ISTANBUL AND EPHESUS EXTENSION

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 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 begin an extraordinary journey through the places where Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint John, and the first disciples of Christ preached.
• Rest of the day at leisure to rest and prepare for this unforgettable Biblical Route through Turkey.
• Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2 HISTORIC ISTANBUL, CRADLE OF BYZANTINE CHRISTIANITY Night: Istanbul +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• Breakfast at the hotel. We begin our visit to Istanbul, the ancient Constantinople, a city that for over a thousand years served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire and one of the main centers of Christianity in the world. Important ecumenical councils that shaped the history of the Church were held here, and the spiritual legacy of Eastern Christianity was consolidated.
• Our first stop is the historic Sultanahmet district, heart of ancient Constantinople. We visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. For nearly a millennium it was the largest cathedral in Christendom and remains one of the most iconic monuments of Byzantine architecture. Its impressive mosaics and extraordinary dome represent the splendor of the Byzantine Empire and the deep spiritual legacy of Eastern Christianity.
• We then visit the Blue Mosque, one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture and a symbol of Istanbul's historical and cultural continuity. Opposite stands the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the ancient political, social, and religious center of the Byzantine Empire, where famous chariot races were held and some of the most significant events in the city's history took place.
• We end the day with free time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, founded in the 15th century. Its alleyways and more than a thousand shops reflect Istanbul's role as a meeting point between East and West, where different cultures, religions, and traditions coexisted for centuries. After the visits, return to the hotel.
• Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3 BOSPHORUS CRUISE AND FLIGHT TO IZMIR (SMYRNA) Night: Izmir +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast, we enjoy an unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise, sailing between Europe and Asia as we admire imperial palaces, historic fortresses, ancient churches, and elegant mansions that reflect the splendor of Constantinople.
• We also visit the traditional Spice Bazaar, where products from the East have been traded for centuries.
• We then transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Izmir (İzmir), one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse mentioned by Saint John.
• Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

DAY 4 EPHESUS – HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY – BASILICA OF SAINT JOHN – RETURN TO ISTANBUL Night: Istanbul +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Dinner included at the hotel

• After breakfast, we head to Ephesus, one of the most important sites in all of Biblical Turkey and one of the principal cities of early Christianity. Saint Paul spent several years here proclaiming the Gospel and building one of the most influential Christian communities in the New Testament. He addressed one of his most profound letters to the Ephesians, calling them to live united in Christ.
• We explore the magnificent ruins of the ancient city, admiring the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater where Saint Paul preached, the Marble Street, the Agora, the Odeon, and numerous monuments reflecting the grandeur of the Roman era.
• Next we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important Marian shrines in the world. According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Saint John brought Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion of Jesus, where she spent her final years in prayer. Officially recognized by the Catholic Church and visited by Popes Paul VI, Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, this sanctuary offers an atmosphere of profound spirituality and recollection. We have time for personal prayer and to place our intentions in the traditional Wishing Wall.
• Our pilgrimage continues with a visit to the Basilica of Saint John, built over the tomb of the Apostle and Evangelist. From here we also contemplate the remains of the ancient Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• After the visits, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight back to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 5 DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL Night: End of services +

BREAKFAST Breakfast included at the hotel

LUNCH Not included

DINNER Not included

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight.
• This concludes an unforgettable Biblical Pilgrimage through Turkey, a journey that has allowed us to explore two of the most important settings of Christianity: Constantinople, the spiritual center of Eastern Christianity for over a millennium, and Ephesus, the city where Saint Paul and Saint John preached and where tradition places the final years of the Virgin Mary.
• More than a cultural tour, this experience represents a true encounter with the roots of Christian faith, allowing us to discover the spiritual, historical, and archaeological richness of Biblical Turkey.
• End of our services.