Oct 1

NEW YORK - JFK

We depart  Newark on our over night flight to Tel Aviv dinner and breakfast served on board.

Oct 2

MUNICH

Morning arrival in Munich. Sightseeing Munich, a city which dates back to the 9th century when as a village it was established by monks. We will visit with a local guide the twin towered Cathedral of Our Lady Frauen Kirche, Munich's famous landmark. We will also Visit the beautiful Old Town with Marienplatz and the famous Glockenspiel, and City hall. Dinner and overnight in Munich. (D)

Oct 3

MUNICH / OBERAMMERGAU

Proceed to Oberammergau for lunch and the world-famous Passion Play, which starts at 2:30 p.m, a break for dinner and an evening continuation of the Passion Play until 10:30 p.m. Overnight in Oberammergau. Overnight in hotel. (B,L,D)

Oct 4

MUNICH / IATANBUL

After breakfast we depart to Munich airport for our flight to  Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul we clear customs  and we meet our guide at the airport . We then drive to old town to visit  the Hippodrome where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. And the Blue Mosque which is a 17th-century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles, next visit is theTopkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years with its treasury section that includes the crown jewels and a unique collection of Chinese porcelains.Afternoon visit start at St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century. Return to Hotel.

Oct 5

Istanbul – Ankara

(Nicea museum is closed on Mondays)

After breakfast we drive to Ankara Arrive Ankara in the late afternoon and visit the Temple of Augustus, Converted in the fourth century into a Christian church having a rectangular choir with light and dark stone patterning, it was first built in the second century B.C. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

Oct 6

Ankara – Cappadocia

After breakfast, depart from the hotel to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations  Afterwards drive to Cappadocia by the Salt Lake via Aksaray. On the way from Aksaray to Cappadocia along the Silk Road, visit the Agzıkarahan Caravansarai. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Oct 7

Cappadocia

After breakfast, visit Goreme open-air museum dotted with churches elaborately decorated with frescoes and hewn out of rock by the early Christians hiding from Roman persecutors. Next stop will be the rock-caved natural citadel of Uchisar for a superb view of the region. Then proceed to Cavusin where you will have an opportunity to experience Turkish weaving arts right in the heart of its production. After visiting an authentic underground city nearby, we will stop at Avanos which is known for its earthenware potteries symbolizing the traditional character of the region. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Oct 8

Cappadocia – Pamukkale

After breakfast drive to Yalvac by the Lake Beysehir  to visit the remains of the ancient city Antioch in Pisidia where St.Paul wiped “ the dust off his shoes” and turned to Gentiles . Then continue to Pamukkale to visit the remains of ancient city Hierapolis. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

Oct 9

Pamukkale  / Laodecia /Philadelphia / Sardis / Thyatira / Izmir

After breakfast we visit the remains of the ancient Laodicea. Then continue to visit Alasehir ancient Philadelphia (7C). Then Sardis, the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, visit the Church built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Afterwards, visit Akhisar, the site of ancient Thyatira (7C). Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Oct l0

Izmir  /  Ephesus/ Kusadasi

After breakfast  we depart to see the remains from the Hellenistic Castle of Lysimachos, with a full view over Izmir, and to the Agora of Smyrna of the Roman city. Afterwards will  focus is Ephesus. In ancient times, it was the largest city and major harbor on the western coast.  Early Christian tradition identified John the Apostle with Ephesus and affirmed that he wrote his Gospel here. We visit the Basilica of St. John, built by Justinian in the 6th century.  The church houses the tomb of St. John. Early Christian tradition has also associated Mary, mother of Jesus, with Ephesus, because of Jesus committing her to the care of ‘the disciple whom He loved (John 19:26f).  We visit the Meryem Ana (The House of Mary). Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Oct 11

Kusadasi / Patmos / Kusadasi

After breakfast  we drive to the pier of  Kusadasi  and embark on a private boat to Patmos. After arriving at Patmos, we will drive to the village of Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this magnificent structure, which was build 900 years ago, exceptional in its architecture. View the courtyard, the monk's dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noting its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, see the priceless ecclesiastical treasures housed in the beautiful but small museum: books and manuscripts, mosaics, Icons, splendid medieval textiles and vestments as well as jewelry. Return to your motorcoach to continue on to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, where above stands the Monastery of the Apocalypse, a sub-unit of the main monastery. Walk down the steps to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the Revelation as well as the three-fold crack made by the voice of God emphasizing the honor of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque harbor.

Oct 12

Kusadasi / Canakkale

Depart to Pergamon, visit the Asclepion, the ancient hospital, the Acropolis, the Church at the site of ancient Serapium (7C). . Drive to Canakkale.  Dinner and overnight.

Oct l3

Canakkale / Istanbul

After breakfast, we visit Troy, settled as early as 3,000 BC.  Homer’s ILIAD relates the legendary story of the Trojan War (1200 BC).  We cross the Dardanelles by ferry to European Turkey, then drive to Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) for an orientation tour of the city.  The balance of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the city referred to as “Earth’s Pearl.” Dinner and overnight.

Oct 14

Departure from Istanbul.

After breakfast we transfer to Istanbul Airport for your homebound flight arrives the same day.

Not Included

-      Airport taxes, Taxes are approximately USD $380.00 to $480.00 per person, subject to change.

-      Insurance

-      Tip to the driver and guide of $8.00 per day.