Thornleigh Travel - Christian Holidays overseas

A sensational, eleven day tour to Turkey, Israel and back to Turkey. You fly to Antalya from your most convenient UK airport, where you are transferred to your hotel for the first night of your holiday. Here you will meet your fellow holiday makers and receive a briefing on the days you will spend in Turkey.

After breakfast you depart for Kuşadasi and, en route, you will enjoy breath-taking views over the Taurus mountain range, separating the Turkish Mediterranean coast from the Aegean, and reach the provincial town of Denizli and the Meander valley. This is the most fertile plain in the whole country, with numerous fig and cotton plantations. You visit the ancient town of Miletus - significant as the place where St Paul bid farewell to the elders of the Ephesus church at the end of his third missionary journey in 57AD (Acts 20, 17-38), as he was on his way to Jerusalem - before arriving in Kuşadasi, one of the most important cruise ship harbours and resorts in the Aegean.

You stay here for two nights, thus providing time to visit Ephesus, one of the most prosperous of cities of the ancient world and the best preserved in Asia Minor. This was one of the "Seven Churches" in the book of Revelation (1, 11) and St Paul lived here for three years (50-52AD), causing furore when he preached against the cult of Artemis, resulting in a riot in the city‟s amphitheatre (Acts 19, 24-41).

You will explore the main sites, including the Library of Celsus (left) and Temple of Hadrian, before the guide takes you to the Basilica of St John, in Selçuk, built in the 6th century under emperor Justinian. Finally, a visit is made to nearby Mount Koressos where, according to tradition, Mary the mother of Jesus was taken by St John until she died.

Next day you travel inland to visit the ruins of Laodicea, another of the "seven churches" – "You are neither hot nor cold" (Rev.3, 14-22). You continue on to Hierapolis, established in the 1st century BC, an ancient Greek city on hot springs, used as a spa for people to soothe their ail-ments. Cleopatra is reputed to have bathed in the hot springs. This unique thermal spa is fed by "healing" spring water at a constant temperature of 35° C, and is a UNESCO ‟World Heritage" site.

The next morning, you head off towards Tavas and then return to Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast. You can stroll through the old town with its colourful buildings, and you won‟t forget the colours and flavours the fruit and spice markets offer. St Paul came here on his first missionary journey. You stay one more night in Turkey before transferring to the airport for the one hour flight to Tel Aviv.

Upon arrival in Israel, you transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel in Jerusalem for the next four nights.

There will be a sightseeing tour on Day 7 through Jerusalem, starting on the Mount of Olives with stunning views over the Old City and Temple Mount. Then to Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his last night before being arrested. You walk through the city streets to the Western Wall, the most religious site in Judaism, and up the Via Delarosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. You will visit the site of the Last Supper and the Garden Tomb.

In Bethlehem, five miles south-west of Jerusalem, you will be guided to the traditional place where Jesus was born, situated in the Church of the Nativity.

On Day 8, you travel up the Jordan Valley, past the Inn of the Good Samaritan, to the Sea of Galilee, and stop at several of the sites reflecting the life of Jesus: Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha (the feeding of the five thousand). You travel on to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, for a visit to the Church of the Annunciation, before returning to Jerusalem.

You will have some free time next morning before heading to the Dead Sea, where you have the opportunity to "take a dip" in the salient waters (420 metres below sea level). It is virtually impossible to swim! Nearby is Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

On Day 10 you will be transferred to the airport in Tel Aviv for the return flight to Antalya. On arrival, take a trip to Perga to view the city with its Hellenistic gate, thermal baths, stadium and other public buildings. Your over-night accommodation is provided here before transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

Hotels throughout will be of 4-star/5-star category (local country‟s designation) with air-conditioned bedrooms. Half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) will be provided each day. The airfare between Antalya and Tel Aviv is included. Travel in Turkey and Israel will be by air-conditioned coaches and all entrance fees are included in accordance with the itinerary. You should make your own arrangements for insurance cover.

Items not included are drinks, lunches and other refreshments, tips and items of a personal nature.