March 24/25, 2008, Easter Monday & Tuesday — Preparation and Travel.

Because of the length of the journey (minimum 15 hours flying time, with at least one stop) and the 10-hour time-zone difference, it will be necessary to leave Los Angeles no later than Tuesday morning in order to be in Istanbul by Wednesday afternoon for the official beginning of the Pilgrimage. Flight arrangements may be made through Claremont Travel, or on your own.

There is no non-stop LAX-IST flight. However, most major airlines offer a variety of itineraries, which you can view at at their websites or other travel websites. Try to get an itinerary that puts you into Istanbul no later than mid-afternoon, especially if you plan to come in on Wednesday.

For those who wish, arrangements (at modest extra cost) may be made to come a day early, leaving LA on Monday morning, allowing time to become accustomed to the time differences and to explore and orient yourself to our surroundings in Istanbul. The Madison Hotel, where we will begin our Pilgrimage, is in the heart of the Beyoglu district, with Taksim Square, the upscale shopping district of Istikllan Caddesi, and the Galata Tower, with its panoramic view of the wole city, a short walking distance awat.

Play this to get in the mood. Be sure your speakers are on.

March 26, Wednesday—Istanbul.

Plan your trip to arrive in Istanbul's Atatürk Airport no later than mid-afternoon. If you're traveling on a US Passport, you will purchase the required visa when you arrive for $26--American cash. If you are a citizen of another country, you will probably have to obtain a visa beforehand at the Turkish Consulate. Transportation by bus or taxi from the airport to the hotel is cheap and easily arranged.

For those who arrive early, our hotel, located near Taksim Square, is within easy walking distance of Istiklal Caddesi (a modern upscale shopping and dining area) and the Tower of Galata, which has a magnificent 360-degree panorama of the entire city.

The Pilgrimage will officially begin at the Madison Hotel at 5:00 pm with Mass, an orientation talk by Aydin Eroglu, our guide, and dinner. We’ll be finished early enough to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a full day!

March 27, Thursday—Istanbul

We’ll spend two full days in Istanbul, and have plenty of opportunity to get acquainted with the historical richness of ancient Constantinople, as well as the unique character of this modern city. Every day during the Pilgrimage we will have breakfast at the hotel, and usually depart from the hotel at 8:00 am. (Some days it will need to be earlier.) Today we will tour the important Byzantine Christian sites of the city. These will include:

• the Hippodrome,
• the Great Church of Hagia Sophia,
• the well-preserved ancient church of Hagia Irene,
• the vast underground Basilica Cistern,
• the Aqueduct of Emperor Valens,
• the Walls of Emperor Theodosius
• the magnificent mosaics and frescoes of the Church of St. Savior in Chora
• the all cast-iron Church of St. Stephen of the Bulgars
• the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Church of St. George in Phanar (Fener)
• the Church of the Pammakaristos
• the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols
• the Monastery Church of the Pantocrator (Zeyrek Camii).

In the middle of the day we will break for lunch at a local restaurant. (Most days on the Pilgrimage, we will each pay for our own lunch.) We will conclude the day with Mass in one of the Catholic Churches in Istanbul (probably Saint Antoine), and dinner back at the hotel. (Most days dinner is included in the tour package.)

March 28, Friday—Istanbul

Today we will concentrate on Ottoman Turkish and Muslim sites. These will include:

• the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque)
• the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
• the Archeological Museum
• the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, designed by Sinan, one of the world's greatest architects, and roughly a contemporary of Michelangelo
• it may be possible for us to attend the Muslim Friday Prayer Service at this Mosque
• lunch at Daruzziyafe Restaurant (part of Süleymaniye Mosque complex)
• Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans

We will celebrate evening Mass at Saint Esprit Cathedral, where recent Popes have visited and where the famous monument to Benedict XV, “the Pope of Peace,” stands in the courtyard.. Dinner at hotel.

