BIBLICAL PILGRIMAGE THROUGH TURKEY: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ABRAHAM AND THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE APOCALYPSE

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL Night: Istanbul +

BREAKFAST Not included

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Not included

• Welcome to Turkey, a land where history, faith and culture have been intertwined for thousands of years.
• Upon your arrival at Istanbul International Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our Spanish-speaking representative will meet you with a personalized sign and accompany you on a private transfer to your hotel. Istanbul, the ancient Constantinople, is the gateway to one of the most fascinating biblical pilgrimages in the world. Although today it is a modern metropolis, for centuries it was the heart of Eastern Christianity and the seat of the Byzantine Empire.
• From here we will begin an extraordinary journey through the places where Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint John and the first disciples of Christ preached.
• The rest of the day is free to rest and prepare for this unforgettable Biblical Route through Turkey.
• Accommodation in Istanbul.

DAY 2 ISTANBUL / HISTORIC CENTER Night: Istanbul +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will begin the tour of Istanbul, the ancient Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than a thousand years and one of the main centers of world Christianity. From here a large part of the Eastern Christian world was governed and important ecumenical councils were held that defined Church doctrine.
• We will visit Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Justinian in the year 537. For almost a millennium it was the largest cathedral in Christendom and a symbol of the Orthodox Church. Inside we will reflect on the splendor of the Byzantine Empire and the role of Constantinople as a bridge between East and West.
• We will continue to the Blue Mosque and the Roman Hippodrome, where much of the political and religious life of the Byzantine Empire took place.
• We will finish the tour at the Grand Bazaar, recalling how Istanbul was for centuries an important meeting point between pilgrims, merchants and cultures from Europe, Asia and the Holy Land.

DAY 3 ISTANBUL – FLIGHT TO GAZIANTEP, GATEWAY TO MESOPOTAMIA Night: Gaziantep +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will head to the airport to take the flight to Gaziantep, the gateway to ancient Mesopotamia and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
• Upon arrival we will visit the extraordinary Zeugma Mosaic Museum, considered the most important Roman mosaic museum on the planet. Its magnificent works of art allow us to understand the cultural richness of the ancient cities located on the banks of the Euphrates River, a region deeply connected to biblical history.
• We will then tour the historic center of Gaziantep, admiring its medieval fortress, ancient bazaars and traditional stone streets that have preserved the atmosphere of the ancient commercial caravans that connected Anatolia with Mesopotamia. Gaziantep also serves as the transition point to the lands where the history of the patriarch Abraham began, preparing the pilgrim to enter some of the most important places in the Old Testament.
• Accommodation in Gaziantep.

DAY 4 HARRAN, THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY OF FAITH Night: Sanliurfa +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will depart for Göbeklitepe, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the history of humanity and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built approximately 12,000 years ago, long before Stonehenge or the Pyramids of Egypt, Göbeklitepe is considered the oldest known sanctuary in the world. Its enormous stone pillars decorated with animal reliefs have revolutionized knowledge about the origins of religion, demonstrating that the first temples appeared long before the birth of great civilizations. Although Göbeklitepe belongs to a period prior to the Bible, its visit allows us to understand the profound spiritual development of humanity in the lands of ancient Mesopotamia, the setting where centuries later the history of the patriarch Abraham would begin.
• We will continue our journey to Şanlıurfa, known in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition as the birthplace of the Patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim). According to an ancient tradition, this is where the man chosen by God to become the father of the three great monotheistic religions was born. Abraham occupies a central place in the Bible, being recognized as an example of absolute faith and obedience to God.
• We will visit the famous Balıklıgöl (Sacred Pool of Abraham). According to tradition, King Nimrod condemned Abraham to die in a huge bonfire for rejecting idolatry and proclaiming the existence of one God. At the moment of punishment, God performed a miracle: the flames were transformed into water and the burning logs into fish, giving rise to the sacred lake which today continues to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Turkey.
• Next we will visit the Cave of Abraham, traditionally considered the place where the patriarch was born. For centuries this sanctuary has received thousands of pilgrims from around the world who come to pray and remember the beginning of the history of biblical faith.
• We will also visit the Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, built next to the cave, as well as the ancient bazaar of Şanlıurfa, where the atmosphere of the ancient caravan cities of Mesopotamia is still preserved.
• The day will end with time for reflection on God's call to Abraham: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)
• Accommodation in Şanlıurfa.

