Turkey: The other holy land
| 
| 
Visit the Mediterranean World of Apostles Paul and Peter and Explore the Seven Churches of Early Christianity
From 1 June 2012 to 11 June 2012
11 days/ 10 nights for only R 21,100-00pps
There is something so delightful, so magnificent about Turkey that everyone should visit the country at least once in a lifetime.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Anatolia (also known as Asia Minor) is titled the cradle of Christianity. It was here that followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians by their Roman rulers. Early paganistic ritual gave way to Christianity but was later replaced by the Islamic faith of the invading Selcuks. Today, Turkey is visited annually by thousands of religious pilgrims from all over the world. The Apostle Paul, born in Tarsus, travelled through Southern and Western Anatolia three times, preaching and converting thousands.
Devoted invites you to travel with us. The tour, which will take place in June this year, will follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. You will explore the Seven Churches of Early Christianity in Turkey. The tour will mainly revolve around the Seven Churches, but it will also include other tourist attractions. For the discerning traveller who chooses to experience this magnificent country in style and comfort, we have compiled an exclusive portfolio that will guarantee an awesome experience.
The Seven Churches are located in Western Turkey. They are seven major churches of Early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelations. "Churches" in this context refers to the community of Christians living in each city. The term does not merely refer to the building or buildings in which people gathered for worship. Today, this historic site mostly consists of ruins.
 |
 |
 |
This is what you will do on the Devoted Turkey tour:
DAY 01: You will arrive in Istanbul and be taken to the hotel where you will overnight. The day will be spent at your own leisure.
Day 02: After breakfast you will enjoy a guided walking tour of the “Old City”, covering a large area overlooking The Golden Horn. You will stop at the Hippodrome and proceed to the Blue Mosque, named so because of its interior decoration consisting of 21,043 blue Iznik tiles. In the afternoon you will visit the Haghia Sophia, the Byzantine Cathedral constructed by Emperor Justinian in 326 AD. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and a symbol of the “Golden Age” of the Byzantine Empire. You will also visit the Underground Cistern built by Justinian in 535 AD. Then you will drive to The church of Holy Saviour, containing breathtaking frescoes and mosaics dating from the 14th century. It is a remarkable example of Byzantine art. The tour concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a covered complex of alleyways containing 4000 shops of all descriptions. You will then return to your hotel, where you will overnight.
Day 03: Early morning, after breakfast you will depart on a morning cruise along the Bosphorus from where you will continue to the capital city of Turkey, Ankara. Here you will visit the Anatolian civilisation museum, and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. You will overnight in Ankara.
Day 04: Early morning, after breakfast, you will depart for Cappadocia in Central Anatolia, and will spend most of your day on a driving tour. The tour will pass the salt lake. This part of Turkey consists of unique landscapes and underground cities carved from the region’s soft volcanic rock. This trip will allow some unique photo opportunities.
Day 05: This day will be dedicated to the discovery of the Cappadocia region. You will visit the underground city of Kaymakli. From here you will tour to Pasabagi and Derbent valley. You will then proceed to the Avanos Pottery Village, Camel Valley, and the Chimney Valley, set on the banks of the Red River. You will also visit the Pigeon Valley with its fascinating frescoed rock churches and chapels at Goreme Open-Air Museum: “Elmali Church, Saint Barbara Church, Carikli Church which depicts scenes from the life of Jesus, and descriptions of the saints who wrote the Bible. Photo stops will be made at Uchisar “castle” village, a fantasy-land of wonderful works of man and nature.
Day 06: The highlight of this day will be the visit to Konya, an ancient city in central Turkey, once known as Iconium. It is the site of one of the first church councils and one of the Apostle Paul’s missionary destinations. It was the capital of the Seljuk Empire from 1150 to 1300 AD. It is also the home of Rumi (Mevlana) the Sufi saint who founded the Whirling Dervishes. You will then drive to Pamukkale to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the thermal springs with calcium rich water creating shallow white basins and twisted stalagmites.
The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2,700 metres long, 600 metres wide and 160 metres high. It can be seen from the hills on the opposite side of the valley in the town of Denizli, 20 km away. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988. You will overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 07: After breakfast you will drive to Laodicea Ad Lycum on the South bank of the Lycus River. The town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhoas. The building of Laodicea took place during 261-253 BC and it is ascribed to Antiochus II Theos. It was built in honour of his wife Laodice. The building was probably founded on the site of the older town. It was approximately 17 km west of Colossae, and 10 km south of Hierapolis. From a very early period the town was one of the chief seats of Christianity. Laodicea receives passing mention in the epistle to the Colossians.
