Footsteps of St. Paul

Duration:

12 Days 11 Nights

Airline:

Avg. Hotel Star Rating:

Selling Price (per person):

For a larger view, please click the image above

Accommodation:

ANEMON HOTEL ANTAKYA / HATAY (5*) OR SIMILAR
MONARK HOTEL / CAPPADOCIA (4*) OR SIMILAR
BAYIR DIAMOND HOTEL / KONYA (5*) OR SIMILAR
TRIPOLIS HOTEL / PAMUKKALE (4*) OR SIMILAR
BLANCA HOTEL / IZMIR (4*) OR SIMILAR
IRIS HOTEL / CANAKKALE (4*) OR SIMILAR
VIALAND PALACE HOTEL / ISTANBUL (4*) OR SIMILAR

Terms & Conditions:

Advanced booking requirements are a minimum of 21 working days before the date of departure.
Full payment is required once the booking is confirmed.
Passport Validity: Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of return.
Booking cancelled within 10 days before the departure date is non-refundable.
Mayflower reserves the right to change or cancel any part of the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances beyond its control without prior notice.
Mayflower does not accept responsibility for losses or expenses incurred due to delays by bad weather and other unforeseen incidents.
Rates are subject to change without prior notice and are subject to currency fluctuation.
Mayflower Holidays Sdn. Bhd. reserves the absolute right to charge you an administration fee of not more than RM100 per person to cover the administration costs incurred by Mayflower Holidays Sdn Bhd for all amendments or cancellations.
In the event of cancellation, the refund amount will be in the form of a "Travel Wallet". Any handling fees incurred are non-refundable. Mayflower Holidays Sdn. Bhd. will evaluate the specific case and has the absolute right to decide whether it should be refunded.
Travel period: Immediate until 31 Mar 2024.

MYR 4,340

per person

Reserve Now

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Day 1

ISTANBUL - ADANA - ANTIOCH

ANEMON HOTEL ANTAKYA / HATAY (5*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Tarsus | Well of Saint Paul | Cleopatra Gate

Activity

Arrive at Istanbul Airport, fly to Adana on a domestic flight, and then drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of Saint Paul. In the pre-Christianity period, Tarsus was known as the place where Cleopatra tempted Marc Antonius after his victory at Philip's. Visit the Well of Saint Paul and the Cleopatra Gate. Lunch in Tarsus and a drive to Antakya ( Antioch) for overnight.

Day 2

ANTIOCH

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ANEMON HOTEL ANTAKYA / HATAY (5*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Antakya | Samandagi

Activity

Breakfast and departure for Antakya, the biblical city called Antioch, situated next to the Asi (Orantes) River in the fertile plains surrounded by the high mountains. This is the city where the word "Christian" was used for the first time. Its museums have one of the richest Roman mosaic collections in the world. The majority of the fantastic stone paintings were found during the excavations in Antakya and around Daphne. Outside the city, there is the Cave of Saint Peter, which was a church constructed in a cave. We will have lunch during visits. Then, in the afternoon, we drive to Samandagi. Samandagi is 25 km from Antakya, a town with a pristine beach. Then transfer to the hotel.

Day 3

ANTIOCH - CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

MONARK HOTEL / CAPPADOCIA (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

The Underground City of Kaymakli | The Valley of the Birds | The Uchisar Castle

Activity

After breakfast, drive to Cappadocia. Today we will visit the incredible Underground City of Kaymakli, where early Christians lived secretly in order to survive and keep their faith. Photostops will be given at the Valley of the Birds and at the foot of Uchisar Castle. Then, proceed to the rock-carved churches hollowed out of volcanic ash.

Day 4

CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

MONARK HOTEL / CAPPADOCIA (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Goreme Open Air Museum | Avanos | The Ihlara Valley | The Melendiz River | The Carpet Weaving Center

Activity

A full day exploring Cappadocia Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, the pottery making town, and the natural citadel of Uchisar. Then visit the Ihlara Valley, which was formed by a volcanic eruption where the Melendiz River flows to create this impressive canyon. Then stop at the Carpet Weaving Center to view hand-made Turkish carpets.

Day 5

CAPPADOCIA - KONYA

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

BAYIR DIAMOND HOTEL / KONYA (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Psidian Antioch (Yalvac) | Konya

Activity

Early in the morning, we will drive to Psidian Antioch (Yalvac), where St. Paul opened Christianity to the world. Yalvac's history goes back to 280 B.C. During St. Paul's time, the population was a mixture of Jews, Romans, and Greeks. Then we drive to Konya. Then have dinner and sleep at the hotel.