DAY 5 HARRAN, THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY OF FAITH Night: Sanliurfa +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will head to Harran, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the most important places in the Old Testament.
• Mentioned repeatedly in the book of Genesis, Harran was the place where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldees. Here they remained for several years until God called him to begin the journey to the Promised Land.
• The Bible tells us: "Abram departed as the Lord had directed him." (Genesis 12:4)
• It was precisely from Harran that the extraordinary history of the people of Israel began.
• During our visit we will see the ruins of the ancient city, the historic walls, the Grand Mosque, considered one of the first built in Anatolia, and the remains of the ancient University of Harran, one of the most important scientific centers of the medieval Islamic world.
• We will also admire the famous beehive houses, built with mud bricks following an architectural technique used for thousands of years and perfectly adapted to the Mesopotamian climate.
• As we tour Harran we will reflect on the figure of Abraham as a universal model of faith, obedience and absolute trust in God. Jews, Christians and Muslims recognize in him the great patriarch who initiated the history of salvation.
• Return to Şanlıurfa.
• Accommodation in Şanlıurfa.

DAY 6 MOUNT NEMRUT, THE KINGDOM OF COMMAGENE AND THE MEETING BETWEEN EAST AND WEST Night: Mardin +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will begin one of the most spectacular stages of our biblical pilgrimage.
• We will head to the majestic Mount Nemrut, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
• Situated at more than 2,100 meters above sea level, this monumental sanctuary was built in the 1st century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene, who wanted to create a place where the religious and cultural traditions of Persia, Greece and Anatolia could coexist.
• We will ascend to the summit to contemplate the gigantic sculptures of gods, eagles and lions that have been watching over these mountains for more than two thousand years. From this privileged vantage point we will enjoy extraordinary views over the mountains of southeastern Turkey, the setting of numerous civilizations mentioned in the Bible.
• During the visit we will learn about the ancient Kingdom of Commagene, a region that served as a bridge between East and West and played a fundamental role in the historical routes connecting Mesopotamia with Anatolia.
• Mount Nemrut symbolizes the meeting between different peoples, cultures and beliefs, making it one of the most fascinating places of the journey through Biblical Turkey.
• At the end of the visit we will continue our tour to the historic city of Mardin.
• Dinner and accommodation in Mardin.

DAY 7 MARDIN, CRADLE OF SYRIAC CHRISTIANITY – FLIGHT TO IZMIR, START OF THE ROUTE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE APOCALYPSE Night: Izmir +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will discover Mardin, considered one of the most beautiful and spiritual cities in Turkey.
• Built on a hill overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plain, Mardin has been for centuries an important center of Syriac Christianity, where different Christian communities have kept their liturgical traditions alive since the early centuries of our era.
• We will stroll through its historic center, formed by narrow limestone streets, ancient manor houses and religious buildings that reflect the coexistence of diverse cultures and confessions.
• We will visit the historic Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world and the former seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate for several centuries. This place continues to be today one of the main spiritual centers of Eastern Christianity.
• During the visit we will learn about the rich Syriac liturgical tradition, one of the oldest in the Church, and understand the importance this region had for the expansion of Christianity in the East.
• After lunch we will transfer to the airport to take the flight to Izmir (İzmir).
• With this stage we will begin one of the most anticipated parts of our pilgrimage: the Route of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, the Christian communities mentioned by Saint John in the last book of the New Testament.
• Arrival in Izmir and transfer to the hotel.
• Dinner and accommodation in Izmir.

DAY 8 IZMIR, PERGAMON AND THYATIRA – THREE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE APOCALYPSE Night: Izmir +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will begin the visit to Izmir, one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
• Ancient Smyrna was one of the most faithful Christian communities during the persecutions of the Roman Empire. In the Apocalypse, Christ directs to this church a message of hope and strength, encouraging its faithful to remain steadfast even in the midst of suffering.
• After a panoramic tour of the city we will continue to Pergamon, one of the most important cities of Asia Minor during the Roman period.
• We will visit its impressive Acropolis, situated on a hill dominating the entire valley. We will admire the famous Hellenistic Theater, the Temple of Trajan and learn about the religious and political importance that Pergamon had in Antiquity.
• According to the Book of Revelation, Pergamon was the place "where Satan's throne is", an expression referring to the strong presence of the Roman imperial cult and the difficulties faced by the first Christians in maintaining their faith.
• We will also visit the Red Basilica, one of the first Christian churches built in Anatolia and one of the most important symbols of early Christianity.
• Our next stop will be Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.
• This city is also known as the place of origin of Lydia, a seller of purple cloth and the first person converted to Christianity in Europe through the preaching of Saint Paul (Acts of the Apostles 16).
• Although few archaeological remains survive today, Thyatira retains an enormous spiritual value for all pilgrims who wish to walk in the footsteps of Saint Paul and learn about the development of the early Christian communities.
• At the end of the visits we will return to Izmir, where we can enjoy the atmosphere of the seafront promenade before dinner.
• Dinner and accommodation in Izmir.

