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In The Footsteps of St Paul: A Spiritual & Cultural Journey to Turkey including Ephesus
Led by Fr John O'Leary

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 - TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

London - Istanbul

Morning flight of Turkish Airlines from Heathrow. 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 - WEDNESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER

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 - THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

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 - FRIDAY 1ST 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 - SATURDAY 2ND 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 - SUNDAY 3RD 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 - MONDAY 4TH 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 - TUESDAY 5TH 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 London.

Travel Dates and Cost:

28th September 2010 - 5th October 2009
Eight Days
£869

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 per person on booking (plus insurance if required).

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled flights on Turkish Airlines: London Heathrow – Istanbul, Izmir – London Heathrow. UK and Turkey airport taxes. 7 nights accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities in 4 star hotels in Istanbul and Kusadasi. Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner each day starting with dinner on day one and finishing with breakfast on day eight. 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 manager. A copy of the book Every Pilgrim’s Guide to Journeys of the Apostles. This tour will be open to members of all Christian denominations. Also available for groups of a minimum of 25 participants throughout the year.

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance, currently at £28.50 per person. Single room supplement at £112 for 7 nights (Limited number of single rooms available). Lunches, drinks and souvenirs.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Catholic

OTHER PILGRIMAGES IN The Journeys of Saint Paul