Cradle of Christianity Tour
- 11 Days, 10 Nights
- Departure from Istanbul
- Daily Departure Guaranteed
- Breakfast at hotels
- Lunch at restaurants
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- All taxes & museum fees
- Professional tour guide
- No hidden costs
Motherland of Christianity Tour offers a profound journey through Türkiye, a land that played a central role in the birth and spread of Christianity. From the missionary paths of Saint Paul to the communities addressed in the New Testament, this tour uncovers the sacred geography where early Christian belief was formed, challenged, and strengthened. Travelers visit ancient biblical cities, early churches, and pilgrimage sites that reflect the spiritual and historical depth of Christianity’s origins. Expert guides provide rich biblical and historical context, connecting scripture with archaeology and tradition. Each destination reveals stories of faith, perseverance, and transformation that continue to resonate today.
Itinerary
DAY
1
Arrival to Istanbul & Transfer to Hotel
After your arrival to Istanbul airport, you will be welcomed at the exit of first gate by the Turkey Istanbul Tours representative. Then you will be transferred to your Istanbul hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY
2
Full day Basilica Cistern - Galata Tower - Bosphorus Cruise & Taksim and Istiklal Street Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Visited Sights: Basilica Cistern – Galata Tower Tour – Spice Bazaar – Marvellous bridge Bosphorus – Rumeli Fortress – Taksim and Istiklal Street – French Cultural Institute – Hagia Triada Eastern Ortodox Church – Ağa Mosque – Çiçek Pasajı
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel by the tour guide. We will visit the Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Then we will visit the Galata Tower is one of the eye catching land mark of Istanbul for sure. Our next station is the 17th century Spice Bazaar, an extraordinary, colorful and fantastic place to see where you can buy various gifts for your lovers. Then we will proceed to the marvellous bridge, Bosphorus which is known as a cradle linking Europe and Asia. You will also see Rumeli Fortress, a fortification built to control entry to the Bosporus Strait and protect Istanbul. At the end of the Bosphorus tour, we continue Taksim and Istiklal Street tour. One of the most populated pedestrian streets of Istanbul and Pera district. Our first stop is French Cultural Institute. Next stop is Hagia Triada Eastern Ortodox Church, meaning “Holy Trinity” the largest Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul. Next we visit Ağa Mosque and Çiçek Pasajı.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY
3
Full day Istanbul Old City Tour BY walk & Flight to Adana (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Visited Sights: Hagia Sophia – Blue Mosque – Topkapi Palace – Hippodrome – Obelisk of Theodosius and Grand Bazaar
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel by the tour guide and start to full day Old City Tour. Istanbul is a city full of famous iconic sites that today you will experience for yourself from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia with their breathtaking silhouettes that make the skyline so unique to the Topkapi Palace, a beautiful Ottoman palace once home to the Ottoman Sultans and the first president of Turkey. Spend some time where the gladiators of ancient Roman Constantinople, entertained the crowds at the site of the Hippodrome today you will see the Obelisks that have stood the test of time and are adorned with beautiful markings, taking us back in time. Our last station is the Grand Bazaar, Turkey’s the largest covered market at the heart of the Old City, offering excellent shopping. You will get the chance to wander through the Grand Bazaar and soak up the atmosphere of this incredible delight.
At the end of the day, you will be taken to the Istanbul Airport for your flight to Adana. When you arrive at the airport, you will be welcomed by our representative at the first exit door. You will then be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Adana.
DAY
4
Depart to Antakya & St. Pierre & Museum Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked from your hotel and depart to Antakya. Here Jesus’ followers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) Peter, Paul and also Barnabas preached here. Visit St. Peter’s Grotto and the exquisite Mosaic Museum.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to your hotel. Overnight in Adana.
DAY
5
Depart to Tarsus & St Paul Well & Depart to Cappadocia & Underground Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Tarsus and visit the Apostle Paul’s well, the Gate of Cleopatra, and the latest excavations. Then we will travel to Cappadocia. Today our last destination will be one of the widest underground city of Cappadocia region; it was carved out underneath a rock hill. The first three floors were probably carved out by Hittites about 2000 B.C. There were those underground cities where the first Christians hid excaping the persecution of the Roman authorities.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY
6
Full day Cappadocia Tour & Flight to Izmir (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and visit the Cappadocia, with its centre in Caesarea, was once the heart of the Hittite Kingdom of the Old Testament. This vast area is one of the most photogenic landscapes in the world. Extraordinary rock formations have become symbolic of this region, where you will enjoy the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys and Goremes breathtaking Open Air Museum. Watch the potters at their craft, in the famous pottery producing town of Avanos. Finally, savor the natural wonders of the Citadel of Uchisar Valley.
At the end of the day, you will be taken to the Cappadocia Airport for your flight to Izmir. When you arrive at the airport, you will be welcomed by our representative at the first exit door. You will then be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY
7
Ephesus Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Ephesus where St. Paul stayed a while, visit the ancient city, House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and continue to Miletos where St. Paul gave a speech to spread Christianity.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY
8
Smyrna - Pergamon - Thyatira Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to beautiful Izmir, ancient Smyrna. After visiting the St. Policarp St. Paul. Then Izmir Smyrna church, continue to in Akhisar, ancient commercial place in connection with Troy & Sardes. Depart to Pergamum, visit to Asclepion, the ancient hospital, the Acropolis, the Church at the site of Serapium and the Red Court dedicated to St. John. Then visit Akhisar, the site of ancient Thyatira.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY
9
Full day Sardes - Philadelpia - Laodecia Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Visited Sights: Sardes – Philadelpia – Laodecia
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Sardes, an extremely important ancient city and the capital of the Lydia Kingdom with its beautiful gymnasium and marble paved synagogue and the Temple of Artemis including ancient Christian Chapel of the 4th Century. Then we will proceed to Philadelphia in Alasehir, a favorite city of Paul and John. Then we will visit the Laodicea, an early center of Christianity and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
At the end of the tour, we will drive to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY
10
Full day Pamukkale Tour & Flight to Istanbul (Breakfast & Lunch included)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Pamukkale where you will explore beautiful nature and fascinating history. Pamukkale has hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing and cooling water. It seems like cotton that’s why it is called Cotton Castle. After having lunch we will visit to Hierapolis Ancient City as a Unesco World Heritage Site and used to be visited by people to soothe their aliments during the retirement and also die there.
At the end of the day, you will be taken to the Denizli Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. When you arrive at the airport, you will be welcomed by our representative at the first exit door. You will then be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY
11
Transfer to Airport (Breakfast included)
According to your international flight time, you will be transferred to airport 4 hours before your flight. You will be able do self check-in. This is the end of our services.
Included
- Breakfast at the hotels & Lunch at the restaurants
- Accommodations at hotels for 10 nights
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- All airport transfers with non-smoking, A/C deluxe vehicle
- Domestic flights (15kg baggage allowance)
- All tours with a professional English speaking tour guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- All taxes, entrance & museum fees
- Lunch on Tours (Vegetarian and Vegan Options are Available). Please specify when booking your tour
- No hidden or extra cost
Excluded
- International airfares
- Visa for Turkey
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours
- Beverages during lunch
- Dinner
- Gratuity to the Guide and Driver