Turkey Trip 2025

March 20 to April 2, 2026

Purpose:  To visit one of the most significant, Biblical countries (the Other Holy Land) and see the locations of the Seven Churches of Revelation; to visit some of the places that were important to the Apostle Paul; to experience the city where Asia meets Europe (Istanbul) and Christians were first allowed to worship freely; and also see some amazing tourist sites.

Trip Overview

Biblical: Sites of The Seven Churches and several other places visited by Paul.

Historical: Istanbul, Troy, Cappadocia (early Christians), etc.

Tourist: We will also try to see most of the important tourist sites that do not necessarily have spiritual or religious significance.

— The trip is designed to see the highlights of Istanbul and western and central Turkey.

Trip Details

— 14 days including travel days.

— 12 nights of lodging - Istanbul (3); Canakkale (1); Izmir (2) Pamukkale  (1),  Konya (1), Cappadocia (2), Antalya (2)

— Our first group event will be dinner at our hotel in Istanbul on March 21 around 6:30 p.m.

ITINERARY:

March 20 | Fly to Istanbul

March 21 | Day 1 | Arrival to Istanbul

March 22 | Day 2 | Full day ıstanbul— Blue Mosque - Haghia Sophia Cathedral - Roman Cistern - Spice Bazaar

March 23 | Day 3 | Full day Istanbul tour. Topkapi Palace - Grand Bazaar  - Cruise on the Bosphorus

March 24 | Day 4 | Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent - Chora Church  - Drive to Dardanelles

March 25 | Day 5 | Troy - Troas - Pergamum - Izmir ( Smyrna )

March 26 | Day 6 | Full day Ephesus with terrace houses

March 27 | Day 7 | Sardis - Hierapolis

March 28 | Day 8 | Laodicea - Psidia Antioch - Lystra - Iconium ( konya )

March 29 | Day 9 | Sultan Han , Kaymaklı - Underground city -  House of Adnan

March 30 | Day 10  | Hot air balloon - Goreme Open Air Museum - Zelve Open Air Museum

March 31 | Day 11  | Another opportunity for balloon if needed. Drive to Antalya

April 01 | Day 12 | Aspendos theater - Perge ancient city -  ⁠Archeological Museum of Antalya

April 02 | Day 13  | Flight to US

Those Going on the Trip

Samuel & Flora Barron

Steve & Lisa Best

Tim & Diane Brown

Barbara Burger

Linda Cabe

Melody Cabe

Tim Geary & Chris Sweet-Geary

Patricia Greene

Craig & Karla Grow

Steve & Karra Heggen

Timothy & Martha Hughes

Daniel Johnson

Justin Johnson

Pat & Pamela Jones

Adrian & Vickie Kjesbo

Joel & Lyn Kline

George & Deb Kreger

Renee Marshall

Dennis & Karin Miller

Jill Parris

John & Donna Pedlow

Gary & Robin Reiber

Stanley & Jane Rich

Michael & ShirleyStanton

Colette Wrightsman

Joshua Wrightsman

Matthew & Melanie Zeeb

Trip Cost: $3,095

The trip cost includes the following:

— All entrance fees (see itinerary below)

— Eleven nights in four-star hotels.

— Guide --  Sinan Yalcin

— Bus and bus driver for entire trip

— All breakfasts and all dinners

— Turkey Travel  book

— Travel insurance through Faith Ventures

— Headsets (Whispers)

— All TIPS for guides, driver and hotels

You will be responsible for the following:

-- Your flight;

-- Your lunches (usually around $15 per person) -- which are AMAZING!  But you could also choose to do snacks instead;

-- Your hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia -- if you choose to do it.  It will be about $250 per person.

Date for Next Meeting

March 8, 2026 and 12:30 p.m.

Packing List
Map
Packing List