Today, Laodice is solely an archaeological site. The existing remains still attest to Laodicea’s former greatness. The ruins near Denizli (Denisli) are relatively well preserved. Its stadium, gymnasium, and theatres are well deserving of notice. Other buildings on the top of the hill, are full of interest; in the East, the line of the ancient wall can be distinctly traced to the remains of a gateway. There is also a street within the town, flanked by the ruins of a colonnade and numerous pedestals. The street leads to a heap of fallen ruins on the brow of the hill, about 200 metres outside the walls.
You will visit ancient Philadelphia, the seat of a Christian bishopric during Byzantine times, also referred to as the New Jerusalem. Few ruins remain at the site of ancient Philadelphia after an earthquake hit In 17 AD. A small theatre located at the northern edge of Toptepe Hill is all that remains of ancient Philadelphia.
The next stop is Sardis, the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. You will spend the night in Kusadasi. Sardis is East of Izmir, and is solely an archaeological site. A small village nearby is named Sart. Places that we will see include the Sardis Synagogue, the Temple of Artemis and the Byzantine Church.
Day 08: After breakfast you will visit Ephesus, or Efes. The Apostle Paul lived here for 2 years.
The ruins of the city, Ephesus, are some of the greatest in the modern world. Around 1 000 BC a Greek city was built here. The city we see today was founded in the 4th Century BC by the successor of Alexander the Great, Lysinachus. Two great Councils of the early Church were held here in 431 and 449 AD. The highlights are: the Double Church where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 AD, the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the Theatre and the Temple of Artemis.
You will visit the house of Virgin Mary. This little stone house, restored and converted into a chapel in 1951, has attracted pilgrims of every religion and race for a great number of years. The house is located about 8 km from the center of the ancient city. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary has spent her last days here and was taken care of by the Apostle Paul.
You will also visit Smyrna (modern Izmir). Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey, with more than 2.5 million people. It is known as the "Pearl of the Aegean" and is one of Turkey's most westernised cities. The city’s origins are believed to date back to 3 000 BC. The city had a large Christian population (including Greek Orthodox) until 1922. Most of them fled during the turmoil of the War of Independence.
Places of interest include the St Polycarp Church (the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Izmir and the seat of the Catholic archbishop); the Archaeological Museum which houses artifacts from the Bayrakh Mound; and the famous Treasury (Hazine) – containing gold jewellery dating from the 6th - 3rd centuries BC. The Agora, central market of the Roman city of Smyrna dates back to the 2nd century AD. Several Corinthian columns with well-preserved capitols are still standing today and they are a part of a basilica. You will overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 09: Early morning you will drive to Pergamum (modern Bergama). The great acropolis of Pergamum is one of the most dramatic sights to see. Places of interest include the Asklepion Sanctuary and the Altar of Zeus, which is said to be "the place where Satan has his throne" (Revelations 2:13). The altar was rebuilt in Berlin’s Pergamum Museum.
Pergamum is home to the world's steepest theatre. It was constructed in the 3rd century BC. The theatre has 80 rows of seats and an estimated capacity of 10 000. The Red Basilica was originally a center of pagan worship and afterwards used as a church dedicated to St John.
A visit to Thyatira (modern Akhisar) will also be made.
Day 10: You will start the day by visiting the silk market and Sultan Mehmet’s Tomb in Bursa. Afterwards you will depart for Istanbul. On the way to Istanbul you will stop at the ruins of St Sophia, in Nicaea. It was here that Emperor Constantine held the first Ecumenical Council in 325 AD. The purpose of this council was to codify the faith. To this day the Nicene Creed, is the only creed of the Christian church, common to all sects. After crossing the Izmit Gulf by ferry, you will arrive in Istanbul, where you will visit the spice market and have a farewell dinner.
Day 11: On this day you will return from Istanbul to Johannesburg.
Join us on a tour to Turkey, the other Holy Land.
From 1 June 2012 to 11 June 2012
11 days/ 10 nights for only R 21,100-00pps
Package includes:
- Return airfare from Johannesburg, including airport taxes.
- Transfers (arrival and departure).
- 4* Hotel accommodation.
- Bed and breakfast buffets daily.
- Most dinners (outside Istanbul).
- Touring by luxury coach with reclining seats.
- Services of a travel director and a local English-speaking tour guide.
- All hotel service charges, entrance fees, taxes, baggage handling and hotel tips.
- Not included are tips for tour guide and driver.
Terms and conditions:
- Tips for tour guide and driver will be collected in Turkey.
- All prices are per person sharing.
- Flights are subject to availability and may vary dependent on departure date and airline taxes.
- Price valid until 30 March 2012 only.
Avoid disappointment. Book before 30 March 2012 to qualify for the advertised price:
Tel: 0027 (0)12 3615924
Cell: 0027 (0)83 291 0431
Fax: 0866085368 (South Africa only)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
You can also call Gerda on 082 896 0955 for more information or email Gerda: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(Click here to download the information flyer - 500Kb)
