A UNIQUE BIBLICAL JOURNEY IN THE STEPS OF
Adam, Noah, Abraham, St. Peter and St. Paul.

Ex-USA (13 Days)
Based on flights with TURKISH AIRLINES via Istanbul to Van.
Returning Adana via Istanbul.
Best Months - May-June-September.

The Itinerary

DAY 1 - Flight Departure
Depart from the USA to Istanbul.
FLIGHT TK002 JFK/IST 1800-1100 +1

DAY 2 - Istanbul-Constantinople
THE MORNING
On arrival, travel by private coach into the old city area for a lunch break.
THE AFTERNOON
Sailing the Bosphorus -
Call at the port to sail the Bosphorus in a private boat through the winding straight that separates Europe and Asia with fine views of the river bank wooden houses and stately buildings.
Dinner & Overnight in ISTANBUL:

DAY 3 - East to Eden
Morning flight TK806 IST/VAN 0820-1020 - on arrival, into Van town by private coach.
Van Citadel -
This 9th-century B.C. citadel overlooks the new and the old parts of town. Steps carved in the rock lead to the Urartian fortress with inscriptions in cuneiform paying homage to Xerxes. Alexander the Great and Pompei would have seen this Citadel as they passed through with their armies.
The Old City -
A chance to experience ancient traditional crafts and see the women of Van produce beautiful fabric woven in blue, red and white patterns. The exotic Van cat, a protected species, has thick white fur and "one blue and one green eye".
Sailing Lake Van -
Stop for a drink by the harbour in the friendly tea-gardens.
Then sail across Turkey's largest lake to visit Akdamar Island. See one of the finest examples of Armenian architecture as shown in the Island's 9th century CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS whose stone walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures.
Picnic Lunch break on the Island.
Return sail to Van in the mid-afternoon.
Archaeological Museum -
Close the day with this visit to see some fine artifacts and discoveries from Eastern Anatolia.
Dinner & Overnight in VAN:

DAY 4 - Noah's World
A journey east on the Silk Road, leading into Asia Minor.
Ishakpasha Palace -
Stop to view this abandoned palace dating from the 17th century built by an Ottoman governor with a mixture of architectural styles. Then to a nearby bas-relief of an Uratian King, and rock-tomb from the 9th century B.C.
Muradiye Waterfalls -
Lunch break at this impressive sight and a drink by the falls in the peaceful tea gardens.
Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner & Overnight at ARARAT (Doðubeyazýt).

DAY 5 - Noah's World at Mt. Ararat
A day to explore this ancient location -
Depart from the hotel after breakfast in special mini-vans to ascend Mount Ararat - towering almost 17000 feet - to an observation point for stunning views of the region including Armenia. Later in the day, chance to sample the local "Noah's Pudding".
Return to Van in the late afternoon.
Dinner & Overnight in VAN:

DAY 6 - Adam's River
A day of stunning scenery through mountain passes, deep valleys, and quaint Kurdish Villages, with stops en-route for photo opportunities and refreshments.
The Tigris River -
Stop at the famous "Malabadi Bridge" built in the 12th century on one of the tributaries of the TIGRIS and which has the longest single span of its kind in the world.
Lunch break by the Tigris.
Medieval City -
Arrive in the city of Diyarbakir in the late afternoon and the hotel for room allocation.
Dinner & Overnight in DIYARBAKIR

DAY 7 - Ancient Anatolia
The Morning.
Diyarbakir -
Time in one of eastern Turkey's most important towns located at a ford on the Tigris. Its sturdy black basalt city walls and gates (dating back to Roman times - Trojan was here) are a superb example of military architecture. Its Christian community was represented by Bishop Julian the Apostate at the Council of Nicea in 325A.D.
Visit the 12th Century Grand Mosque, an Armenian Church, and a stroll through the old town area. Then to the outskirts of the town to view it from the banks of the Tigris.
The Afternoon.
Upper Mesopotamia Travel on south with some stops of the way for refreshments and photo stops of stunning scenic views, to arrive at the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight in SANLI URFA (EDESSA).

DAY 8 - Abraham's Land
The Morning.
Urfa-Edessa -
Time in this beautiful city which was on the main Persian Royal Road between Susa and Sardis, referred to in the writings of Eusebius, and later a major Crusader capital in the 12th Century.
Visit the massive Crusader Castle which dominates the town and stroll through its quaint Medieval streets, viewing the amazing examples of architecture and masonry.
The Afternoon.
Haran -
A short drive through the long cotton fields to the settlement where Abraham lived en-route to the Promised Land. This has been an important Mesopotamian historic and cultural centre from ancient times and today, the 'beehive' mud house villages are still used by the farmers and families.
See the city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner & Overnight in SANLI URFA (EDESSA)

DAY 9 - Euphrates & Mt. Nemrut
The Euphrates -
Travel to the Atatürk Dam for a briefing by officials about this gigantic structure - the worlds third largest earth-filled dam.
Then time by the tranquil banks of the Euphrates.
Mount Nemrut -
Continue to Nemrut National Park and Kahta village below the mount from where special mini vans ascend to the summit which at 2,150 meters, is the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia.
See the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century B.C. by King Antiochos I of Commagene. The engineering involved continues to amaze visitors, seeing the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus - their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet.
Outstanding views of northern Mesopotamia can be enjoyed.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner & Overnight in SANLI URFA.

DAY 10 - West & South
Gaziantep -
The first stop is in this attractive old city is located on a wide and fertile plain cultivated with extensive olive groves and vineyards and produces a wide variety of agricultural crops. It is especially known throughout Turkey for its excellent pistachios. Industry also contributes to the local economy. The 36 towers of the city's fortress were originally constructed in the Justinian era and were later rebuilt by the Seljuks.
The Gap -
Cross the fertile plains to ascend a stunning mountain range that guards the eastern Mediterranean coast and which has defended Antioch through the ages. Arrive in the city of St. Paul and St. Peter and to the hotel for room allocation.
Dinner & Overnight in ANTIOCH

DAY 11 - St. Peter & St. Paul
Mark Antony gave the lovely Cilician shores, the land between lanya and the Syrian Border to Cleopatra, as a wedding present.
Antioch -
Is situated on the Orontes river on a fertile plain surrounded by grand mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury. In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture.
From this city, St. Paul and St. Barnabas were sent on their first missionary journey and the early followers of Christ were first called "Christians" in Antioch.
The Museum -
This houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world - worthwhile visit.
The Iron Gate -
Stop to see one of the actual entrances of biblical Antioch.
The Crusader Castle -
Ascend to a high hill above the city which offers a magnificent view over the city and the plain.
Grotto of St. Peter -
Stop at this 'cave church' where tradition has it, that St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Barnabas met for prayer.
Continue west, following the Mediterranean Coast with a stop for lunch by the sea.
Arrive in Adana, Turkey's southern major city and the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight in ADANA