Pictures from Turkey

In the Footsteps of Paul

A Pilgrimage to Turkey

Led by:

The Rev. Steve Wilson

Grace Episcopal Church
Carthage, MO

May 25 – June 2, 2013

Trip map

DAY 1: Saturday, May 25, 2013 - Depart from Kansas City Airport for Chicago’s O’Hare Airport where you will connect to your overnight flight to Istanbul, Turkey. M

DAY 2: Sunday, May 26, 2013 - Arrive Istanbul, Turkey where we will be met by our driver and guide and transfer to our centrally located Istanbul hotel for an early dinner and overnight. MD

DAY 3: Monday, May 27, 2013 - After breakfast, we visit a number of monuments of the Byzantine Empire (the medieval, Greek-speaking, Christian half of the Roman Empire).  The Hippodrome, once a Roman stadium and the Yerebetan Saray (Sunken Palace), part of an underground network of waterways.  We explore the great Blue Mosque, a grand monument to Islam built on the site of the emperors’ box at the hippodrome.  We will visit SS Sergius and Bacchus Church which is dedicated to two Roman soldiers who were flogged to death in 303.  We visit the Kariye Museum, which occupies what was once the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora.  The 14th century mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical scenes are considered to be among the finest Byzantine works in the world.  We will have dinner in the Kumkapi area of Istanbul in one of the many seafood restaurants for which the area is famous. BD

DAY 4: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - We visit the famous Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom), Christendom’s most important church for 900 years before it was turned into a mosque in 1453.  The mosaics were once covered with plaster and have since been uncovered.  The dome is still the largest ever constructed without modern building materials and techniques.  We will visit the archaeological museum with its remnants of ancient Rome and the Middle East, and the famous spice market (be sure to pick up some nuts or saffron to take home!) and then board our waiting boat for a cruise on the Bosporus to the Black Sea.  We will visit the Selimiye barracks on the Asian side of Istanbul which are famous for being the hospital of Florence Nightingale before returning to Europe for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 5: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - A whole morning at the great Grand Bazaar, the ancient covered shopping center famous for its thousands of exotic vendors and many streets.  We will board our afternoon flight to Izmir and then travel to Bergama, (ancient Pergamum) where we will have dinner and overnight.  This starts our “Revelation” tour, which will include visits to six of the seven towns mentioned in that book. BD

DAY 6: Thursday, May 30, 2013 - We will explore the magnificent ruins of Pergamum including the famous library and theater as well as the ancient Asklepion, a hospital complex.  Then we drive to Sardis where we will see the enormous synagogue complex, and briefly visit Philadelphia.  We will continue to Pamukkale where we have the possibility of a relaxing soak in the mineral-rich volcanic spring water.  Dinner and overnight Pamukkale. BD

DAY 7: Friday, May 31, 2013 - We explore the ruins of Hierapolis early this morning including the necropolis, the Plutonium (an ancient “gate of hell”) and the huge tomb of the Apostle Philip.  Driving through the Meander Valley, we make a brief stop at Laodicea, and continue to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in the world.  Once on the sea, Ephesus is now 3 miles inland.  Paul preached at the theater (Acts 19) and wrote some of his Epistles here.  We will tour the cliff houses of the wealthy and then travel to Mary’s House, believed by many to be the last home of the Virgin Mary.  Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. BD

DAY 8: Saturday, June 1, 2013 - We visit the Ephesus Museum and then travel to Selcuk where we see the ruins of the Basilica of St. John which ranked with Hagia Sophia as one of the largest Byzantine churches.  The grave of St. John the Divine is located here.  In the afternoon we will have some free time at the beach to relax and enjoy the beautiful sea.  Dinner and overnight Kusadasi. BD

DAY 9: Sunday, June 2, 2013 - We travel to Izmir and board our flight to Istanbul where we will change planes and return to Chicago and then to Kansas City arriving this evening. BM

Price: $3,249.00 per person.  Air from Kansas City, MO

Price is based on double occupancy and includes airline taxes and fuel surcharges which are currently $444 per person and may change.  Pricing is based on exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.28 Euro.  If exchange rate changes, price may change.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement:  $399.00

Tips for the driver and guide are NOT included.

Deposit of $200.00 per person due with application.

Final payment due February 15, 2013

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until February 14, 2013: $100.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ After February 15, 2013: NO REFUND

An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.