istanbul

Istanbul & Ephesus

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE – WEDNESDAY

London - Istanbul

Morning flight of Turkish Airlines from Heathrow. Arrive Istanbul and transfer to our 4-star hotel in the city, for a two-night stay. Dinner is in our hotel on each night of our stay in Istanbul and Kusadasi.
 

DAY TWO – THURSDAY

Istanbul

This morning we visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, and the monuments of the Hippodrome. We also visit the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, associated with Pope John XXIII, who was Bishop here before and during the Second World War. Mass will be celebrated here. In the afternoon, we visit the Topkapi Palace, and the former church of St Saviour in Chora, with its famous frescoes.

DAY THREE – FRIDAY

Istanbul - Kusadasi

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for the one hour flight to Izmir. Drive to the seaside resort of Kusadasi where we check into our hotel (4-star) for a four-night stay. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
 

DAY FOUR – SATURDAY

Ephesus

Today we tour the extensive remains of Ephesus with the amphitheatre where St Paul caused a riot (described in Acts 19), and the ruined basilica of St Mary where the council of Ephesus was held in 425, granting Our Lady the title of Theotokos or Bearer of God.

DAY FIVE – SUNDAY

Shrine of Meryam Ana

We take a trip to the nearby Franciscan-run Shrine of Meryam Ana, the Holy House of Mary, home of Our Lady in her last years and visited by both Paul VI and John Paul II. Mass will be celebrated here. Also nearby is the interesting Byzantine Shrine of the Seven Sleepers.

DAY SIX – MONDAY

Izmir - Istanbul - London Airport

This morning is at leisure before we transfer in the early afternoon to Izmir Airport for our return flight to Stansted or (via Istanbul) Heathrow.

Travel Dates and Cost:

24th October 2012 - 29th October 2012
Six Days
£969

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £150 (plus the travel insurance premium if the cover we offer is required) per person on booking, balance payable two months before the departure date.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled flights on Turkish Airlines or easyJet: London - Istanbul/Izmir - Istanbul - London. U.K. and Turkey airport taxes. Five-nights accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in 4-star hotels. Meal plan: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners. All touring and transfers in Turkey by air-conditioned coach as per the itinerary. Fully licensed English-speaking guide/tour manager in Turkey. All entrance fees as per the itinerary. ATOL and AITO financial protection.
 

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance at £29.50 per person. Single room supplement at £125 per person for 5 nights (limited availability). £10 entry visa for Turkey, payable on entry. Fuel surcharges if passed on by the airline. Lunches, drinks. Refreshments on board easyJet aircraft.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

This tour will be led by a Roman Catholic priest. However, members of all Christian denominations will be welcome.

OTHER PILGRIMAGES IN The Journeys of Saint Paul