Day 6

KONYA - PAMUKKALE

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

TRIPOLIS HOTEL / PAMUKKALE (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Hierapolis | Laodecia

Activity

After breakfast, drive to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis, which was founded by Pergamon king Telephos and named after his wife Hiera. Most likely, the very large Jewish element in this city was an important factor in the rapid expansion of Christianity. During the Byzantine period, the city became the seat of a diocese with a large Christian church. Then visit Laodecia. We find here two theaters, a large stadium, a water tower and an Odeon. Then proceed to the hotel.

Day 7

PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI - EPHESUS

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

BLANCA HOTEL / IZMIR (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Kusadasi | Ephesus | House of Virgin Mary | Izmir

Activity

After breakfast, drive to Kusadasi. We go to Ephesus, the best preserved and most visited city of all ages. The city was dedicated to the Goddess Artemis, whose temple is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Next, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, declared holy by the Vatican and St. John's Basilica. After lunch, drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 8

IZMIR - SMYRNA - SARDIS - PHILADELPHIA - IZMIR

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

BLANCA HOTEL / IZMIR (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Smyrna | Sardis | Temple of Artemis and the earliest synagogue built in Asia Minor | Philadelphia

Activity

Following breakfast, we will visit Smyrna, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Drive to Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Then we will visit the remains of the church which was built on the Temple of Artemis and the earliest synagogue built in Asia Minor. After lunch, visit Philadelphia, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9

IZMIR - PERGAMUM - CANAKKALE

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

IRIS HOTEL / CANAKKALE (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Activity

After breakfast, we will visit the ancient Agora of Smyrna (Izmir). Then drive to the ancient site of Sardes with its temple of Artemis and ancient synagogue. Then we go to Pergamon, addressed by Saint John. We tour the remnants of the Acropolis, its famous library, theater, Athena, Dionysos, and Trajan Temples. Drive to Canakkale. Check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

VIALAND PALACE HOTEL / ISTANBUL (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

Troy | Gallipol | The second strategic waterway | The Dardanelles | land in Asia

Activity

After breakfast at the hotel, we proceed to Troy. Then, we will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. Then we will cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles, and land in Asia. Transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 11

ISTANBUL

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

VIALAND PALACE HOTEL / ISTANBUL (4*) OR SIMILAR

Highlight

St Sophia Museum | The Underground Cistern | The Chora Church | Edirnekapı | The Saint Antoine Church

Activity

After breakfast, we visit the St Sophia Museum, which was the former Roman Imperial Church. Then visit the Hippodrome. Visit the Underground Cistern. This cistern is thought to have been built after the Nika revolt in 532 AD. It was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be at the local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Chora Church, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church. The church is situated in the western Edirnekap district of Istanbul. In the 16th century, the church was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman rulers, and it became a secularised museum in 1948. Then visit Saint Antoine Church. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12

ISTANBUL TRANSFER TO AIRPORT

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Highlight

Hagia Sophia | Bosphorus Cruise | Sariyer | Spice Market

Activity

After breakfast, we visit Hagia Sophia, which is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. This Byzantine building with a central dome plan was erected in the 6th century and was a model for the Hagia Sophia, the main church of the Byzantine Empire. It is one of the most important early Byzantine buildings in Istanbul. For our Bosphorus Cruise, we board our private boat. We disembark at Sariyer and have lunch at a local fish restaurant. After lunch, we visit the Spice Market, which is also called the Egyptian Bazaar. Free time for shopping. We will have dinner at a local restaurant just before we transfer to the airport.

Start from

MYR 4,340

per person

Reserve Now

includes

Air Conditioned Transport For Sightseeing & Transfers
Licensed English Speaking Guide
Entrance Fees
Porterage At Hotels
11 Breakfasts (Hotel) , 11 Lunches (Local Meal) & 11 Dinners (Hotel)
Water During Lunches & Dinners
Daily 2 Small Bottles Of Water On The Coach

excludes

Airfare and airport taxes
Incidental bill and other personal expenses
Compulsory tipping For Guide & Driver: Minimum Per Person Per Day 5 USD & 3 USD respectively
Items not specially mentioned above and/or in the itinerary