15 Days St. Paul's Missionary Journey: Ankara, Cappadocia, Antioch, Ephesus & Istanbul Private Tour

You arrive in Ankara, usually on a connecting flight via Istanbul, and are met at the airport by our representative. After the transfer to your hotel the rest of the day is yours to rest or take a first walk around the Turkish capital. Overnight in Ankara.

The morning is spent with two of Ankara's essential visits: the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, whose collections trace the peoples of Anatolia from prehistory onwards, and Anitkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the Turkish Republic. Later you head south, following the shores of the vast Salt Lake, and reach Cappadocia late in the day. Overnight in Cappadocia.

A full day is devoted to the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia, overlooked by Mount Erciyes, the ancient Argaeus. The region was settled in early times and later sheltered Roman citizens and some of the earliest Christian communities. You explore the rock-cut churches of the Goreme valley, the abandoned cave settlement of Zelve, the pottery town of Avanos and the castle rock of Uchisar, seeing some of the finest of the many churches hollowed out of the soft tuff. Overnight in Cappadocia.

The day starts underground at Kaymakli, a multi-level city dug into the rock where early Christians are said to have hidden from persecution. Driving south you stop at historic caravanserais, the roadside inns of the old trade routes, before arriving in Adana on the Cilician plain. Overnight in Adana.

Today's excursion leads to Antioch (Antakya), where Paul, Peter and Barnabas built up a large church that became the hub of early missionary work, and where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. You visit Samandag and the harbour of Seleucia Pieria, from which Paul set sail for Cyprus, then the cave church known as the Grotto of St. Peter and the outstanding Mosaic Museum. Return to Adana for the night.

In Tarsus, the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, you see the old town, the Cleopatra Gate and St. Paul's Well. The road then follows the Mediterranean coast past the sites of Pompeiopolis and Corycus and the town of Silifke, before turning inland. A stop at Derbe, where Paul preached, precedes your arrival in Iconium, today's Konya. Overnight in Konya.

Continuing in Paul's footsteps, you visit Lystra and Pisidian Antioch, the earliest towns in which the apostle preached during his travels through Anatolia. From the highlands you descend to the Mediterranean and arrive in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

A day among the great cities of ancient Pamphylia. At Perge the stadium and theatre still testify to its former prestige. Aspendos boasts a Roman theatre for about 15,000 spectators, the best preserved in the Mediterranean world. In Side you walk past the seaside theatre, Roman baths and the scattered ruins of this harbour town before returning to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Travelling inland you reach Laodicea, the church admonished in the Book of Revelation for its lukewarm faith. The rest of the day is spent at Pamukkale and ancient Hierapolis, where warm mineral springs spill over white limestone terraces, the famous cotton castles. Overnight in Pamukkale.

The first visit is Philadelphia, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You continue to Sardis, the wealthy capital of ancient Lydia, a kingdom remembered in legend through King Midas and his golden touch. In Izmir, ancient Smyrna and traditionally the birthplace of Homer, you visit the Church of St. Polycarp. Overnight in Izmir.

Ephesus was the leading metropolis of Asia Minor in Paul's day, and the apostle ministered here for three years. You walk its 2,000-year-old marble streets, see the great theatre where Paul preached and the Library of Celsus, and visit the site of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the Seven Wonders of antiquity. The day also includes the stone house venerated as the home of the Virgin Mary as well as the tomb of St. John within his ruined basilica. Back to Izmir for the night.

At Pergamum you visit the Asclepion, the renowned healing centre of antiquity, walk up to the acropolis and see the Archaeological Museum. The route continues to Thyatira, the smallest of the Seven Churches and home town of Lydia, the seller of purple cloth whom Paul met in Philippi. You end the day on the Aegean coast in Ayvalik. Overnight in Ayvalik.

Following the coast you reach Alexandria Troas, where Paul received the vision that called him to carry the gospel to Europe. Next comes Troy, the city of the wooden horse legend, whose excavations reveal nine layers of settlement. On the way to Istanbul you stop in Bursa, a city of thermal springs and a site linked with the Ecumenical Councils of the Roman era. Arrive in Istanbul in the evening. Overnight in Istanbul.

The morning city tour covers Hagia Sophia, built under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the Blue Mosque of 1609-1616, the Roman Hippodrome and a short visit to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans. The afternoon is free; you may like to explore the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast and check-out you are transferred to the airport in Istanbul for your departure flight, concluding fifteen days in the footsteps of St. Paul.