Join us for a 12 Day Biblical Turkey Tour

 

June 8-19, 2026    

All Inclusive Price: $6,077 from JFK, NY.  $5,532 for “land only” travelers.

 

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Registration Details for this Turkey Tour

On-Line Registration Form

(This link will take you directly to the web site of our Israel travel agent, imagine Tours & Travel.  This is a safe & secure way to place your $500 deposit instantly with your credit card and reserve your spot on this tour.  Please enter the tour code – DeLancey626 – to register for this trip). Registration is open through March 8, 2026.

 

The price of this 12 Day Biblical Turkey Tour is $6,077 from JFK, NY (additional departure cities are available upon request. This price includes: Airfare & US & Int’l Departure-fuel taxes ($682), gratuities ($200), hotels, 2 meals daily, and all entry fees. The land only price of $5,532 includes all the above except the airfare. Sign-up deadline: March 8, 2026.

 

Early Bird Discounts:  With your deposit of $500 to reserve your spot on this Israel tour, you will earn the following discounts off the overall price: $150 before 3/8/25, #100 before 6/8/25, $75 before 8/8/25, and $50 before 10/8/25.

 

This very unique biblical-oriented trip features many sites not visited by the average “tourist group.” We begin with a full day in Istanbul. We then fly to the area of Cappadocia. We then bus all the way to the area of Paul’s First Mission Journey (Acts 13-14). We visit sites like Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derby, and Paul’s home town of Tarsus. Other sites include Perga, Antioch Pisidia, Antalya. Also included are all the 7 Churches of Revelation as we make our way west. We will also visit Heiropolos and Colossae. Finally, Miletus will be our last site before flying home. We will see much of the width of Turkey on this trip!

 

This is a very extensive Turkey trip that includes almost all of the sites in Turkey today mentioned in Acts and visited by Paul! The whole trip will connect you with the world of the New Testament and the journeys of Paul in many life-changing ways!

 

The Biblical Turkey Tour Itinerary:

 

 

Day 1 – Monday, June 8: Departure from US, Istanbul

Today we embark on our journey to Turkey, the land of ancient treasures and Christian history. We take a night flight into Istanbul.

 

Day 2 – Tuesday, June 9: Arrival Istanbul

We arrive at the world-class Istanbul Airport. Here, we meet our guide and driver and transfer to our hotel.

 

Day 3 – Wednesday, June 10: Istanbul: St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Archaeological Museum, Grand Bazaar

The tour today will be an unusual combination of Greek Orthodox, Roman, Ottoman and modern day Islam including entrance into the famed Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Church. Next, we visit the fascinating Topkapi Palace housing the many priceless treasures and colorful stories of Ottoman Sultans. In the afternoon we walk through the wonderful exhibits at the Archaeological Museum. Highlight artifacts include the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, The Gezer Calendar, Siloam Inscription, Jerusalem Temple Warning Inscription, mosaic remnants depicting the times of Nebuchadnezzar, tablets of the Treaty of Kadesh known to be between Ramses II and the Hittites during the 13th century BC, and many other wonderful items. We end the day with peak in the Grand Bazaar. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 4 – Thursday, June 11: Flight to Kayseri, Cappadocia

We take a morning flight to Kayseri. Upon landing, we load our coach and spend the rest of the day exploring the history and scenery of Cappadocia. We’ll visit the gently folding volcanic rock formations and “fairy chimneys” of Goreme Open Air Museum. These rock formations are not only beautiful, but functional as well. Many early Christian communities lived and worshipped deep in the rocks and crags, leaving their frescoes and paintings to be marveled at centuries later. Other communities lived underground, and we’ll visit these dwellings too. To protect themselves from Roman persecution and marauding bandits, local people began to live in underground caves forming “cities” that reach a depth of up to 7 stories below the surface. red clay pottery. We will also visit an authentic Ozkonak underground city, and see traditional pottery in Avanos. We enjoy dinner at our hotel and an evening of rest in Cappadocia.

