THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE –

PILGRIMAGE TO TURKEY

LED BY THE VERY REV. DR. JAMES A. KOWALSKI,

THE REV. ANNE A. BREWER, M.D., THE REV. JANET C. WAGGONER & ED WAGGONER, PH.D.

OCTOBER 13-24, 2008

 

Day 1   October 13 - New York, USA

Depart New York for overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2   October 14 - ISTANBUL

Arrive in Istanbul where we will be met by our hospitality host and transferred to our hotel.  Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3   October 15 - ISTANBUL

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for a full day city tour including: Topkapi Palace - The great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th century to the 19th century. Today, it is one of the richest museums of the world housing the treasury of the Ottoman Royal Family; St. Sophia - It was built first by Constantine the Great, and the building we see today was built by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the greatest marvels of architecture of all times; Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmet Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue Iznik tiles used for its interior decoration. This mosque facing the St. Sophia is also famous for its 6 minarets; Hippodrome - This was the scene of chariot races, sports activities, and the center of Byzantine civic life. The monuments decorating the Hippodrome are the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We will visit the Grand Bazaar, the biggest and oldest shopping mall, which is a covered maze of 4,000 shops selling everything from modest souvenirs to priceless treasures. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 4   October 16 - ISTANBUL

Breakfast at the hotel and continue with our exploration of Istanbul with a full day of sightseeing.  We will visit the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, which was built in the 11th century, and is decorated with superb 14th century frescoes and mosaics on a gold background. Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent - The Mosque, where Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife are buried, is considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul. It was built in the 16th century by the famous architect Sinan, who was the long-time chief architect of the Ottoman Empire. We will go to one of the world’s most strategic waterways, Bosporus, and embark on a private boat to cruise along a 32Km. long natural canal connecting the sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. The two shores of the Bosporus, on the European and the Asiatic sides, are lined with modern hotels, old wooden villas called "Yali," palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages, making the sights we will see some of  the most beautiful in Turkey. We will visit the Underground Cistern, then return to our hotel.    Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 5   October 17  - ISTANBUL/IZMIR/KUSADASI 

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart Istanbul for our flight to Izmir. From the airport, we will travel to Sardes, one of the Seven Churches with remains of a Basilica, the Temple of Artemis, and the recently reconstructed gymnasium, as well as the largest synagogue discovered in Asia Minor. Drive to Kusadasi, check into our hotel .  Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6    October 18  - KUSADASI/EPHESUS/KUSADASI

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for full day of sightseeing.  We visit Ephesus to see the Basilica of John, the last House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Diana, along with other famous remains.  This was the largest Greco-Roman city of ancient times and had a population of 200,000 inhabitants. Important historical figures such as St. Paul lived in Ephesus. Along with factual history, there are mythological stories that are set in Ephesus, including the twelve labours of Heracles, said to have taken place around the region. It is the location of one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation, and the 3rd Ecumenical Council was held there. The places to be seen on the excavation site are Kurets Street, Marble Street, Hadrian's Temple, the Theater with 24,000 seats, and Celsius Library.  Return to hotel for dinner.  Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7   October 19 - KUSADASI/PATMOS/KUSADASI

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will transfer to the pier in Kusadas? for a charter boat to Patmos (approx 5 hrs). We cruise to the island of Patmos, a sacred island for Christians.  The famous monastery on the hilltop overlooks a landscape of striking beauty.  It was here that Apostle John the Evangelist, while in exile, wrote the Apocalypse.  We return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 8  October 20 – KUSADASI/IZMIR/ANKARA/CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast at the hotel, and then depart for Izmir Airport for our short flight to Ankara, the capital of Turkey.  Upon arrival, we drive directly to Cappadocia.  Check into our hotel.  Dinner at hotel.  Overnight in Cappadocia. 

Day 9   October 21 - CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast at the hotel.  Full day of sightseeing in Cappadocia.  We will visit the communities and villages within a 10 mile radius from Goreme.  Often described as a “moonscape,” the starkly dramatic terrain of Cappadocia impresses every visitor.  The biblical realm of Cappadocia is even more memorable for the Church frescoes and the labyrinthine underground cities carved from volcanic stone.  Each village is dotted with cone and pyramid shaped dwellings that have been carved into the rock. We will visit the picturesque villages of Goreme, Cavusin, Avcilar, and Urgup and the Valley of Zelve with its “Fairy Chimneys,” as well as the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Return to the hotel for dinner.  Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 10    October 22 - CAPPADOCIA

Breakfast at the hotel.  Full day tour in the area of Cappadocia:  Natural Citadels of Uchisar and Ortahisar and Avanos.  Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 11    October 23 – CAPPADOCIA/ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Breakfast at the hotel.  Depart hotel and drive to Ankara for our flight to Istanbul. We check into our hotel and celebrate a special “Farewell Dinner” at a local restaurant.  Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12   October 24 - ISTANBUL/USA

Breakfast at hotel, check out and depart to the airport for our International flight back to the USA.  Arrival the same day.