istanbul

In The Footsteps of St Paul: A Spiritual & Cultural Journey to Turkey including Ephesus

Introduction

A visit to Turkey without seeing Istanbul is unthinkable, with all its early Christian heritage. Hence, we start in Istanbul, and then fly down to Izmir. Our second hotel will be in the seaside resort of Kusadasi.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER

London - Istanbul

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

DAY TWO - SUNDAY 19TH OCTOBER

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 there will be some time at leisure.

DAY THREE - MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER

Istanbul

We visit the 19th century church of St Anthony of Padua, run by Italian Franciscans, in the former European Quarter. We also visit the former church of St Saviour in Chora, with its famous frescoes, and then plunge through the steep streets of the Fener District to the Greek Patriarchate and its church. In the afternoon there will be a cruise on a boat on the Bosphorus.

DAY FOUR - TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER

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 FIVE - WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER

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 Mother of God.

DAY SIX - THURSDAY 23RD OCTOBER

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 SEVEN - FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER

Miletus

Today we visit Miletus, 30 miles south of Ephesus, which was a city visited by St Paul, before he returned to Jerusalem. Here he reminded the elders of Ephesus how he had “served the Lord in all humility”. Visit the ruins of the theatre where St Paul spoke to the Elders. Return to Kusadasi for our last afternoon in Turkey at leisure.

DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER

Izmir - Istanbul - London

Today this morning is at leisure before we transfer in the early afternoon to Izmir Airport for our return Turkish Airlines flight to Stansted.

Travel Dates and Cost:

18th October 2008 - 25th October 2008
Eight Days
£749

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £90 per person on booking (plus insurance if required). Available for groups of a minimum of 25 participants, throughout the year.
THIS PRICE IS GUARANTEED UNTIL THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, AFTER THIS TIME THERE MAY BE A FLIGHT SURCHARGE.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled flights on Turkish Airlines: London Heathrow – Istanbul, Izmir – London Stansted. UK and Turkey airport taxes. 7 nights accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in 4 star hotels in Istanbul and Kusadasi. Breakfast and dinner each day starting with dinner on day one and finishing with breakfast on day 8. Transfers by air-conditioned coach between hotels and airports. Transportation by air-conditioned coach. Fees to museums and ancient ruins. Local English-speaking guide/Tour Escort. A copy of the book Every Pilgrim’s Guide to Journeys of the Apostles.

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance, currently at £26 per person. Single room supplement at £84 for 7 nights (Limited number of single rooms available). Lunches, drinks and souvenirs.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical