Day 1 ~ Depart the USA

Day 2 ~ Antakya (ancient Antioch)

Upon arrival in Istanbul and going through airport formalities, you will need to proceed to domestic flight terminal to take a short flight to Antakya. Once in Antakya you will be met and  transferred to your hotel for overnight.

Antioch-on-the-Orontes, once called “the fair crown of the Orient", is just 12 miles from Syrian border. Antioch was a city of great religious importance and home to several Roman temples and its suburbs.

Day 3 ~ Antakya

Antioch has great historical significance for Christianity; as it was the base for St. Paul's missionary journeys, as well as the place where followers of Jesus Christ were called "Christians" for the first time (Acts 11:26) and where the Gospel of Matthew was probably written. Antioch hosted a number of church councils, developed its own characteristic school of biblical interpretation, and produced such influential Christian figures as the martyr-bishop Ignatius of Antioch, the pillar-saint Simeon, and the "golden-mouthed" preacher John Chrysostom.

Our sightseeing in Antakya will include visits to: the Cave Church of St. Peter, where followers of Jesus were first called “Christians”; the Archaeological Museum, famous for its extensive collection of Roman and Byzantine Era impressive mythological mosaics beautifully displayed in natural light; and Samandag, located close to ancient site of Seleucia Pieria- major Mediterranean port of the Hellenistic and Roman eras- the port of Antioch, where Paul, Silas, Barnabas, John, and Mark set out on their missionaries.