Saturday, March 29—Istanbul to Ankara

Saturday morning we’ll leave early to travel by bus about six hours to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, during which we'll discuss with Aydin many things about Turkey and Turkish history an culture, as well as Islam. Upon arival we'll visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – a real “must-see” – and check into the Ickale Hotel. We'll celebrate the Vigil Mass for Sunday, and have dinner before retiring.

Sunday, March 30—Ankara to Cappadocia

We'll again leave early and drive about 180 miles south thrpough the region of Galatia, where St. Paul established a community of Christians. We'll arrive in to Cappadocia about midday in time for lunch at the Caravansary restaurant, modeled after a Seljuk han (rest stops on the ancient "Silk Road" trade route). Cappadocia is famous for its strange landscape and historic civilizations: “fairy chimneys” and other unusual geological formations. We will tour various sites including the Göreme Open Air Museum and the underground city of Kaymakli. Cappadocia is famous both for its unusual volcanic landscape and its role in the development of early Christian theology and life. On the way to the Perissia Hotel, where we will spend two nights, we will stop at the Turasan Winery for a tour and tasting. After dinner at the hotel, we'll have the opportunity to attend a folkloric dance show at the Yasir Baba in Urgup ($35 additional cost).

Monday, March 31—Cappadocia

After breakfast, we will visit “Carpedocia” a Turkish carpet and kilim cooperative, and learn the fascinating story of how Turkish carpets are handmade in villages, with an opportunity to purchase if you wish. We will have lunch in a rock cave restaurant at Gamirasu, and Mass in an ancient church carved out of rock in a hillside above it. There will be many opportunities to see the various fantastic rock formations of Cappadocia, the region is also famous for its jade and turquoise jewelry and its pottery, and we will tour Chez Galip, a world-famous local ceramic workshop.. After dinner at the hotel, we will want to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow morning’s balloon ride.

and will stay for two nights at the Perissia Hotel. The rest of Sunday and all day Monday will be devoted to exploring the wonders of this strange landscape and historic civilizations: “fairy chimneys” and other unusual geological formations, an underground city, and dwellings and churches carved into the rocks and cliffs. We will celebrate Sunday Mass at one of the cave-churches in Cappadocia. One evening we will have the opportunity to attend an optional folkloric presentation at Yasar Baba in Ürgüp, and one morning the adventurous among us can take a two-hour hot-air balloon ride over this unique and wonderful landscape. (The balloon ride will cost about $200 extra . . . and is well worth it! Be prepared to pay in American cash.) Here we will also have an opportunity to visit a local winery (Kocabag), learn about (and buy) hand-woven Turkish carpets and kilims at Carpedocia, a village cooperative, and tour Chez Galip, a world-famous local ceramic workshop.

Tuesday, April 1—Cappadocia to Atakya (ancient Antioch-on-the-Orontes)

We will be picked up very early (before 5:00 am!) for an optional sunrise balloon ride over Cappadocia. There is nothing like it in the world: be sure to watch our video on YouTube, and it is well worth the extra approx. $220 and lost sleep! After this fabulous adventure, we’ll be back at the hotel around 8:00 am for a quick breakfast and departure to Antakya (ancient Antioch-on-the-Orontes,also called Hatay). On the way we’ll stop to see the ruins of the 10th century Eski Gümüs Monastery complex, with wonderful frescoes. In Apostolic times, ancient Antioch served as the base from which the evangelization of the whole Mediterranean world proceeded. Throughout Byzantine times, it was one of the major patriarchal cities, and of immense importance in the development of Christian faith.

Wednesday, April 2—Antakya to Adana

After breakfast, we’ll tour the Antioch Museum across the street from the hotel, with its outstanding collection of ancient Roman mosaics from the houses of the wealthy in the area. We’ll then visit the Grotto of St. Peter, which may be the site where the early community of Christians actually met and celebrated the Eucharist. We also will be privileged to celebrate Mass in this ancient and significant spot. After lunch, we’ll retrace our route back to Adana, where we will stay the night.

