Join us in Turkey for this amazing journey through a biblical and historically rich land!
In our Ezra Adventures small group style, you'll experience some uniquely significant New Testament sites while learning the Jewish context of the Apostles and first century churches.
You'll enjoy tasting some privately prepared Turkish cuisine with my local friends in their village homes. You'll have opportunities to get your heart rate up with some exciting adventure options along the way.
This will be an unforgettable experience that will ignite the traveler in you. This trip will leave you reading the New Testament from a Jewish perspective that will breathe fresh life and understanding to the Scriptures!
It's going to be an amazing trip!
-Doug Hershey, Author of Israel Rising
Price of the package includes:
Accommodation in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale (Double Occupancy)
Breakfast daily, Lunch on Full Day tours
Private Tours with licensed professional English speaking guides
Domestic flights (Istanbul - Cappadocia / Cappadocia - Ephesus / Denizli- Istanbul)
Airport Transfers
Admission tickets to sites and museums
Private VIP transportation per tour itinerary
Parking, portage, toll roads
Coordination and attentive customer service throughout the tour by Sojourn staff
Required Association of Turkish Travel Agencies Foreign Visitors Insurance
(a vey basic mandatory policy and not an adequate replacement for purchasing your own travel insurance.)
Price of the package excludes:
International flight tickets
Optional gratuities to guides, drivers, etc.
Entry Visas
Additional drinks at lunch and dinner
Optional programs listed in the itinerary
We collect a 50% deposit at the time of booking. The final balance is due September 1, 2021.
What to Bring:
Your domestic flights allow 15 or 20 kg. total weight of all pieces, depending on airline, with reasonable charges for overweight baggage. Packing light will be to your advantage. Please notify us so we will allow an extra 20 minutes for your airport check-in if you know you are carrying overweight baggage. A good selection of medicines and toiletries are available in Turkey, should you need to purchase them. Hair dryers are provided in your hotel rooms, ask for one if it is not built in. Bring your prescription medicines, sunglasses, and spare camera battery.
Money:
The best way to obtain local Turkish Lira (TL) currency is to use your ATM card at local bank machines. Visa and MC are also accepted widely. It is advisable to notify your bank before traveling to avoid security blocks when using your cards overseas.
Telephones:
To dial the numbers given in this guide from a local phone in Turkey, drop the +9 and dial the remaining 0 followed by 10 digits.
Drinking water:
While tap water is usually safe in Turkey, it is best to drink bottled water during your travels. It is widely available for purchase at all restaurants, markets and street kiosks, and at site entrances.
Cultural Tips:
Locals are quite acquainted with tourists and generally forgiving of their cultural mistakes. But here are a few tips to help you make a good impression on your hosts.
Greet people with an unhurried “hello” and “how are you” before jumping into questions or business.
It is uncommon to greet strangers as you pass on the street, so no need to say hello to passersby.
Avoid engaging in discussion of controversial politics, though locals may initiate this -- usually best to reply graciously to their criticisms and change the subject.
In tourist areas, interaction between men and women will be rather relaxed. It is still best for ladies to be more reserved toward men to avoid common misinterpretations. Less eye contact and no touching are general guidelines.
Be quick to comment on what you like about the culture and keep the negatives to yourselves.
While wiping or even picking your nose is fine, always blow your nose privately, as it is offensive.
Take care to not point the bottoms of your feet toward others (as a man would cross his legs).
Point at things with your full hand, not with a finger, which usually implies anger.
Show particular respect to elders and feel free to smile and give physical affection to children.
Entry Visas:
Apply online at: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Have your passport details and a credit card ready. Print a copy of the visa and bring with you for immigration.
We provide personalized trips to biblical lands specifically customized to your small group's desires, making each personal trip truly unique. We don't do “tours”; We lead experiential expeditions that combine exciting adventure day trips, local cultural connections, and unique biblical sites, each immersed in our travel destinations. Experience real life in the lands of the Bible! Enjoy conversational meals with locals. Get your hands dirty engaging in practical needs. Venture off the beaten "tourism" path for new and local discoveries. Make a difference in a troubled world as you leave yours behind.
Arrival and Airport Transfer to hotel.
When you arrive to the Istanbul Airport and exit baggage claim, look for a person holding a sign bearing your name. Your private guide and driver will welcome you and transfer to hotel.
You will visit Emperor Justinian's masterpiece the St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and its monuments. Following lunch, you will continue your tour by visiting the Basilica Cistern and a visit to the Spice Market.
Today your Istanbul guide will take you to Topkapi Place and Istanbul Archeology Museum. Following lunch you will visit the Grand Bazaar. In the late afternoon you will continue to your Bosphorus Cruise tour.
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. In Cappadocia your guide will be waiting for you and transfer you directly to your hotel.
In the morning you will have a chance to join to our optional Hot Air Ballon flight.
After the tour you will be back in your hotel and start your day by visiting Pasabaglari (Fairy Chimneys), Esentepe Goreme Open Air Museum Avanos Pottery Village and Uchisar Fortress.
You will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to Cappadocia Airport and you will fly to Izmir. In Izmir you will be welcomed by your private guide and have tour in Izmir by visiting Smyrna Agora and Jewish Sites. Following lunch you will continue to Sardes ancient city.
In the morning you will visit Ephesus ancient city and its museum. For lunch your tour will continue by visiting a Turkish family for your culinary experience in a small village.
Your private guide and driver will be ready in your hotel to take you to Pergamon. You will visit Acropolis and Asklepion After lunch you will continue to Red Basilica. You will turn back to your hotel in Kusadasi.
You will leave Kusadasi early in the morning and drive to Pamukkale. After your hotel check - in, you will visit Laodicea ancient city. Following lunch you will visit Hierapolis ancient city and have a relaxing time in the white terraces of Cotton Castle. In the afternoon you will swim in the Thermal water of Cleopatra Pool.
You will be transferred to Denizli Airport for your morning flight to Istanbul. In Istanbul you will be welcomed by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours.
International flight from Istanbul Airport.
Your private driver will be ready in your hotel to take you to Istanbul Airport for your international return flight.
