[email protected] 800-206-TOUR (8687)   mon - fri 9am - 5pm EST   YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: † Round Trip Air from New York † Fuel Surcharges and Airport Taxes † 7 nights at Centrally located 4 Star hotel as follows (or similar):      ~ 5 nights: Oct 09-14: Hotel Double Tree by Hilton, Kusadasi      ~ 2 nights: Oct 14-16: Hotel Doubletree Old City, Istanbul † Airport Transfers by private motor coach † Deluxe A/C motor coach throughout (group basis) † Mass daily & Spiritual Activities † Breakfast & Dinner Daily † Lunch on October 11th † Sightseeing/Entrance fees to sites marked on the itinerary † Luggage Handling (1 normal size bag) † Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents   Not Included: Lunches, Beverages, Travel Insurance (www.206tours.com/insurance), Extended Cancellation Protection Plan @ $299 (www.206tours.com/cancellationprotection), Tips to your guide & driver, Items of personal nature.

I hope you will join us for this very special pilgrimage with Archbishop Bernardini, who spent over 47 years in Turkey as a Franciscan Friar and as Archbishop to Smyrna, one of the first seven Churches established in the world, as written in the Book of Revelation of Saint John. We will have the opportunity to celebrate the commemoration of Mary, declared as Mother of God, (Council of Ephesus in 431) on the second Sunday of October. This is one of the most important times of the year to gather in Ephesus to honor Mary. Our pilgrimage will be the first of its kind, to highlight SERVANT OF GOD, Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey, (Sept. 1837-1915) a French Daughter of Charity, Foundress of Mary's House who was instrumental in the finding of the last dwelling place of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she preserved, protected and restored this holy place for pilgrims of all religions to pray to honor Mary. Some of Sister Marie's family members will be present while we are in Ephesus. We will also visit where Sister Marie lived in Smyrna (now Izmir) and pray at her remains where she rests. Her Cause of Beatification is bringing forth many testimonies of healings. We will also walk the footsteps of our early Church and pray in the exact places spoken of and recorded in the Bible. This will be a special time of grace for us all!  I pray you can join us!

Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:

Day 1, Thursday, Oct 8: Depart New York
Depart New York for your overnight flight to Istanbul. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2, Friday, Oct 9: Arrive in Izmir – Transfer to Kusadasi
Upon arrive in Izmir you will be transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi. We will make your way to the House of Virgin Mary’s cottage that includes the Cemetery where Sr. Marie rests (time permitting). After Mass at Mary’s House, we will have some time for prayer and reflections. Your dinner will be served at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 3, Saturday, Oct 10: Kusadasi – Port of Miletus - Kusadasi
This morning we visit the House of Virgin Mary; it is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the Shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. And then drive to Miletus, which was a port in ancient times situated at the mouth of the meander river. St. Paul visited Miletus in spring - possibly in ad 47, as he completed his third missionary journey. For Paul and his listeners, it was an emotional visit. Near the statues of lions that still guard the former harbor, he said good bye to his friends and to his work in Asia.). At the end of the tour return back to Kusadasi for dinner at hotel.

Day 4, Sunday, Oct 11: Kusadasi – House of Virgin Mary
Breakfast at hotel. We then continue on this very special day to the House of the Virgin Mary. We will have the opportunity to celebrate the commemoration of Mary, declared as Mother of God, (Council of Ephesus in 431) on the second Sunday of each October. This is one of the most important times of the year to gather in Ephesus to honor Mary. We will have a special lunch to celebrate, then Return to our hotel for Dinner and overnight.

Day 5, Monday, Oct 12: Kusadasi - Ephesus— Selcuk - Kusadasi
Today we drive to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, once the commercial center of the ancient world, where St. Paul spent some years. We will walk down the paved main street, past the amazing remains of the temples, houses, shops, latrines and market- places, the Library of Celsus and the enormous Theatre where the riot took place (Acts 19), and the St. Mary Church, where a Council of the Early Church was held. See where stood the Temple of Artemis of the Ephesians, the city’s patron god-dess, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Depart for the sightseeing in Selcuk. We will visit the Basilica of St. John whose later life and death are associated with Ephesus It was constructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. Continue to Isabey mosque, constructed in 1374–75 is one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art remaining from the Anatolia. Before going back to the hotel you will be taken to a Carpet weaving demonstration center” to learn about the art & culture of Anatolia. Turkish carpets carry a wide range of symbols. For many centuries, Anatolian women have been expressing their wishes, fears, interests, fidelity and love through the artistic medium of carpets. Lunch at local restaurant dinner at hotel.

Day 6, Tuesday, Oct 13: Kusadasi - Sirinice - Kusadasi
After breakfast our first visit will be to Ephesus (Selcuk) Archaeological museum. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excava-tion site that we had visited the day prior. Its best-known exhibit is the statue of Arte-mis retrieved from the temple of the goddess in Ephesus (the museum was closed in 2012 due to restoration works. Now they almost finish the restoration and it is an-nounced to re-open to the visitors at the end of 2014). Continue to the House of Vir-gin Mary. From here we drive to Sirince Village; this pretty old Orthodox village, 30 km from Kusadasi, was once called Cirkince ("ugly"). Indeed its habitants gave this name on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Lunch at local restaurant, dinner at hotel.

