A Pilgrimage from ANTALYA to CAPPADOCIA

Sep 27 Sat Pilgrims arrive at Antalya International Airport by 2pm – One group transfer to the hotel. After settling into our hotel, we take a stroll in Kaleici (Antalya’s beautiful old town), and visit the recently restored Sehzade Korkut Mosque (former Byzantine church of St Nicholas). We attend Vespers at the Greek Orthodox Chapel (D)

Sep 28 Sun Following breakfast we visit the sensational Roman theatre at Aspendos, and the Hellenistic city of Perge, founded in 300 BC as a colony of Pergamum. Paul and Barnabas passed through Perge on their way to Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13.13) and later came back to preach there. In the afternoon we visit Antalya’s excellent Museum, where we will see many sculptures and statues from Perge and other nearby classical sites. We celebrate the Eucharist at St Nicolas Roman Catholic Church. Overnight Antalya (B,D)

Sep 29 Mon We make an early start and head southeast to the city of Myra (Modern-day Demre) where we visit the well preserved Byzantine Basilica and tomb of St Nicholas, a place of pilgrimage to this day. We see the nearby Lycian cliff-tombs and Roman theatre. In the afternoon we have a three-hour private boat tour at Kekova, with opportunity to swim. Overnight Antalya (B,D)

Sep 30 Tue We drive north to the Pisidian city of Sagalassos, with its fabulous monuments dated form the Hellenistic period onwards. The city, which due to its remote location was only ‘discovered’ in 1985, is perched on a plateau with a backdrop of rugged mountains. We continue to Pisidian Antioch, on an impressive site above the Anthius River. The city was visited by Paul and Barnabas in 46 AD. Paul’s longest recorded sermon (Acts 13:16-41) was preached in the synagogue here! Overnight Konya (B,D)

Oct 1 Wed We spend the morning in the handsome city of Konya (Roman/Biblical Iconium), one of the oldest occupied cities in the world. A Christian congregation was founded here during Paul’s first journey (Acts 14:1), and he made at least one more visit (Acts 16: 2). We visit the splendid shrine-tomb of Mevlana (also known as Rumi) the great 13c Islamic scholar and mystic and see other examples of prestigious Selcuk architecture. After lunch we continue through classic Anatolian steppe, visiting the renowned Sulthanhan Caravanserai (c.1100). We reach Cappadocia and unwind at our hotel. (B,D)

Oct 2 Thu We spend the morning visiting the extraordinary cave churches with their breathtaking frescoes (9-11c) in the open-air museum at Goreme. After lunch we explore fairytale landscapes, villages and troglodyte monasteries nearby. We visit the Tursan Winery, Avanos Village. In the evening we experience a display of devotional whirling (in the tradition of Mevlana). (B,D)

Oct 3 Fri On our second day in Cappadocia: we visit magical Zelve Valley, and the villages of Uçhisar and Paşabağ. We will find a hallowed place to worship as we conclude our pilgrimage. (B,D)

Oct 4 Sat Transfer to Kayseri Airport and proceed to onward destinations.

• 3 Nights at Best Western Khan Hotel in Antalya or similar
• 1 Night at Anemon Hotel in Konya or similar
• 3 Nights at Dilek Kaya Hotel in Cappadocia or similar
• Daily breakfasts
• 6 Dinners at the hotels
• Entrance fees
• Whirling Dervish Show in Cappadocia
• Licensed tour guide (Sonat)
• Tips to hotel staff
• Service charges and local taxes
• TUTKU gifts

• Lunches and drinks
• Tips to tour guide and driver
• All flights
• All kind of insurance and all personal expenses