This fourteen-day private journey traces the story of early Christianity from Constantinople to Antioch. It visits all Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation, the cities where St. Paul preached and wrote, the councils that shaped the creed and the cave where St. John received his visions on Patmos. Accommodation is in 4- and 5-star hotels with daily breakfast, and an English-speaking guide accompanies the whole programme.
The tour begins in Istanbul with Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the church of St. Irene and the mosaics of Chora. From there it crosses to İznik, ancient Nicaea, where the first and seventh ecumenical councils met, and to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital. Along the Aegean you visit Gallipoli, Troy and Alexandria Troas, the port where Paul met Luke, before reaching Pergamum with its Asclepion, acropolis and the great Red Basilica.
The heart of the trip is the circuit of the Seven Churches: Pergamum, Thyatira (Akhisar), Sardis, Philadelphia (Alaşehir), Smyrna (Izmir), Ephesus and Laodicea. At Ephesus you also see Meryemana, the house traditionally linked to Mary, and the church built over St. John's tomb, then Miletus, where Paul addressed the Ephesian elders. A private boat takes you to the Greek island of Patmos for the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John.
Inland, the route continues to Aphrodisias, Hierapolis and Pisidian Antioch, then to Konya, biblical Iconium, and the rock churches of Cappadocia. The final stops are Tarsus, Paul's birthplace, and Antakya, ancient Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. A domestic flight returns you to Istanbul.
The pace is full but rewarding, ideal for church groups, pilgrims and anyone interested in biblical history who wants to see the key sites in a single, well-organised trip.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 Days 13 Nights |
| Price | From €3,874 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 14 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a short orientation tour of the city in the afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul.
A full day in the old city: Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, followed by the Byzantine church of St. Irene and the mosaics and frescoes of Chora. Overnight in Istanbul.
Drive to İznik, ancient Nicaea, where the first and seventh ecumenical councils of the Church were held. Continue to Bursa to see the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb. Overnight in Bursa.
Travel to Çanakkale for the Gallipoli battlefields and the ruins of Troy, then on to Alexandria Troas, the harbour where Paul met Luke. Overnight in Ayvalık.
Visit Pergamum: the Asclepion healing centre, the acropolis and the Red Basilica, built over a Serapis temple and later dedicated to St. John. Continue to Akhisar, the site of ancient Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches. Overnight in Izmir.
See Sardis, capital of the Lydian kingdom, and the church beside the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Alaşehir, ancient Philadelphia, and return to Izmir to visit the Church of St. Polycarp, recalling the church of Smyrna. Overnight in Izmir.
Explore Ephesus, where Paul lived and taught, together with Meryemana, the house where Mary is believed to have spent her last years, and the basilica over the tomb of St. John. Continue to Miletus, where Paul spoke to the elders of Ephesus. Overnight in Kuşadası.
Tour Hierapolis and the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, including the Roman bath later used as a church, then visit Laodicea, the 'lukewarm' church of Revelation. Return to Kuşadası for the night.
A day trip by private boat to the Greek island of Patmos to visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John received his revelation, and the Monastery of St. John. Return to Kuşadası in the evening.
Drive inland to Aphrodisias, the city of the goddess Aphrodite, with further time at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Visit Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached on his first journey, and Konya, biblical Iconium, including the Mevlana Museum and mausoleum. Continue to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Discover Göreme with its rock-cut churches, the Zelve Valley and an underground city. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Travel to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, and on to Antakya, biblical Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas stayed. Overnight in Antakya.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul and your onward journey.
Arrival in Istanbul → Istanbul historic sites → Iznik & Bursa → Canakkale, Gallipoli, Troy & Alexandra Troas → Pergamum & Akhisar → Sardes & Alasehir → Ephesus & Miletos → Pamukkale & Laodicea → Patmos boat tour → Aphrodisias & Laodicea revisit → Konya & Cappadocia → Cappadocia exploration → Tarsus & Antakya → Departure from Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 50 Seats
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👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
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👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Arrival in Istanbul, Istanbul historic sites, Iznik & Bursa, Canakkale, Gallipoli, Troy & Alexandra Troas, Pergamum & Akhisar, Sardes & Alasehir, Ephesus & Miletos, Pamukkale & Laodicea, Patmos boat tour, Aphrodisias & Laodicea revisit, Konya & Cappadocia, Cappadocia exploration, Tarsus & Antakya, Departure from Istanbul.
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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!