 

Day 5 – Friday, June 12: Cappadocia, Tarsus, Adana

We will start with a visit to the Gumuşler Monastery and Underground City, a beautifully preserved Byzantine site. The monastery is carved out of a large rock and is one of the best preserved and largest of its kind in the Cappadocia region. There are quite a few monasteries hewn out of the rock in Cappadocia and some scholars split these into two types: those with dining halls and those with open courtyards. The Gümüşler Monastery is part of the second group. Then, we will enjoy a longer drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul (Acts 9:11, 9:30, 11:25, 21:39, 22:3). Here we will explore the Well of St. Paul and Cleopatra’s Gate. More importantly, we’ll walk on the Tarsus Roman Road. The road was discovered by accident in 1993, during construction works. Construction work was stopped immediately and the site was fully excavated. Scientists believe that the road was built in the 1st century CE. It was 6.5 meters wide and made of basalt. There were sewage pipes under the road. We will end our day in Adana, enjoying a local dinner and overnight stay. This will be the first of two nights here.

 

Day 6 – Saturday, June 13: Adana, St. Pierre, Antioch, Seleucia Pieria, Titus Tunnel, Adana

After breakfast, you drive south to the eastern Tarsus mountains and through the Cilician Gates, a pass through the mountains. The Battle of the Cilician Gates (in 39 BC) took place here and served as a decisive victory for the Roman general Publius Ventidius over the Parthian Army. South of the Gates is Antioch (Antakya, also known as Antiochad Orontes in Roman times). This is where Paul (and Barnabas) started his first missionary journey. We will visit some of the caves used as meeting area in the time of Paul and beyond. At one time, this Hellenistic city was one of the largest in the Roman world. During the time of the New Testament, Antioch was a center of commerce and an important political power in the Roman Empire. Along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea is Selucia, a port/harbor founded by one of the generals of Alexander the Great in 301 BCE. It was the seaport through which Paul and Barnabas left with John and Mark for their first missionary journey in 43 AD. The Roman emperor Vespasian (reigned 69–79 AD) a water tunnel was built to divert the floodwaters running down the mountain and threatening the harbor. It was built by digging the rocks using manpower only. The construction began under Vespasian and continued under his son Titus (79–81 AD) and his successors. The inscription reads: “Divine Vespasian and Divine Titus made it.” We then drive back north back through the “Gates” back to Adana. We enjoy dinner and overnight here.

 

Day 7 – Sunday, June 14: Adana, Derbe, Lystra, Konya

This new day begins by traveling westward and visiting sites associated with the Apostle Paul. We drive to see the “triplet” of cites visited by Paul on his 1st Journey: Derbe (Acts 14:6; 14:20; 16:1; 20:4), Lystra (Acts 14:6-23; 16:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:11), and Iconium (Acts 13:51-14:6; 16:2; 2 Timothy 3:11). The archaeology at these sites is not overly impressive as other sites, but we will appreciate how Paul was willing to suffer trials and persecution for the purpose of making disciples of the new converts here in this region. Paul would re-visit these cities on his 2nd Journey. Our day ends in Konya where we will enjoy dinner and overnight here.

 

Day 8 – Monday, June 15: Konya, Antioch Pisidia, Perge, Antalya

Today we visit Antioch Pisidia (Acts 13:14-51; Acts 14:19; Acts 14:21-23; 2 Timothy 3:11), one of important stops on Paul’s missionary journeys. Although only 10% of Pisidian Antioch has been excavated, the ruins from the Roman period are noteworthy. We’ll see Septimus Severus’ triumphal gate, Augustus’ Temple, the Roman baths, a theater, the marble and a church dedicated to Paul. Next, we will explore the extensive ruins of Perga (Acts 13:13-14; 14:25). Let us remember that Paul came from Pisidian Antioch to Perga and then to Attalia (Acts 14:25-26), where they catch a ship to sail back to where their missionary journey started (Acts 14:21-26). Prominent features of the site of Perga include a remarkably well-preserved theater, the best-preserved Roman Stadium in Western Turkey, exquisite Roman Baths, towering Hellenistic Defenses, and long rows of beautiful colonnaded streets. Finally, we drive to Antalya for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 9 – Tuesday, June 16: Antalya, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Pamukkale

