Catholic 11 days – Footsteps of St. Paul
DAY 1
Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival in Istanbul our professional Tour Manager will meet and assist us to our private deluxe motor coach for transfer to
the hotel. Welcome reception and orientation. Time to unpack and rest. Tonight, dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
DAY 2
After a buffet breakfast we begin touring of Istanbul, including St. Sophia's, the master piece of Byzantine architecture, the Blue Mosque with its
magnificent interior and blue tiles, Topkapi Palace to see the treasures of the Sultans and the Hippodrome, where chariot races took place during the
Roman Empire. Time to have lunch and browse the shops and the famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered market in the world. Dinner
and overnight Istanbul. (B, D)
DAY 3
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Izmir and proceed on to ancient Smyrna, a historic civilization of 50 centuries that shares
the title with Athens of having the longest history of any Mediterranean civilization. It was here that St. Polycarp, a disciple of St. John, met a martyr's
death at the age of 92 in 155 AD. After hotel check-in and lunch, we visit the Church of Smyrna (one of the famous Seven Churches of Asia Minor) and
tour the highlights of this ancient city including the one-time European Main Square. Dinner and overnight Izmir. (B, D)
DAY 4
Today we visit Sardis, Philadelphia and Pamukkale, one of the most picturesque areas. King Croesus of Sardis was the first to mint pure gold and silver
coins here, guaranteed by the face value. In Sardis we will visit the temple, the beautiful Byzantine church, and the Roman era synagogue. We continue
on to Philadelphia where we will visit the great Basilica with some 11th century frescoes. We then visit Pamukkale’s “cotton castle,” an apt description
of the natural phenomenon of fantastic white limestone terraces. A fantastic sight at sunset, see the necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis.
Dinner and overnight Pamukkale. (B, D)
DAY 5
After breakfast we depart for Kusadasi. En route we will visit Laodicea which was at the crossroads between Sardis and Perge. We continue on to the
beautifully excavated Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, with its near perfect stadium, theatre, and temple. Afternoon arrival in Kusadasi, a seaside
resort town. Dinner and overnight Kusadasi. (B, D)
DAY 6
Today we will have a full day visit to Ephesus. St. Paul called it "the most beautiful city in the entire world." Visit the great library, the amphitheater
where Paul addressed an angry pagan mob and the tower where St. Paul was imprisoned and wrote the letters to the Ephesians. It was here that in
431 AD the historic Third Ecumenical Council convened and declared Mary the Mother of Jesus, and where the Virgin Mary spent her final years
between 37 and 48 A.D with St. Paul. We will also visit the house of the Virgin Mary, spectacularly located above the ruins. It is believed that St. John
brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, and that she spent the rest of her days in this house on the hilltop. The home is visited by thousands of pilgrims
each year, and Pope John Paul II celebrated mass here in the Church of the Virgin Mary. We also visit St. John’s Basilica, believed to have been built
over the tomb of the Apostle, and the temple of Diana which is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Return to Kusadasi for dinner
and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 7
After breakfast we depart Kusadasi for the resort town of Bodrum. En route we will visit Priene, the absolutely perfect place for a picnic! Here we visit
the ancient and splendid amphitheater. After lunch we continue down the Aegean coast to visit the ancient city of Miletus - the most prosperous city
of the 6th century B.C. Nearby we visit Didyma, site of the Temple of Apollo. Afternoon arrival in the seaside city of Bodrum where the Castle of St.
Peter, built by order of the Pope in 1402, guards the entrance to semicircular Bodrum Bay. Dinner and overnight in Bodrum. (B,D)
DAY 8
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to flight for Athens. Arrival in Athens. After hotel
check-in and lunch on own, we will visit some of the highlights of ancient Athens including the Pnyx, the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Tonight, dinner
at a typical Greek restaurant. Overnight Athens (B, D)
DAY 9
Today we visit ancient Corinth. Time to explore the marketplace, the Temple of Apollo and the archaeological museum. Return to Athens. Tonight,
have a farewell dinner with music and Greek dancing! (B, D)
DAY 10
Full-day cruise of the Greek Islands Hydra, Poros and Aegina. Return to Athens. Dinner on own tonight. Overnight Athens. (B, L)
DAY 11
Transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. Free time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Dinner and overnight Istanbul. (B, D)
