Steps of St. Paul 12 Days

Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours until your welcome dinner in the evening.

*Please advise your flight arrival details, including the airport, at least 14 days prior to your departure.

Overnight: Istanbul

Included Meals: Welcome dinner

Morning transfer to Istanbul airport.

Istanbul- Hatay flight (appx. 1.5 hours’ flight)

Arrival to Hatay. The beginning of the tour.

Explore the St. Pierre Church in Hatay, a remarkable symbol of both historical and religious significance. Admire its architectural beauty and immerse yourself in its deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Continue to Samandağ to discover the awe-inspiring Ruins of St. Simeon Monastery, renowned for its historical importance and fascinating architectural remains.

Drive onward to the Armenian village of Vakıflı, a living testament to the region’s cultural diversity. Stroll through its charming streets, meet the locals, and experience the village’s unique heritage.

Conclude your day with a visit to the Roman Tunnel of Titus, an impressive feat of ancient engineering that offers insight into the ingenuity of the Roman era.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hatay

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Begin your 3 hours’ drive to Adana, the vibrant heart of ancient Cilicia and gateway to St. Paul’s homeland. After lunch and short overseeing tour in Adana, continue to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul and one of the most meaningful stops on his spiritual journey. Once a major center of philosophy and learning, Tarsus nurtured the Apostle’s early education and worldview. Visitors can see St. Paul’s Well, the Roman road, and the remains of ancient city walls, offering a tangible connection to the environment that influenced his faith and mission.

Overnight: Tarsus

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Step into the pages of the New Testament as we visit Lystra and Derbe, two ancient cities deeply connected to the missionary journeys of St. Paul (appx. 4 hours drive). In Lystra, where the Apostle was once mistaken for a god and later stoned by the crowd, the landscape still echoes with the drama of those early days of faith.

Afterward, we continue to Derbe, where St. Paul sought refuge and continued his mission, preaching the Gospel and gathering new disciples.

Our journey continues to Konya, known in antiquity as Iconium, one of the first cities to embrace the Christian faith following St. Paul’s preaching. According to ancient legend, Iconium was the first city founded after the Great Flood. St. Paul and Barnabas visited here around 47 A.D., performing miracles and inspiring a vibrant Christian community.

Today, Konya’s rich spiritual heritage endures — from its early Christian past to its later role as the home of Mevlana Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes. The day concludes with an optional visit to the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum, before settling in for an overnight stay in Konya.

Overnight: Konya

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Early morning we will depart for Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac). Pisidian Antioch is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:14–52) as one of the cities where Paul and Barnabas preached during their first missionary journey.

Very little is left of Psidian Antioch today. There is the propylaea of the acropolis with a number of carved stones and the remains of a Byzantine church.

After the end of the tour you will be transferred to Antalya (appx. 3 hours’ drive).

Overnight: Antalya

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

The first stop of the day is the ancient city of Perge 18 km to the northeast of Antalya. This is where St. Paul began preaching after arriving from Cyprus. Perge was the capital of Pamphylia. The Roman Baths, the Agora, Colonnaded Street, Nympharium and the stadium are all on the visit.

Another one of the remarkabale Pamphilian cities is Aspendos. After the end of Aspendos Tour you will step into the Old City Kaleiçi where you can see Hadrian Gate, Roman harbor, Broken minaret etc.

Transfer to the hotel after the end of the tour.

Overnight: Antalya

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Morning departure for Pamukkale and Laodicea antique cities (appx. 3 hours’ drive).

Hierapolis, whose name translates as "Sacred City," originally served as a hub for pagan cults before undergoing a transformation into a Christian centre during the first century.

Tradition holds that the Apostle Philip resided in and was eventually martyred in Hierapolis. It is believed that the hot springs of Hierapolis, in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae, played a role in addressing the spiritual condition of the "lukewarm" Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). This historical connection between the cities is what underlies Paul's mention of Hierapolis and Laodicea in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:13).

Transfer to the hotel after the end of the tour.

Overnight: Pamukkale

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Walk in the footsteps of St. Paul as we explore Ephesus, one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and a central hub of early Christianity (appx. 3 hours drive). It was here that St. Paul spent over two years preaching the Gospel, establishing one of the first Christian communities, and writing his influential letters to the Ephesians. As we stroll through the marble streets, we’ll visit the Grand Theater, where Paul’s teachings once stirred the citizens of Ephesus, the Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Our journey continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, nestled in the tranquil hills above Ephesus. According to Christian tradition, St. John brought Mary here after the crucifixion of Christ, and it is believed she spent her final years in this peaceful setting. The site holds deep spiritual significance, attracting both Christian and Muslim pilgrims alike.

Overnight: Kusadasi

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Start the day with a journey to Miletus, the site where Paul bade an emotional farewell to the Ephesian elders, emphasising devotion and service to the Church (appx. 1 hour drive)

Depart for Smyrna (modern İzmir), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and a key center of early Christianity. St. Paul visited this bustling port city during his missionary journeys, establishing a vibrant Christian community despite facing local opposition. Travellers can explore the ancient agora, Roman streets, and the modern city’s historic sites, gaining a sense of the energy and challenges of Paul’s ministry in this thriving coastal hub. Evening drive to the village Adatepe for the overnight stay.

Overnight: Adatepe

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Begin your journey in Assos, a picturesque ancient city perched on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea. St. Paul briefly stopped here while traveling along the coast, taking the opportunity to preach and guide his companions before continuing by ship. Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city, including its well-preserved city walls, agora, and theatre, while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline.

From Assos, continue to Alexandria Troas, an important port city where St. Paul received the vision calling him to Macedonia, marking a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity into Europe. The archaeological remains of Troas, including the ancient theatre and harbour, allow travellers to imagine the gatherings of early Christians and the journeys that shaped the faith. This visit provides a unique opportunity to connect with the historical and spiritual significance of Paul’s ministry, all set against the stunning backdrop of Turkey’s Aegean coast.

Overnight: Istanbul

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Free day at leisure in Istanbul.

Overnight: Istanbul

Included Meals: breakfast

Departure for the airport in accordance with your international flight schedule.

Overnight: None

Included Meals: Breakfast