Following breakfast, we drive to the region of Pamukkale. Once we arrive, we will visit two archaeological sites. The first site will be Hierapolis known for the white travertine falls and hot springs. We’ll be able to stick our feet in the warm water here. Among the ruins here we will see the vast, ancient necropolis (burial grounds) large amphitheater, St. Philip’s Church,
and famed Roman baths. King Eumenes of Pergamum (197-159 BC) is said to be the founder of Hierapolis. In the afternoon, we will continue traveling to one of the nearby 7 Churches of Revelation, Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22), a city known for its riches, development of medicines and where the church was known for being “lukewarm in belief.” Among the ruins here we will see two theaters, colonnaded streets, and a good example of the piping used to bring both hot and cold water into the city. If time permits, we will visit Colossae nearby. Paul wrote a letter to this church (Colossians). According to Xenophon, a Greek historian from the 4th century BC, Colossae was one of the six big cities of Phrygia. The city lived its heyday during the Persian rule in Asia Minor between 6th and 4th centuries BC, but lost its importance after the foundations of Hierapolis and Laodicea around 2nd century BC. To date, the site has not been extensively excavated. We drive back to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 10 – Wednesday, June 17: Pamukkale, Philadelphia, Sardis, Thyatira, Pergamum – Acropolis, Izmir

Today we’ll see four more of the seven Church of Revelation. After breakfast and checkout, we’ll once again be on the road, driving first for a quick stop to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).  Other than a few Late Roman arches can be seen here. Next is Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6). Here we’ll see the amazing ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the picturesque gymnasium, and the synagogue with intact mosaic tile artwork. Sardis was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, and the first city to use coins of gold and silver. We continue to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29). Only a few pillars and Late Roman ruins still stand today. Our last site of the day is Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17). For centuries, Pergamum (Bergama) served as the ruling center of of the Roman Empire. We will cable-car to the top and see the Acropolis with its pagan temples, Alter of Zeus (some call the throne on the site) and the Temple of Trajan. The highlight is the theater, the steepest one in the region built on the hillside. Nearby is the Asklepion, an ancient healing center. A well-preserved theater can be seen here as well. At the end of the day we drive to Izmir for a later dinner and overnight.

 

Day 11 – Thursday, June 18: Izmir, Agora, Ephesus, Miletus, Kusadasi

Following breakfast, we will visit ancient Smyrna right here in Izmir (Revelation 2:8-11) We will drive up to Mt. Pagus (now called Kadifekale or “Velvet Castle”) which is the acropolis of the ancient city. From there we have a great view of the modern city of Izmir and its harbor. Here we think about John’s word of commendation for the Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in the faith despite persecution. We will also see the Agora and its important collection of Greek graffiti, the largest from the ancient Greek East. 

Next, we drive south to Miletus. It lies near the mouth of the Büyükmenderes (Menderes) River. Miletus is located about 36 miles south of Ephesus. In the 5th century BC it was the greatest Greek city in the east, and a very important trading port. Miletus was also an important center of education and philosophy. The city was also mentioned in the Bible (Acts 20:17-38). Paul shares an emotional goodbye with his companions from Ephesus. Acts does not inform us about the duration of the Paul’s stay in Miletus. Among the ruins at Miletus, we will see a well-preserved theater.

Lastly, we drive back north to the most impressive archaeological site of all, Ephesus! The site is not only famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana, but also because of Paul’s ministry here during his 2nd Journey (Acts 19:1-41) Also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ephesus later became the home of the Apostle John. We will see the monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, and the Library of Celsus (dating to after Paul, in 106 AD). We will also visit the magnificent open-air theater, built in the Greek era, and reconstructed in the Roman period, which seated 24,000 people. Next, we exit the site along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.

To end the day, drive to Kusadasi, the modern port of Ephesus today. We will enjoy dinner and overnight here. 

 

Day 12 – Friday, June 19 – Departure for Izmir Airport

After breakfast, we will drive to Izmir Airport for our flight home. We will reflect on Paul’s journey through Turkey and the unforgettable memories we’ve made. We pray for safe travels as we head home with renewed faith and insights!

*While we do our very best at making sure all items listed in your itinerary are included, there are times when conditions beyond our control affect your program/itinerary, including but not limited to air carrier changes, delays, weather, political climate, time constraints, or changes by your tour leader and tour guide.

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The Stadium at Laodicea

There are ancient stadiums still to be seen around the Roman world. A “stadia” was about 625 Roman feet (185 metres or 606.9 feet), or 125 paces, and was equal to about one-eighth of a mile. Additionally, a Roman mile was 4,855 feet or 1480 meters, or 8 Roman stadia, or 1000 Roman paces, or 2000 Roman steps.

Paul references “running the race” a few times in the NT. One of those passages is 1 Corinthians 9:24-25:  “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

This un-excavated  stadium at Laodicea gives us a sense of how many spectators could watch the “Games.”  Imagine sitting on these benches and watching a running race here in the days of Paul!

 

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