Journey to the Seven Churches Including the Footsteps of St. Paul Anatolia/Turkey

Itinerary

Day 01: 29th March 2027 (Monday) – Singapore >> Istanbul, Turkey

• Singapore Changi Airport – 19:30hrs Meet at Singapore Changi International Airport for final group briefing; 23:05hrs flight departure to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines (TK0055). Meals on board flight.

Day 02: 30th March 2027 (Tuesday) – Istanbul >> Gelibolu >> Canakkale (D)

• Istanbul Airport & Gelibolu – 05:15hrs arrival at Istanbul Airport; meet our guide and coach to Gelibolu (260 km).
• Chapel of War Memorial – Celebrate Holy Mass at the Chapel of War Memorial in Gelibolu; tour historic sites.
• Canakkale – Scenic ferry crossing across the Dardanelles connecting Europe and Asia; view the Trojan wooden horse on the seafront; check into Canakkale Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 03: 31st March 2027 (Wednesday) – Canakkale >> Pergamon >> Thyatira >> Izmir (B, L, D)

• Pergamon (Bergama) – Drive to Pergamon (182 km), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:12-17); visit the dramatic Acropolis, Zeus Altar site, and Temple of Dionysus.
• Thyatira (Akhisar) – Drive to Thyatira (83 km), the fourth of the Seven Churches (Rev 1:11, 2:18-29); visit ancient ruins.
• Izmir (Smyrna) – Drive to Izmir (104 km); celebrate Holy Mass at the Church in Izmir; check in for a 2-night stay with dinner and overnight.

Day 04: 1st April 2027 (Thursday) – Izmir >> Ephesus >> Izmir (B, L, D)

• House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) – Drive to Mt. Coressos; celebrate Holy Mass at the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, declared a sacred Catholic shrine by Pope John XXIII in 1961.
• Basilica of St. John the Evangelist – Visit the monumental Byzantine basilica built over the traditional burial site of the Beloved Apostle.
• Ancient City of Ephesus – Extensive guided tour of the archaeological marvels of Ephesus: Library of Celsus, Curetes Street, Great Theatre where the silversmiths protested St. Paul’s preaching (Acts 19), and Temple of Artemis.
• Turkish Delights & Spices – Experience local Turkish hospitality before returning to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

Day 05: 2nd April 2027 (Friday) – Izmir >> Sardis >> Philadelphia >> Pamukkale (B, L, D)

• Our Lady’s Church – Celebrate morning Mass at Our Lady’s Church in Izmir.
• Sardis – Visit the fifth of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:1-6); explore the ancient Synagogue, Gymnasium, and Byzantine Church.
• Philadelphia (Alaşehir) – Visit the sixth of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:7-13); see the standing pillars of the Byzantine Church of St. John the Theologian.
• Pamukkale – Drive through Denizli province to our hotel in Pamukkale; dinner and overnight.

Day 06: 3rd April 2027 (Saturday) – Pamukkale (Hierapolis) >> Laodicea (B, L, D)

• Hierapolis & Travertine Terraces – Celebrate Mass; visit UNESCO World Heritage white travertine mineral terraces and thermal pools; see the ancient Amphitheatre and the site where St. Philip the Apostle was martyred.
• Laodicea – Visit the final church of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:14-22; Col 4:16); explore the Theatre, Stadium, and ancient Water Tower.
• Thermal Relaxation – Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the healing thermal hotel pools; dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 07: 4th April 2027 (Sunday) – Pamukkale >> Pisidia Antioch >> Konya (Iconium) (B, L, D)

• Pisidia Antioch (Yalvaç) – Travel to the ancient city where St. Paul and St. Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel in the synagogue (Acts 13:14-52); visit the propylaia and Byzantine church ruins.
• Konya (Iconium) – Drive to Konya; visit and celebrate Holy Mass at the historic Catholic Church of St. Paul; dinner and overnight in Konya.

Day 08: 5th April 2027 (Monday) – Konya >> Cappadocia (B, L, D)

• Church of St. Paul – Morning Mass at St. Paul’s Church in Konya.
• Cappadocia – Scenic journey into the lunar landscape of Cappadocia.
• Çardak Underground City & Pigeon Valley – Explore the multi-level subterranean refuge carved by early Christians during Roman and Arab persecutions; visit traditional pottery production; dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 09: 6th April 2027 (Tuesday) – Cappadocia (B, L, D)

• Optional Sunrise Balloon Ride – Early morning hot-air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys (optional).
• Göreme Valley Open Air Museum – Discover rock-hewn monastic sanctuaries and vibrant Byzantine frescoes in the Apple Church and Church of Sandals.
• Uçhisar Castle & Pasabağ (Monks Valley) – Visit iconic conical rock formations, hermitage caves of St. Simeon, and carpet weaving centre; celebrate Mass; dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 10: 7th April 2027 (Wednesday) – Cappadocia >> Ankara >> Bolu (B, L, D)

• Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) & Ankara – Travel across Central Anatolia stopping at the great salt lake.
• St. Theresa’s Catholic Church – Celebrate Holy Mass at Virgin Mary or St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in the capital city of Ankara; visit the Atatürk Mausoleum.
• Bolu Mountain – Continue through the pine forests of Bolu; check in for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: 8th April 2027 (Thursday) – Bolu >> Istanbul (B, L, D)

• Scenic Drive to Istanbul – Cross into the historical crossroads of East and West.
• Esprit Catholic Cathedral – Celebrate Holy Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Saint-Esprit).
• Taksim Square & Istiklal Street – Afternoon walking orientation through Beyoğlu; dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12: 9th April 2027 (Friday) – Istanbul (B, L, D)

• Santa Maria Draperis – Celebrate morning Mass at the historic Franciscan Church of Santa Maria Draperis.
• Grand Historic Tour – Full day exploring Istanbul’s greatest treasures: the architectural wonder of Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia), Topkapi Palace, Theodosius Cistern, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and the vibrant Grand Bazaar.
• Dinner & Overnight – Evening fellowship dinner at local restaurant; overnight in Istanbul.

Day 13: 10th April 2027 (Saturday) – Istanbul >> Singapore (B)

• Bosphorus Cruise – Private morning boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia.
• St. Anthony of Padua Basilica – Celebrate Thanksgiving Mass at Istanbul's largest Catholic church, the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua; free time for personal prayer and shopping.
• Departure – Afternoon transfer to Istanbul Airport for return flight TK0208 to Singapore (17:00 departure).

Day 14: 11th April 2027 (Sunday) – Arrival in Singapore

• Homecoming – 08:45hrs arrival at Singapore Changi Airport with cherished memories, renewed faith, and blessings from the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.