Thursday, April 3—Adana to Konya (ancient Iconium)

After breakfast, we’ll leave Adana and briefly visit Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, and Silifke (ancient Seleucia—there were several), the reputed dwelling and burial place of St. Thecla. Shortly before arriving in Konya (ancient Iconium), we’ll stop at Çatal Hüyük, excavations of the oldest known settlement in world, perhaps getting a feel for how people lived there 8,000 years ago. (Many of the artifacts from here we will have already seen at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.) Once we arrive at the Ozkaymak Park Hotel in Konya, after dinner, we’ll have the opportunity to witness the “Sema” or contemplative religious ritual dance of the Muslim Sufi order known popularly as the “Whirling Dervishes.” (This is also optional at a $35 additional charge.)

Friday, April 4—Konya (via Pisidian Antioch) to Pamukkale (ancient Hierapolis).

After breakfast, we will celebrate Mass in the small Catholic church of St. Paul in the heart of Konya. This is a tiny church maintained by two nuns, and we will learn about their important and difficult apostolate in apparent isolation from the rest of the Catholic world. We will briefly visit the Mevlana Museum, with the tomb of Rumi (or Mevlana) the 13th-century founder of the “Whirling Dervishes,” which will give us a good opportunity to understand something of the diversity of spirituality and outlook in the heritage of Sufi Islam.Then we will drive to Pamukkale, about 250 miles, with a stop to see Pisidian Antioch, (the "other Antioch") an important site in the journeys of St. Paul and in early Christian history. We'll arive fairly late (around 8:00 pm) at the Lycus River Hotel in Pammukale for a two-night stay. (This is something of a resort area, and you'll be able to soak in natural hot springs before going to bed.)

Saturday, April 5—Pammukale, with visits to Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Aphrodisias

Although we will see many wonderful things today, there will not be a lot of travel, and the pace can be a bit more relaxed—a welcome change from the last few days!). We’ll first visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, and take about a half-hour’s hike to the very significant Martyrion (burial place) of St. Philip the Apostle. We’ll then go to Laodicea, one of the seven churches of he Book of Revelation, see the as-yet unexcavated mound of Colossae, followed by a trip to Aphrodisias. We'll have lunch at the rustic and entertaining Doga Restuarant. On the bus we’ll discuss the importance of this region in early Christian times. We’ll return to the hotel in time for a relaxed evening, perhaps including a Turkish bath for the adventuresome.

Sunday, April 6—Hierapolis (via Philadelphia and Sardis) to Izmir

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll board our bus and visit both ancient Philadelphia (present-day Alasehir) and Sardis. There’s not much of interest remaining at Philadelphia, another of the “Seven Churches of Revelation,” but since it’s on the way it’s worth a stop. (When I was there in 2005, there was a fascinating "graveyard" of old steam locomotives just outside town.) Sardis, by contrast, also one of the “Seven Churches,” has a lot to hold our interest for a couple of hours—the Temple of Artemis, and the beautifully restored Gymnasium and Synagogue. Then we will go to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) for Sunday evening Mass at the Church of St. Polycarp, and a relaxed evening, including perhaps a stroll along the Kordon Waterfront Park. We'll stay overnight at the Kaya Prestige Hotel.

Monday, April 7—Izmir to Kusadasi (and Patmos)

After breakfast, we’ll leave the hotel in Izmir early enough to arrive at Kusadasi in time to take a boat to the Island of Patmos, where St. John in exile wrote the Book of Revelation. This 3-hour sea voyage will also provide some welcome relaxation. At Patmos, we’ll visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, both UNESCO World-Heritage Sites. Upon return to Kusadasi, we will check into a hotel there in time for dinner, and a good night’s sleep.

