Day 9 / 21 September Sunday / Antioch ad Orontes / Antakya
We will leave Tarsus early in the morning and will drive further to the modern city of Antakya, historically ancient Antioch. In that city the followers of the Galilean were called Christians for the first time. On the way we will visit the ruins of Seleukia and Pierea, the seaport of the mighty Antioch and monastery of St. Simeon Stylites the Younger, a prominent Orthodox saint of the sixth century, who spent 68 years in ascetical labors atop the column that was erected for him. Later in the day, we will visit several sites associated with memory of the Apostle Paul and some Roman ruins – fragile remains of the once glorious city. We will end our sightseeing in the mosaic museum, that is considered to be one of the best of its sort anywhere in the world. Dinner at Harbiye and overnight at the Buyuk Antakya Hotel. (B/D)

Day 10 / 22 September Monday / Kahta
We will start our day with a transfer to Gaziantep, stopping on the way to see Yasemek open air museum, the oldest discovered sculpture workshop that dates back to the second millennia B.C.(!). Gaziantep is one of the oldest cities in the region that most likely dates back to the Hittite times. The city is one of the most developed communities in southeastern Turkey. It attracts many visitors because of its rich history and its museum, famous for many historical artifacts. Since 2000, the Gaziantep Archeological Museum houses spectacular mosaics and some of the artifacts that were rescued from the very important ancient Roman city of Zeugma, whose remains were flooded after the building of the dam on the Euphrates River. Then we will continue to Mt. Nemrut West terrace for sunset. Dinner and overnight Kahta Zeus Hotel. (B/D)

Day 11 / 23 September  Tuesday / Urfa
Next morning we will get up for an early ride to see the sunrise on the East Terrace of Mt. Nemrut. After that spectacular sighting we will drive to Urfa or Sanliurfa, the historical city of Edessa. We will stop for lunch and to visit the Ataturk Dam on the way to Urfa. Urfa is Edessa of old and has close connection to the Old Testament and Church tradition. Some of the toponimic names bear the allusion to Old Testament personalities and it is believed that it was here that King Abgar, the ruler of the city, was healed and converted after receiving the gift of a cloth with an image of Christ not made by hands on it. We will visit the Old Bazaar in Urfa, the Sacred Pool and the area. Late in the afternoon we will visit Harran, the place where according to tradition Adam and Eve went when they were expelled from the Garden of Eden and where Abraham lived after he left his birthplace in Ur of Chaldeans. For dinner and overnight we will return to Urfa’s Edessa Hotel. (B/D)

Day 12 / 24 September Wednesday / Mardin - Batman
This morning we will visit the city of Mardin that was established by Assyrian Christians in the third century AD. The city remained populated predominantly by Christians until recent times. There is still a Christian community here, with very strong historical continuity. Many of the Mardin churches date back to the 5th century AD. One of the earliest churches dedicated to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia is in the city. We will tour the medieval town of Mardin and the Monastery of Dayrul-Zeferan, founded in 493 AD. For many centuries and until 1932 it was the seat of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. After Lunch we will visit several more ancient Christian sites of Anitli, Midyat and Mor Gabriel Monastery. Dinner and overnight Batman Bozogullari Hotel (B/D)

Day 13 / 25 September Thursday / Diyarbakir - Istanbul
In route from Batman to Diyarbakir, we will stop for a visit to Hasankeyf, another settlement that dates back millennia before Christ. The Romans built a fortress here, and under the Byzantine rule a bishophoric see was introduced here. In the afternoon we will arrive at Diyarbakir, also famous for many historical monuments and a mighty fortress made of dark basalt slabs. The walls of the city are over 5km long and to date are the second largest and best preserved walls in the world after the famous Great Wall of China. After sightseeing in town we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Dinner on your own and overnight at the Istanbul Hotel. (B)

Day 14 / 26 September Friday / Istanbul
Istanbul-Constantinople is in no need of introduction. We will start our visit of the glorious imperial city with a visit to what was once the heart of Eastern Christendom, the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia.  We will continue the exploration of the city with a visit to Hagia Irene church (if open), an underground cistern, the most beautiful Chora Church with its world famous mosaics and frescoes and the ruins of the monastery of St. John the Baptist in Studios. Many famous theologians and one of the church typikons (the book of ecclesiastical order) came from this monastery.  Perhaps the most prominent of them is St. Theodore the Studite, the great saint, theologian and adamant defender of the holy icons. Dinner on your own and overnight at the Istanbul Hotel. (B/L)

Day 15 / 27 September Saturday / Istanbul
Today we will continue the exploration of Istanbul-Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Church of Sergius and Bacchus, Pammakaristos Church, and the Blue Mosque. Then you’ll have some free time for further exploration and dinner. Overnight at the Istanbul Hotel. (B)

Day 16 / 28 September Sunday / Istanbul
This morning we will start with Divine Liturgy at the Greek Patriarchate in Phanar. After liturgy we will visit the Archeological Museum. Your afternoon will be at leisure or an optional Bosporus Cruise will be offered. Farewell dinner on the Bosporus and overnight at the Istanbul Hotel. (B/D)

Day 17 / 29 September Monday / Departure Day
This morning, after breakfast we will transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)