Paul's Mission: Journey In Asia
Topic: Art & StudySample Itinerary
DAY 01 - DEPARTURE
Check in at your local airport for the transatlantic flight.
DAY 02 - ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by your Turkish tour guide and motorcoach and transferred to the hotel.
DAY 03 - ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll begin your sightseeing of Istanbul. Visits are planned to Hagia Sophia, The Sultan Ahmet I Mosque (Blue Mosque), the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Orthodox Patriarchate.
DAY 04 - ISTANBUL, ANKARA
You'll spend the morning at the incredible Topkapi Palace. It now houses a collection of impressive museums that showcase the treasures of the past sultans including illuminated manuscripts, tapestries, and jewels. Next you will visit the Archaeological Museum which houses a vast collection of sculpture and ancient sarcophagi, including that believed to be of Alexander the Great. Then you'll transfer to the airport for the short flight to Ankara. Upon arrival you'll transfer to the hotel.
DAY 05 - ANKARA, CORUM
Your sightseeing tour of Ankara begins in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Next you'll visit the Temple of Augustus and the impressive Atatark Mausoleum and then drive to Corum for a two-night stay.
DAY 06 - EXCURSION TO HITTITE SITES, CORUM
Today, you'll travel about 120 kilometers east to visit the famous Hittite sites which are contained within a triangle bounded by Bogazkale, Yazilkaya and Alocahöyük. In the afternoon, you'll return to Corum.
DAY 07 - EXCURSION THROUGH CAPPADOCIA, NEVSEHIR
After breakfast this morning, you'll depart Corum for Cappadocia. Your exploration here will allow a closer look at the often surrealistic shapes that have been formed over time by the lava spewed from the mountains. Rock chapels and churches are found in profusion in the Göreme Valley. In the village of Ürgüp, it's possible to view man-made caves which serve as dwellings. Following your visit here, you'll continue on to Nevsehir for the overnight.
DAY 08 - KAYMAKLI, TARSUS, ADANA
Leaving Nevsehir, you will stop at the underground city of Kaymakli for a visit. Continuing south, you'll pass through Nigde and then make a brief stop at the Roman aqueduct, pool and hot springs in Kemerhisar. You will also go through the Cilician Gates which was the major pass from East to West. Next drive to Tarsus for a visit. Your final destination for today is Adana.
DAY 09 - ANTAKYA, ADANA
Your journey takes you further east and then south to Antakya where you'll visit the Archaeological Museum. Before leaving Antakya to return to Adana, you'll also visit the gardens and waterfalls of Daphne and Seleucia.
DAY 10 - KONYA
You'll follow the Mediterranean coast to Silifke, passing through Mersin and along the Roman ruins near Kanlidivane. From Silifke, you'll proceed through the scenic mountainous terrain to Karaman. Here, you'll visit the excavations and well-preserved ruins of three fifth-century churches at Alahan. From Karaman to Konya you'll pass through the area where Derbe and Lystra are located. Near Konya is Çatal Höyük where there are ruins which are over 9,000 years old. Your overnight accommodations will be provided in Konya.
DAY 11 - KONYA, ANTALYA
After a visit to the Archaeological Museum, you will visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Your afternoon drive will take you through the highland plateau west and southward to the Mediterranean coast and Antalya.
DAY 12 - ANTALYA
Today you will take in the sights in and around Antalya. The first visit will be to the Roman ruins at Aspendos. Then you'll visit the extensive Roman ruins at Side and the ancient town of Perga.
Day 13 - LAODICIA, PAMUKKALE
Traveling northwest, you will arrive at Laodicia situated on the Anatolian Plateau just outside of Pamukkale. The ruins here include a stadium and two theatres. After your visit here, transfer to Pamukkale for the overnight.
DAY 14 - PAMUKKALE, APHRODISIAS, KUSADASI
You'll spend some time in Pamukkale this morning. The ruins of ancient Hierapolis are located at Pamukkale. After your tour, you'll drive west to Aphrodisias. At day's end you'll find yourself in the port city of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast.
DAY 15 - EPHESUS, ALASEHIR, SARDIS, KUSADASI
This morning you will visit ancient Ephesus. Near the ancient city are the scant remains of the Temple of Artemis. You will also visit the nearby early Christian sites including the Basilica of John, Tomb of St. John and Meryemana. Proceeding eastward you'll come to Alasehir. Next you'll drive to ancient Sardis where there are actually two sites to visit. At day's end, you will return to the hotel in Kusadasi.
DAY 16 - AKHISAR, BERGAMA, ISMIR, ISTANBUL
This morning you will drive to Akhisar, before proceeding on to Bergama. Today, atop the Acropolis, you can see parts of the Royal Gate which opens onto the famous Library. Also visible are the ruins of an altar built in honor of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trojan, other temples and a theatre on the west slope. South and west of the Acropolis are the Red Courtyard and a complex of Roman ruins, including the Asklepieion. Late afternoon you will return to Izmir for the short flight to Istanbul.
DAY 17 - ISTANBUL
The entire day is at leisure for independent exploration and shopping in Istanbul.
DAY 18 - RETURN
You'll transfer to the airport for your return flights to the U.S. today.
