San Pablo Tour I

Overview

Step into history and spirituality with Mariposas Tour’s 11-day / 10-night journey, The Route of San Pablo I, an extraordinary exploration across Turkey following the footsteps of Saint Paul. This unforgettable tour combines sacred Christian landmarks, ancient civilizations, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the surreal valleys of Cappadocia, the itinerary is crafted to inspire and educate every traveler—whether for pilgrimage, historical curiosity, or cultural appreciation. With daily English-speaking departures, expert guides, and carefully curated excursions, this program offers a meaningful and immersive experience into early Christianity and the diverse past of Anatolia.

Highlights

  • Istanbul: Visit legendary landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. Attend Mass at Saint Antonio Church and explore Ottoman and Byzantine heritage sites.
  • Antioch & Adana: Explore the early Christian city of Antioch, visit the Church of Saint Peter, and admire the vast collection at the Hatay Museum before continuing to Adana.
  • Tarsus: Visit the Church of Saint Paul and the Well of Saint Paul in his birthplace.
  • Cappadocia: Discover the fairy chimneys of Pasabag, rock-carved churches at Göreme Open Air Museum, and hidden underground cities used by early Christians.
  • Konya & Antioch of Pisidia: Walk through the ancient capitals of the Seljuk Empire and see one of Saint Paul’s first missionary preaching sites.
  • Pamukkale & Laodicea: Marvel at the calcium terraces of Cotton Castle and explore ruins where early Christianity flourished.
  • Kuşadası & Ephesus: Visit the Temple of Artemis, Celsus Library, Roman Baths, House of Virgin Mary, and the Third Ecumenical Council site.
  • Izmir: End the tour with a visit to the Saint Polycarp Church, a spiritual landmark in the city before flying back to Istanbul.

Itinerary

Day 01 :
Istanbul

Arrival in Istanbul and assistance at the airport. Transfer to the chosen hotel and accommodation.

Day 02 :
Istanbul

Breakfast. Full day tour of the city. In the morning we will visit the Saintta Sophia, Istanbul's most identifying monument, one of the most appreciated and beautiful architectural wonders; in addition to being one of the largest churches in the world. Then we will visit the Topkapi Palace, where the sultans lived between 1478 and 1856. Topkapi is not a unique structure, but an organic monumental complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas spread over the neighborhood of the historic center of the city of Istanbul to the tip of the Golden Horn. We continue towards the Blue Mosque; admired for its six tall minarets and terraced domes that rise in the center of the building; you will see that the architect achieved his objective; perfection with this impressive piece of architecture. Lunch. In the afternoon visit to the Roman Hippodrome (Seventh Severe period). It was the place where chariot races and circuses served as entertainment for the inhabitants of Constantinople for over a thouSaintd years. We will end the day in the covered market Grand Bazaar where they will enjoy free time. Return to hotel and lodging.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 03 :
Istanbul

Breakfast and departure for the full day excursion. Visit to the Church of Saint Salvador in Cora; one of the Byzantine churches with fine mosaics and frescoes inside. The church was converted into the Kariye Museum (Cora, Chora). Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, magnificent work of the notable architect Sinan. Visit the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate. Lunch. In the afternoon; We visit the Egyptian Bazaar (Species Market), followed by a visit to the Istiklal pedestrian street and the possibility of attending mass in the Church of Saint Antonio. Return to the hotel an accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 04 :
Istanbul - Antioch - Adana

Breakfast. We will leave the hotel towards the airport to take the flight to Antioch. We will visit La Gruta de Saint Pedro. Lunch. Continuation and visit to the Museum of Hatay itself, it contains a rich collection of Roman mosaics. Arrival at the hotel in Adana. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05 :
Adana - Tarsus - Cappadocia

Breakfast. Departure for Tarsus, the city where Saint Paul was born. We will visit the Church of Saint Pablo and the Poso de Saint Pablo. Lunch. We will continue to Cappadocia, land of the Fairy Chimneys; arrival and transfer to the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner

Day 06 :
Cappadocia

After breakfast; full day excursion. Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum where we will see some churches built on the rocks that offer frescoes in their interiors. Visit to the troglodyte town of Uçhisar. Continuation to the Los Palomares Valley. Visit to Pasabag (Valley of the Monks) which is also known as the Mushroom-shaped Fairy Chimneys. We will continue to the town of Avanos potters. Lunch. In the afternoon; We will visit an underground city with several levels of depth used by the first Christians as a refuge against enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. Return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner

Day 07 :
Cappadocia - Konya - Yalvac - Pamukkale

Breakfast. Departure for Konya (iconium). Konya Capital of the Great Seljuk Empire; visited by Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Lunch. We continue to Antioch of Psidia (Yalvaç). This city had a considerable population and had an important Jewish colony. Paul gave his first known sermon in the Antioch Synagogue on Shabbat. Arrival in Pamukkale, dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner

Day 08 :
Pamukkale - Laodicea - Mileto - Kusadasi

Breakfast. Pamukkale, a mountain covered by white calcareous deposits forming semicircular pools, offers a unique landscape called Cotton Castle. The ancient city of Hierapolis is located on this site. We visit the theater, the largest necropolis in Anatolia. We will also see the Matrium of Saint Felipe. The apostle Philip was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We continue with the visit of Laodicea. This city had one of the seven churches of the Apocalypsis. We will visit the Roman ruins. Lunch We will continue to Miletus. Miletus was recognized as the school of philosophy where the great philosopher Thales lived. It was also here that Saint Paul delivered his farewell speech to the Ephesians. Arrival in Kusadası, Dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner

Day 09 :
Kusadasi - Izmir - Ephesus

Breakfast. Departure to Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 inhabitants and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the Hadrian Temple, the Roman Baths, the Library of Celsus whose facade is still standing and the Odeon, an impressive theater that had capacity for 24,500 spectators. In Ephesus we will also visit The Church of the Virgin Mary where the Third Ecumenical Council in the year 431. Lunch. Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, supposedly the last resting place of the Mother of Jesus. Transfer to Izmir, hotel, dinner and accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner

Day 10 :
Izmir - Istanbul

After breakfast we will visit the Saint Policarpo church. Lunch and after a brief panoramic tour of the city, transfer to Izmir airport to take flight to Istanbul. Arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 11 :
İstanbul

After breakfast transfer to the airport to take the return flight.

The Route of San Pablo 1

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San Pablo Tour I
  • Departures in English
  • Istanbul
  • Spring, Summer, Autumn
  • Istanbul > Antioch > Adana > Cappadocia > Pamukkale > Kusadasi > Ephesus > Izmir > Istanbul
  • 10 Nights / 11 Days

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