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TURKEY

Biblical Turkey

Biblical Turkey

Biblical Turkey

“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia”

12
Days
20 - 35
Travelers
10
Cities
View Itinerary
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“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia”

Seek the incarnate Word through the sacredness of place

Your church’s custom pilgrimage to Turkey will follow the footsteps of Saint Paul, visit the churches of Revelation, and the birthplaces of the saints. Beginning in Istanbul you’ll uncover the many layers and intersections of history and Christianity as you explore the old city of Constantinople and center of Byzantine Christianity. Together with your local guide and pilgrimage leader, you’ll visit Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, the Chora (with its astonishing mosaics), the underground cistern, the hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace. Continuing to Cappadocia, Pergamon, Sardis, Loadacia, Heirapolis, and Ephesus, you’ll visit rock carved churches and underground cities, have the opportunity to soar above the Gorem valley in a hot air balloon, see the Basilica of Saint John, and the pilgrimage sites where John, Paul, and Phillip preached.

Tour Price:
Tour Dates:

Group bookings must typically be made 8-12 months in advance

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ITINERARY

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sample Itinerary
· Day 1  
Arrive in Rome, get settled into the Villa Lante, our beautiful convent residence. This afternoon we’ll stroll through the city visiting Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Capitoline, and the Pantheon before celebrating our first night with a traditional Roman dinner.

· Day 2
This morning we’ll visit the Forum and Palatine, taking time to read excepts from Cicero, Plutarch, and Livy.

· Day 3
Today we’ll travel to Subiaco to visit the first Monastery of Saint Benedict. Returning to the city after lunch, we’ll stop to see Santa Costanza, Saint Agnese outside the walls, and the Catacombs of Priscilla.

· Day 4
This morning we’ll visit the Scavi of Saint Peters, tour the Basilica, then visit the Vatican Museum.

· Day 5
After breakfast this morning, we’ll depart for Pompeii, the ancient Roman city destroyed (and preserved) by the eruption of Vesuvius.  

· Day 6
Students who wish to attend Sunday services this morning may do so. In the later part of the day we’ll regroup to visit Saint Peter in Chains, San Clemente, and conclude the day with vespers.  

· Day 7
This morning we will visit the Borghese Gallery and make a tour of churches with the works of Caravaggio in Rome.

· Day 8
We’ll depart by train for Florence. After checking into our hotel, we’ll visit the central market for lunch, have a walking tour through Medieval and Renaissance Florence, and conclude with a visit to the Accademia and Michelangelo’s David.

· Day 9
This morning we’ll visit San Marco, visit the Baptistry and climb Bruneleschi’s dome. This afternoon we’ll be free to explore the city in small groups before regrouping for vespers in San Miniato.  

· Day 10
This morning we’ll visit the Uffizi Gallery followed by a free afternoon with small group visits to Dante’s house, the Bargello, and Santa Croce. This evening we’ll celebrate with a Tuscan feast.

· Day 11
Depart Florence, fly home.

12 Days In Turkey

· Istanbul, 3 days: Hagia Sophia, Hagai Irene, Chora, Patriarchate, underground cistern, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace

· Cappadocia, 3 days: Gorem church, underground city and churches, open air monastery, Hittite Pottery lecture, and hot air balloon ride.

· Pergamon, 1 night: an ancient Roman city where Paul preached and one of the churches of Revelation.

· Sardis, stop only: One of the oldest synagogues, one of the churches of Revelation to whom it is written:  “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

· Loadacia, (2 nights in Pamukkale): one of the churches of Revelation, to whom it is written: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

· Hierapolis: archeological site of the ancient city and the monument to the martyrdom of St. Phillip.

· Miletus: one of the stops on St. Paul’s third missionary journey.

· Ephesus, (3 nights Kusadisi): the Basilica of Saint John, Ephesus, House of Mary, and Basilica of Mary

· Tarsus, (possible extension): the birthplace of St. Paul, center of stoic philosophy, where paul trained at the gymnasium

· Antioch, (possible extension): the church of St. Peter (one of the oldest churches in the world), center of Paul’s missionary journeys, and first site where Christians took the name.

Mission

Guided by the image of the Incarnation, that “God was made flesh and dwelt among us” in order that we might become like Him, a pilgrimage is more than a trip to the places of the bible, to the sites of the early church, or to the homes of the saints, it is a journey that seeks to place the image of Christ in us that we might be made more like Him.

Approach

The antidote to consumer travel, the goal of pilgrimage is for travelers to stand as Moses before the burning bush, to be transformed, and to have their own lives taken up and changed by the spiritual realities they seek.

Each day will incorporate suggested readings from scripture and the writings of the early church, time for private or shared reflection and prayer, and meals that celebrate the joy of God in neighbor.

A prayerful understanding of place

For Christians, place is never just the created, natural order, nor is it pure, spiritual reality, it must always be both. A pilgrimage encounter with place must both seek God in place, in the finite and particular, through the lives and examples of the Saints and it must require travelers to take those footsteps themselves, each traveler must seek to move through place to God. From this perspective, pilgrimage is an image of prayer, it seeks to turn the body, the footsteps, the act of every traveler into the image of prayer.