Tuesday, April 8--Kusadasi (Ephesus)

We need to be prepared to leave the hotel at 7:30 am to arrive at Ephesus, by 8:00 am, when the site opens. This will be a very full day. Our tour wll include the famous excavations of the ancient city, including the Terrce Houses (and, we hope, the spectacular Cave of St. Paul), the “Double Church” of the Theotokos (“Mother of God”), where the Council of Ephesus was held in 431. Well have lunch at the the Arvalya Leather Center, followed by a visit to a candy factory store featuring "Turkish Delights" and many oher goodies. Then we’ll visit the Museum, which displays artifacts excavated from the ancient city’s ruins, and the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, built over his tomb. We’ll conclude the day with a visit to Mass at Mary’s House. with an opportunity to visit briefly with one of the nuns who staqffs the site, andAmerican. We’ll return to our hotel in Kusadasi for a dinner, and then to bed because tomorrow we also need to have an early start.

Wednesday, April 9--Kusadasi (via Pergamon) to Bursa

We need to be prepared to leave the hotel early for a very long drive. We'll arrive in Pergamon (Bergama) midmorning, and tour where we’ll tour the Acropolis on the mountain that overlooks the city. This is he site of theTemple of Zeus, described in the Book of Revelation as “the altar of Satan," the Temple of Trjan, and the theater with the world's greatest view. Then we'll visit the Asklepion (an ancient pagan center for healing) and the "Red Basilica,: ruins of an ancient temple and later Christian church. After lunch,and a brief stop at Akhisar (ancient Thyatira, another of the "Seven Churches of th eApocalypse") we'll go to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Turks in the 14th century, to spend the night at the Termal Kervansaray Hotel which has a 14th century Hammam (Turish bath).

Thursday, April 10--Bursa (via Nicea) to Istanbul

We will take an all-too-brief tour of highlights in Bursa, a very beautiful city. We’ll visit the Great Mosque, the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb (of Mehmet I), and have an opportunity to shop for fine silk goods at reasonable prices. Then we’ll drive to Iznik (ancient Nicea), which is often passed over by tours but is very significant in our Catholic Christian heritage. (On the way, we may have the opportunity to stop at a tiny village for a brief visit with someof our tour guide's relatives and a smal taste of country life in Turkey.) Two major ecumenical councils were held in Nicea: the first in 325, which defined our faith in the divinity of Christ against Arianism, and the seventh in 787, which upheld the veneration of images against iconoclasm. We will spend the better part of the day exploring these and some other sites, as well as have a nice lunch by the shore of its beautiful lake. Later in the afternoon, we will return to Istanbul, crossing the Bosporus Bridge from Asia to Europe, where we will stay two nights, again at the Madison Hotel.

Firday, April 11--Istanbul revisited

This will be a fairly relaxed last day of the official Pilgrimage, and I assure you that you will relish this final opportunity to explore Istanbul again. We will take a leisurely cruise up the Bosporus in the morning, and then have plenty of time for shopping in the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest buildings under one roof!, There may be other opportunities to explore as well, and in the late afternoon we will celebrate the final Mass of the pilgrimage. Then a festive dinner overlooking the water, and a good night’s sleep to prepare for tomorrow’s journey home.

Wednesday, April 25.

The pilgrimage concludes today with your travel back home . . . or wherever else you may choose if you want to prolong the trip. On the return trip to Los Angeles, you pick up the time you lost coming over. If you make plans to leave early in the day, you can arrive back home later the same day because of the ten-hour time difference.

However, if you can, you may want to stay a few more days for an optional extension of the program (details to be announced), time on your own, or go somewhere else on your way back home. For those who can stay a bit longer, our tour guide, Aydin Eroglu, has promised to spend this day with those who remain, showing us some places near and dear to his own heart.

(Note that the above itinerary is based on our experience of the past two years and very careful and detailed planning with both our guide and OrionTours. Although it is as firm as we can make it this far in advance, for a variety of reasons, certain elements may be subject to change.)