DAY 9 SARDIS – PHILADELPHIA – LAODICEA – HIERAPOLIS – PAMUKKALE Night: Pamukkale +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will continue our pilgrimage following the Route of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, one of the most important Christian itineraries in the world.
• Our first stop will be Sardis, the ancient capital of the powerful Kingdom of Lydia and one of the richest cities of Antiquity. Here was located one of the seven Christian communities to which Saint John addressed his message in the Book of Revelation.
• We will visit the impressive ruins of the ancient city, where the majestic Roman gymnasium, the largest synagogue discovered in Asia Minor and the remains of the Byzantine church stand out. During the visit we will recall the words directed by Christ to the Church of Sardis:
• "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die..." (Revelation 3:1-2).
• We will continue to Philadelphia, known as the "Faithful Church". Among all the communities of the Apocalypse, Philadelphia received one of the most hopeful messages from Christ, becoming a symbol of perseverance, faithfulness and evangelization.
• Although few archaeological remains survive today, this place continues to be deeply meaningful for Christian pilgrims. We will have time for prayer and reflection, recalling the promise of Christ:
• "I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut..." (Revelation 3:8).
• Our next visit will be Laodicea, one of the most important cities of early Christianity.
• Saint Paul mentions this community in his Letter to the Colossians, while the Apocalypse contains one of the best-known messages of the New Testament:
• "Because you are neither cold nor hot... I wish you were one or the other." (Revelation 3:15).
• We will tour the magnificent archaeological excavations where early Christian churches, the theater, the colonnaded streets and the remains of one of the most prosperous cities of Roman Asia can still be seen.
• We will then arrive at Hierapolis, a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Pamukkale.
• Hierapolis holds a very special place in the history of Christianity because, according to tradition, Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, was martyred here.
• We will visit the impressive Roman theater, the ancient necropolis, the monumental streets and the Martyrium of Saint Philip, an important pilgrimage site for Christians from around the world.
• We will finish the day contemplating the famous white terraces of Pamukkale, a natural wonder formed by mineral-rich thermal waters that over thousands of years have created a unique landscape.
• Arrival at the hotel.
• Dinner and accommodation in Pamukkale.

DAY 10 EPHESUS – HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY – BASILICA OF SAINT JOHN Night: Izmir +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will depart for Ephesus, considered one of the most important cities of early Christianity and one of the essential places of any biblical pilgrimage through Turkey.
• During the 1st century, Saint Paul spent nearly three years here preaching the Gospel and establishing one of the most influential Christian communities in the ancient world. It was also the recipient of the Letter to the Ephesians and one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.
• We will tour the spectacular Greco-Roman city admiring the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater with capacity for more than 25,000 spectators, the Marble Street, the Agora, the temples and the ancient dwellings that made Ephesus one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire.
• Our guide will explain the events narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, when Saint Paul preached here confronting the cult of the goddess Artemis and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
• We will then ascend Mount Koressos to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, one of the main Marian shrines in the world.
• According to Christian tradition, after the crucifixion of Jesus, the apostle Saint John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, where she spent her last years.
• Officially recognized as a pilgrimage site by the Catholic Church and visited by Popes Paul VI, Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, this sanctuary offers an atmosphere of deep spirituality.
• You will have time to celebrate a moment of prayer, light a candle and deposit your personal intentions on the famous Wishing Wall.
• We will finish the day visiting the Basilica of Saint John, built by Emperor Justinian over the place where, according to Christian tradition, the Apostle and Evangelist Saint John was buried.
• From the hill we will be able to contemplate the remains of the ancient Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Return to the hotel in Izmir.
• Dinner and accommodation in Izmir.

DAY 11 IZMIR – BURSA – ISTANBUL Night: Istanbul +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast we will begin our return journey to Istanbul.
• Along the way we will make a stop in Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the most important historic cities in Turkey, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• We will visit the magnificent Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), considered one of the masterpieces of Ottoman Islamic architecture.
• We will continue to the historic Koza Han, the ancient center of silk trade on the legendary Silk Road, where for centuries merchants from Europe and Asia exchanged goods and cultures.
• Free time to stroll through the historic center before continuing to Istanbul by crossing the Sea of Marmara.
• Arrival in Istanbul and accommodation.
• During the last night of this pilgrimage we will be able to recall all the places visited: the land of Abraham, ancient Mesopotamia, Göbeklitepe, Harran, Mardin, the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the settings where Christianity was born and strengthened.
• Dinner and accommodation in Istanbul.

DAY 12 DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL Night: End of services +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Not included

• After breakfast, and at the scheduled time, transfer to Istanbul International Airport to take the return flight.
• This brings to an end an extraordinary Biblical Pilgrimage through Turkey, a journey that has allowed us to travel through some of the most important places of the Old and New Testament, walk in the footsteps of the Patriarch Abraham, discover the settings where Saint Paul preached, visit the tomb of Saint John the Evangelist, pray at the House of the Virgin Mary and get to know the historic Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.
• More than a trip, this experience represents a true encounter with the roots of Christianity, where faith, history, archaeology and spirituality come together to offer a unique and unforgettable pilgrimage through Biblical Anatolia.
• We hope this experience strengthens your faith and leaves an indelible memory in your heart.
• End of our services.