BIBLICAL TURKEY

The modern country is the geographic center of many of the events of the bible and early church. It is in in Turkey that Abraham circumcised Isaac, that Jacob wrestled the angel, that Paul and Peter founded the church of Antioch, that Byzantine Christianity thrived for more than thousand years, and to this day it is the home of the Armenian Apostolic tradition, the Assyrian church, and it is the only county where Aramaic, the language of Christ, is still spoken.

Mission

To challenge the apathy and aimlessness of our current cultural moment with mental discipline and rigorous training.

Activities

• Early morning workouts
• Rucking
• Pre-dawn Mount Kerkis hike
• Hike to Cave of Pythagoras
• Underwater rock hauling
• Megalo Seitani hike
• Ice baths
• Roasted lamb or goat on a spit
• Big meals with an abundance of food, roasted meats, wine, toasts, and a spirit of fellowship and conviviality
• Camaraderie, contemplation, and conversation
• Open-water swims and spearfishing (optional)

sq4 eLITE TRAINING

SQ4 coaches men to achieve a higher level of fitness and athletic excellence by blending the principles of ancient philosophy with the empirical depth of modern exercise science designed to permanently enhance their life, mindset, habits, and physique.

SQ4 METHODOLOGY

The key to a lasting fitness transformation is understanding the layered nature of man.  The SQ4 methodology is based on the ancient understanding of man and virtue that transcends cultures and epochs:

• Psyche – Life – Courage
• Nous – Mindset – Wisdom
• Pneuma – Habits – Temperance
• Soma – Physique – Justice

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

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Activities

• Daily pilates
• Biking the trans humana ancient shepherd paths
• Cooking lesson
• Winery and Olive Oil visits
• Castel del Monte of Frederick II
• Visits to locals towns
• Relaxing evenings of wine, food, and a spirit of celebration
• Practicing keeping the body young with age
• Meeting with local pottersSpa and self-care

PURPOSE

More than a trip to Italy, this weeklong travel-retreat will focus on being healthy physically and mentally through activities that nourish and rejuvenate. Whether detoxing from cell phones, work, or other daily demands, this is an opportunity to be in the moment, to enjoy delicious Italian food, wine, and the fresh perspectives provided by a stunning Italian landscape.

A PILATES APPROACH TO PUGLIA

Self care doesn’t just mean pampering, it means intentionality. Pilates trains your body to make intelligent movements that support your body all day, every day. Travel encourages a perspective of vulnerability, of stepping into the new and beautiful in order to rediscover the new and beautiful within yourself. From this perspective, an experience of the ‘importance of place’ in Puglia is equally to realize that connectedness within yourself.

WHAT'S
INCLUDED

All breakfasts and seven additional meals.
All transportation throughout the trip. (This does not include airfare.)
All accommodation, activities, and logistics management.
Images of Pilgrimage by Fr. Robert Crouse, a guide to the church’s vision of pilgrimage.
Your friendly Alithea tour manager for the duration of the tour.
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FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com

TOUR TIPS

Pack Light

Alithea hotels are boutique, family-run and centrally located in the historic centers where the ancient roads are too small for buses. That often means needing to walk between our bus and hotels. Between destinations we will be required to carry our own luggage which may include significant stairs and no elevator. We encourage our travelers to take a simple carry-on size bag with a small backpack for outings.

Come Prepared

Like every great story, there is no possibility of discovery and of arriving at beautiful places without a journey to get there. On our Turkey journey we will take the bus and boat in order to arrive at the spectacular destinations we’ll be visiting. We’ll not only use this time to relax and enjoy the view but also to prepare with our Alithea guide for the sites we’ll visit next. Of course, we can’t appreciate the gorgeous vistas of the mountains without significant driving on winding roads.

Bus and Travel Time

Like every great story, there is no possibility of discovery and of arriving at beautiful places without a journey to get there. On our Turkey journey we will take the bus and boat in order to arrive at the spectacular destinations we’ll be visiting. We’ll not only use this time to relax and enjoy the view but also to prepare with our Alithea guide for the sites we’ll visit next. Of course, we can’t appreciate the gorgeous vistas of the mountains without significant driving on winding roads.

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com
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Reserve Your Place

Biblical Turkey

A $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot. All deposits and discounts (if applicable) will be applied to the total tour price. Deposits are refundable within 30 days of payment.

 $500.00
Deposit
*Read our refund policy here
A Christian Classical Approach to Travel
Travel encourages a living experience of art, history, and ideas that transforms the classroom into an immersive experience of truth, beauty, and goodness. Museums, meals, archeological sites, and foreign languages are not merely artifacts that help students consider the world, they cultivate a love of wonder, moral imagination, and a rich understanding of the truth. More than a student trip, travel is an invitation to become a lifelong practitioner of the loves that shape the soul.
The Prayerful Traditions of Europe
Rather than treating churches and monasteries as defunct historical monuments, Alithea and Oakdale Academy invite students to approach them as places of prayer and worship