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Turkey

Turkey & the New Testament Church

All are welcome to join us on our ten-day pilgrimage to the ancient land of Turkey, which lies at the heart of the New Testament church.

Turkey today is a wonderful synthesis of modern life alongside a largely unspoilt land and many fascinating archeological sites, all of which evoke the flavour of the first and second century as it struggled to find its place in a frequently indifferent and openly hostile world. Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Muslim influences make western Turkey a melting pot of cultures and history, and we shall have plenty of opportunities to immerse ourselves in all it has to offer.

We start our pilgrimage in Antalya, now called the "Turkish Riviera" due to its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is the place where sea, sun, history and nature constitute a perfect harmony and which also includes the most beautiful and clearest coast along the Mediterranean. We visit the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia, rich with both Biblical and Classical history, Derbe and Lystra where Paul preached on his first missionary journey before flying to Izmir.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, a very important city during early Christian times, is with its ruins another highlights of our pilgrimage together with Miletus, the ancient capital of civilization, culture, art and science. We end our stay in Selcuk for a day at leisure before flying back home. Do come and join us!

 

Itinerary

  1. TRAVEL TO ANTALYA

    Meet at London Heathrow Airport and fly with Turkish Airlines to Antalya via Istanbul. On arrival you will be met by your local guide, who will be with you throughout the tour, and escorted to your hotel.

    Overnight and dinner at the Best Western Plus Khan Hotel (or similar)

  2. ANTIOCH OF PSIDIA

    After breakfast, we drive to Antioch of Psidia. The ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia is rich with both Biblical and Classical history and is known as the city where the apostle Paul delivered his first recorded sermon on his first missionary journey (Acts 13). Following the visit, we join our coach and transfer to Konya.

    Three-night stay at the Dedeman Hotel (or similar). Dinner in the hotel.

  3. KONYA

    Konya's iconic sight is the distinctive green conical dome above the tomb of the 13th-century philosopher, poet, and nonsecular leader Mevlâna Celaleddin Rumi. We will visit the museum before continuing to Karatay Madrasah. Built in 1251, the site offers a glimpse into the architectural style and educational practices of the Seljuk era. We end our day at the Ince Minaret Mosque with its magnificent portal which displayed a high degree of attention and combines sophisticated design and skilful decoration rarely seen in another Muslim building. Dinner in the hotel.

  4. LYSTRA

    After breakfast, we visit Lystra, where Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 14: 6-22).

    Kilistra, also known as Lystra, is an ancient city that was established during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, dating back to around the 2nd century BC and extending until the 3rd century AD. Afternoon at leisure and dinner in the hotel.

  5. DERBE AND ANTALYA

    Today we visit Derbe. According to the Biblical Book of Acts, St Paul visited the town of Derbe on his first and second journeys, when he traveled the region sharing the message of Jesus Christ. It is also likely that he passed through Derbe on his third journey on his way from Cilicia on towards the province of Galatia.

    We then transfer to our hotel in Antalya for dinner and overnight.

  6. FLY TO IZMIR

    Today we drive to Antalya Airport and fly to Izmir. Upon arrival, we transfer to our accommodation in Selcuk.

    Four-night stay at the Richmond Ephesus Resort Hotel (or similar). Dinner in the hotel.

  7. EPHESUS

    In the morning, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, a very important city during early Christian times. We will be exploring this ancient city and its ruins including roads used by chariots, mosaic pedestrian walkways, the famous facade of the Celsus Library, constructed from 117-125 AD and an amphitheater which could seat 24,000 people. We will end our day at the Temple of Artemis, also called Artemesium, famous not only for its great size, over 350 by 180 feet, but also for the magnificent works of art that adorned it.

    We return to our hotel for dinner.

  8. MILETUS

    Today we visit Miletus, one of the most important cities with its 3,500 years in history of humanity. The ancient city was the capital of civilization, culture, art and science. Miletus, also known as “The city of philosophers”, has raised many historical figures such as the philosophers Thales, Anaximandros and Anaximenes and the city planner Hippodamos. Today we explore the city including the Museum housing unique ruins and artefacts. Dinner in the hotel.

