Travel Dates

• August 20 – 30, 2025

• September 17 – 27, 2025

• October 7 – 17, 2025 (+ $100)

• November 18 – 28, 2025

• December 17 – 27, 2025 (+ $200)

Itinerary

DAY 01 DEPART MANILA
Depart Manila to Istanbul. Enjoy in-flight meals, amenities, and entertainment on board.

DAY 02 ISTANBUL – CANAKKALE (D)
Upon your arrival at Istanbul International Airport, you will be greeted by your English-speaking tour director at around 16:00. A comfortable LDC coach will be at your disposal as you embark on your journey to Canakkale. As you drive, enjoy a scenic view of the iconic 1915 Canakkale Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, spanning 2023 meters across the Dardanelles Strait. Continuing on, you’ll pass by the Gallipoli Peninsula, a historically significant site, where the first world war’s Gallipoli campaign took place. The peninsula is now a protected natural reserve, covered in pine forests. Later, stop at the Trojan Horse replica in Canakkale, a vivid reminder of the ancient Trojan War. After a fascinating day, enjoy a traditional dinner at your hotel before retiring for the night.

DAY 03 CANAKKALE – PERGAMUM – THYATIRA – SMYRNA – KUSADASI (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Pergamum Red Basilica, the worldly church that mixed doctrines and needed to repent (Rev. 2:12-17). It was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC and became a Greek and Roman hub for temple worship. Pergamum Acropolis Ancient City, we will go up to Acropolis with a cable car, with an amazing view of Pergamum along the way. Acropolis is at a height of 300 meters. The palaces of Pergamon kings, the theater, holy grounds, temples, the agora, gymnasium, heroon and other Roman era remnants can be found on this magnificent peak. Thyatira, the false church that followed a seductive prophetess (Rev. 2:18-29). Thyatira is in western Asia Minor about 42 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The ancient city was known for its textiles and dyeing trade and is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar Smyrna, the persecuted church that suffered poverty and martyrdom (Revelation 2:8-11). Smyrna was located north of Ephesus in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. The primary ruins of Smyrna are in the modern Turkish city of Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi

DAY 04 KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Ephesus ancient city, one of the world’s most outstanding archaeological sites. Walk in its well-preserved marble streets to the Library of Celsius, the Odeon, Grand Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Roman Bath etc. House of Virgin Mary, the belief that the Virgin Mary had spent her last days in the vicinity of Ephesus and that she had died there, focused attention on a nun named Anna Katherina Emmerich who had lived in late 18th century (1774/1820). The efforts to find the house were greatly influenced by her detailed description of the Virgin Mary’s coming to Ephesus, her life and her last home there and the characteristics of the city although she had never been to Ephesus. Artemis Temple, one of the ancient wonders of the world. The Basilica of St. John, it was constructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. Seven Sleepers, in the Christian and Islamic traditions, the Seven Sleepers, otherwise known as the Sleepers of Ephesus and Companions of the Cave, is a medieval legend about a group of youths who hid inside a cave. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi

DAY 05 KUSADASI – SARDIS – PHILADELPHIA – LAODICEA – PAMUKKALE (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Sardis, the “dead” church that fell asleep (Revelation 3:1-6). Sardis is located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Asia Minor, 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. Popular ruins include the decadent temples and bath house complexes. Philadelphia, The church of brotherly love that endures patiently (Revelation 3:7-13). Laodicea, the warm church with a faith that’s neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-22). Laodicea is in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, a primary trade route between the cultures. Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) & Hierapolis Ancient City, visit the extensive ruins of Hierapolis- known for its thermal baths and other Greek structures. Therefore, see “Cotton Castle” or Pamukkale’s national park: gleaming, cascading travertine terraces created by deposits of white limestone from thermal springs. You will walk your feet in the terraces’ stream of hot calcium-laden waters before going to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale

DAY 06 PAMUKKALE – CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Ancient Caravanserai (Tepesi Delikhan), a caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia, North Africa and Southeast Europe, most notably the Silk Road. Ancient and Pisidia “Yalvaç”, Paul visited this town on his first missionary journey, and it is here that he addressed the congregation in the synagogue on the Sabbath with his first recorded sermon. Immerse yourself in the excavations of an ancient city here and visit the Yalvac Museum to see the artefacts unearthed from the very same city. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia

DAY 07 CAPPADOCIA (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Cappadocia Hot air Ballooning (optional), over the enchanting landscape during sunrise time. One of the most exciting adventures in Cappadocia in exploring the region. Visit: S’s handmade crafts through a Turkish carpet weaving course (art experience stop), rug weaving in Anatolia first began with the arrival of the Turkish tribes from Central Asia, who settled in this land. Turkish village “Avanos”, a land of strange and wonderful works of man and nature. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms of this eight-story cave city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. Avanos Pottery Village and Art Center, Avanos set on the banks of the Kizil Irmak (Red River). This city used the red clay used for pottery making with some of the techniques dating back to Hittite times around 2000 BC. Pigeon Valley, many of caves and small dwellings across the river used by pigeons to collect the droppings of pigeons which is an excellent natural fertilizer for the orchards and vineyards. Goreme Open-Air Museum, fascinating rock churches and chapels at Goreme, Cappadocia. Dwellings and churches have been hewn into the rocks dating as far back as 4,000 B.C. Mass at Deremyanli Church at Avanos, it is located inside a large carved crevice. This is the only cave church in Cappadocia where people can conduct worship service. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia

DAY 08 CAPPADOCIA – ANKARA (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Salt Lake, called Tatla in antiquity, is a closed-end lake surrounded by plateaus. The sources that feed the lake are insufficient, the river Melendiz and River Pecenekozu. Ankara – capital of Turkey. Ataturk Mausoleum & Museum of Independence, final resting place of founder of modern Turkey. Following this visit to the Museum of Independence that houses a wax statue of Ataturk, his writings, letters, and personal objects. Ankara Castle, it is a historic fortification in the city of Ankara. It was founded in the 8th century BC by the Phrygians and rebuilt in 278 BC by the Galatians. Dinner and overnight in Ankara

DAY 09 ANKARA – ISTANBUL (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Hagia Sophia Mosque & Museum, a unique combination of Christianity and Islam religion in the same holding place. Blue Mosque, a 16th century’s religious center and the only mosque in Istanbul with 6 minarets. Hippodrome Square, where horse carriage and gladiatorial fights took place during the Byzantine. It is decorated today with an Egyptian Column, Serpentine Column, Grand Bazaar, it is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul

DAY 10 ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (BLD)
After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing, covering the following: Bosphorous Cruise Tour, here, you will be able to soak in the sights and sounds of Turkey’s Asia and Europe sector as you cruise through this water channel that is the very beat of life in Istanbul. Spice Bazaar, no visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. Historic St. Stephen’s Church, it is the heart of the city, it serves as a microcosm of Istanbul itself and although chains and fast-food joints are starting to edge out more old-fashioned stores. Church of St. Anthony of Padua & Mass, it is the largest Catholic Church in Istanbul. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, bringing back wonderful memories and superb souvenirs from your Turkish vacation

DAY 11 ARRIVE MANILA
Home sweet home!