Arya tailor-made biblical tours

Asia Minor has served as a bridge between the East and the West and has a rich legacy in Christian history. After Israel, the lands of the present day Turkish Republic host the greatest number of the most frequented locations in the Old and New Testaments.

Saint Paul of Tarsus has accomplished most of his missionary work within the geographical boundaries of Turkey. Asia Minor has been the center of the growing and spreading of the Christian faith during the first millenium, and after 1000 AD the inhabitants of this land have gradually turned to the Muslim faith with the increasing number of Turkish settlements in Anatolia. During this period Islamic mystic philosophies such as those of the Bektashi and Mevlevi orders have flourished in Asia Minor as well.

Here are some possible combinations for expeditions to these locations and accompanying sights from these regions. If you contact us we can design a program best suited to your areas of interest and budget.

2000 years of Christianity

Departing from Ankara, this 14-day program takes you to the famous rock churches of Cappadocia, Tarsus the birthplace of St. Paul, Konya and centers such as Perge, Derbe, Lystra, Kolosse, Laodiceia, Milet, Ephesus, izmir (Simyrna), Pergamon, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardes in Western Anatolia, and the tour terminates in Istanbul. The program may be shortened to 10-12 days depending on your group's time limitations.

Churches in the mosaic of cultures in Istanbul

A stroll of 3 to 7 days walking the paths of the Christian faith in Istanbul with a combination of Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Syrian, Bulgarian and even Turkish Orthodox churches along with Roman Catholic and Protestant churches of the Levantines.

In addition, we will of course visit the essential spots of the city like the Topkapi Palace, Mosques, The Covered Bazar and a cruise on the Bosphorus.

7 Churches & Christian sites of West Anatolia

A week-long tour which covers the seven cities of Laodiceia, Milet, Ephesus, Izmir (Simyrna), Pergamon, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardes in St. John's letters.

Tur Abdin Monasteries & Christian sites of East Anatolia

A journey from Antiochien (Antakya) to Van in 7-10 days. Highlights are: Antiochien, one of the most essential Christian centers in the establishing centuries of Christianity, the Nemrud mountain, Tur Abdin, that is the area around Mardin-Midyat, Urfa, Diyarbakir and Van.

The Georgian Athos & along the Black Sea Coast

7 to 10 days in the North Eastern Turkey (Trabzon - Artvin - Erzurum) with hikes in a marvelous landscape. Mainly Georgian churches and monasteries are visited, but also examples of the Armenian and Greek Orthodox faith in the nearby surroundings can be added to the program.