  9. SELCUK

    Today is at leisure for your own explorations. Today lunch is not included.  Dinner in the hotel.

  10. TRAVEL HOME

    We drive to Izmir Airport for our Turkish Airlines return flight to Heathrow via Istanbul.

    Please note the itinerary may be subject to change due to local conditions and flights can also be subject to alteration but are correct at the time of printing.

     

    There will be quite a bit of walking on this pilgrimage. Please talk to David Cook or call the McCabe office for advice if you are at all concerned.

Essential Information

Included

The cost is £ 2,899 per person sharing a double or twin room.

One night in Antalya at the Best Western Plus Khan Hotel, are followed by three nights at the Dedeman Hotel, in Konya and an overnight at the Best Western Plus Khan Hotel in Antalya before flying to Izmir. The final four nights are at the Richmond Ephesus Resort Hotel in Selcuk.

The tour includes daily breakfast and evening meal. Seven lunches are also included.

Touring is by air-conditioned coach and we will be accompanied by our tour guide who will look after the formalities of hotel check-ins, etc.

All entrance fees are included as well as, headsets and gratuities; these will be disbursed locally to those who help us on our journey.

Flights

We fly on Turkish Airlines scheduled flights from London Heathrow Airport to Antalya (via Istanbul)  and then from Antalya to Izmir.

We return from Izmir to Heathrow via Istanbul. All flights, airport and security taxes are included.

Not included

Travel insurance: this is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We have partnered with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays.

Single rooms: a limited number of single rooms are available at a supplementary cost of £389. For single travellers who do require single accommodation this should be requested when making a booking and, if a single room is available, the supplement will be payable.

Special requests

These should be noted at the time of booking.

Payments

A non refundable deposit of £350 per person. The final balance is due 12 weeks before departure.

Documents

Final Travel Documents will be sent to you two weeks before departure.

Late bookings

Please note that for bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

Practical information

Entry requirements

British Citizen and EU Citizen Passport holders can currently enter Turkey freely with no restrictions or other documentation required. Stays can be up to 90 days (can be spread over multiple visits) within any 180-day period.

Please note your passport must be valid for 150 days after your return from Turkey.

Full details of entry requirements and any required vaccinations will be detailed in your final paperwork 14 days before departure.

For the latest and most up to date travel advice including entry requirements please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office travel advice website.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Health & wellbeing

If you haven't had a booster in the last ten years it is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Vaccination, Covid-19 and health information can change so please contact your local health care provider for the most up to date information. We will send up to date information on entry requirements with your final paperwork approximately 14 days before departure.

Adequate insurance cover will be required for all hospital emergencies and doctors’ visits.

Climate

In Istanbul and Cappadocia the average daily lowest and highest temperature range during your tour will be; April: 08-19; June 18-24; September 18-25; October 15-22 degrees centigrade. When travelling in the mountains temperatures will be a few degrees cooler particularly in the mornings and evenings. Rainfall averages are; April: 6 days; June: 4 days; September: 3 days; October; 4 days and are usually just the odd short thunderstorm.

Clothing

Dress is cool and casual throughout your time in Turkey. You may wish to take one or two smarter items for the evenings. Casual clothing is recommended in the day-time with evenings being smart/casual. As this tour requires a certain amount of gentle to intermediate walking, we suggest you take a pair of lined shoes or boots with decent grip. Sports shoes or trainers are fine as well as walking boots. It is advisable to bring just a couple of warmer items for the evenings as well as coastal walks where the wind may reduce the temperatures.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking, light undulations with just one or two steep sections but a number of stairs involved on a daily basis during your time in Turkey so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guide will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up then please make sure you tell your Local Guide who can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Some streets in towns and villages that you will visit will be cobbled and ancient sites can have some uneven ground. We suggest you take a pair of comfortable shoes with good grips or trainers.  You must be prepared to be on your feet for up to 90 minutes without the necessity to sit down and walk up to a mile and be able to climb two to three flights of stairs unaided. Hiking sticks are fine.

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Travel insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

You can read McCabe reviews on the AITO website here

Read reviews

Dates

Upcoming Pilgrimages

We have no tours scheduled to this destination at present.

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