and rest breaks suited to families. Overnight in Pamukkale.
After hotel pick-up you visit the Ancient City of Ephesus with engaging explanations tailored for children, then continue to the House of the Virgin Mary and St John's Basilica. You transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk. Overnight in Kusadasi.
After breakfast you transfer to Kusadasi or Izmir airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and continue to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your return flight home. End of our services.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul, Hatay → Hatay, Tarsus → Tarsus, Cappadocia → Cappadocia → Cappadocia, Konya → Konya, Antalya → Antalya, Perge, Aspendos → Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea → Ephesus, Kusadasi → Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
👥 55 Seats
👥 54 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
👥 37 Seats
👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Hatay, Hatay, Tarsus, Tarsus, Cappadocia, Cappadocia, Cappadocia, Konya, Konya, Antalya, Antalya, Perge, Aspendos, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul.
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!