Day 7, Wednesday, Oct 14: Kusadasi – Izmir - Istanbul
Today we transfer to Izmir airport for our short flights to Istanbul. Upon arrive in Istanbul, you will proceed to visit the Church of St. Saviour in Chora. After St. So-phia, St. Saviour Chora is the most important Byzantine Church in the city. It was built in the 11th century AD. The walls are decorated with breathtaking 14th century AD frescoes and mosaics. The mosaics relate to the life story of Virgin Mary and the life of Christ. Next, you will drive to nearest pier and embark your private boat for an exciting cruise on the Bosphorus Sea. The cruise affords excellent sea views of the past palaces of the Ottomans, as well as many beautiful wooden yalis (houses) from the 19th and 20th centuries, old mansions and modern villas. You will also view the Beylerbeyi summer palace. Istanbul life evolves around the Bosphorus Sea and has done for centuries. Your lunch will be served at the roof top of a restaurant overlook-ing the Galata tower & Bridge as well as Golden Horn & the Bosphorus. After lunch, you will discover the Egyptian Bazaar; the second largest covered market in Istanbul. It was constructed in the 1660s as part of the Yeni Camii (New Mosque) complex. The name derives from the herbs, and spices imported from or through Egypt. It is still the best place to buy Turkish delight, dried fruit, exotic spices and herbs. Your dinner will be served at your hotel.

Day 8, Thursday, Oct 15: Istanbul
After breakfast you will depart to explore the unique beauties of the city. Your sight-seeing of Istanbul today will include a visit to the Topkapi Palace, home of the Otto-man Sultans with visits to the Treasury containing jewel encrusted thrones, the world's largest emerald and the famous Topkapi Dagger. The palace is located on the promontory between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This setting provides a magnificent view. As the imperial residence of the Sultan and his court, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. 4,000 people lived here. Visit the general exhibitions and the Treasury Section displaying the priceless pieces of jewelry that once belonged to the Ottoman Sultans. You will take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616, it is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance with its six minarets and dome of 109 feet. The mosque was a part of a complex also ıncluding, tombs, fountains, kitchens, and a bath. The blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque. Next, you will visit the St. Sophia, the Church of the Divine Wisdom. The architectural marvel of all time. It was built during Emperor Justinian reign (AD 537) and it remained the greatest Church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sul-tan Mehmet II who ordered to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque. In 1934, Atatürk proclaimed it a museum. Your lunch will be served in Ottoman cuisine restaurant, prepares the original foods by the recipe newly discovered at the libraries of the Topkapi Palace. Finally, the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of over 4,000 shops displaying everything from souvenirs in copper and onyx to precious jewelry, antiques and Ori-ental carpets. At the end of the day you will transfer back to your hotel. Your dinner will be served at your hotel.

Day 9, Friday, Oct 16: Istanbul – New York
Afer breakfast, you will depart to Istanbul International Airport for your flight back home or continue on to the Post Tour to Medjugorje.

Options:   Single Supplement / Solo Traveler $599 Post Tour to Medjugorje $1259 Post Tour to Medjugorje Single Supplement $249 Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (one-way) - pending availability upon request Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (round trip) - pending availability upon request First Class available upon request Children's discounts for children under 12 upon request              *All Upgrades & Options will be available to you after you press the  button above*

POST TOUR TO MEDJUGORJE:
Oct 16-28, 2015  -  $1,259 per person

Day 10, Friday, Oct 16: Depart Istanbul
Depart Istanbul for your flight.

Day 11, Saturday, Oct 17: Arrive Medjugorje
Early morning arrival in Europe where you will board your flight
to Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo. Upon arrival you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will then take you on the 2 1/2 hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Once there you will meet your fellow pilgrims. You will also be introduced to your host family in whose comfortable, yet modest inn you will be staying for the next seven nights. Enjoy a delicious dinner before retir-ing for the evening.

Days 12, Sunday, Oct 18 –Friday, Oct 23: Medjugorje
Experience the beauty and peace of this simple village. During your stay in Medjugorje you will have the opportunity to share faith with pilgrims from all over the world. Our local guide will accompany us throughout your stay.

Here are some of the activities you'll be sharing with our fellow pilgrims: Each morning at 10am we assemble at St. James Church for the English-language Mass (Feast days and Sundays English Mass is at Noon). Follow the path up Apparition Hill where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. Touch & pray before the cross that commemorates the spot where Mary 1st appeared to the visionaries.

Each evening at 6pm, you will join the villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary. The apparition takes place at 6:40pm, and then stay on for Croatian Mass. Don't miss on Saturdays Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and on Fridays Veneration of the Cross in the Church. Each evening during Croatian Mass, there is the Blessing of the Sick and blessing of the items you have with you.

You will have the opportunity to climb Krizevac Mountain, where in 1933 the villagers built a 30' high cross on the anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion. Visit and pray at "Blue Cross", which is a place of great healings and graces- a very special place at the base of Apparition Hill. You will also visit the community of Cenacolo.

Day 13, Saturday, Oct 24: Medjugorje - USA
After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you leave by motor coach for Dubrovnik Airport (Split or Sarajevo) for return flights home.

Additional Information & Travel Tips: 

What to Know Before You Go To Turkey

What to Know Before You Go To Medjugorje

Any Questions?  To register or for more information, please contact: Chris  tel: 800-206-TOUR (8687) or email: [email protected]

click here for a printable flyer

Office Use Only EVU100815

Mary Chora Church, Istanbul
Basilica of st. John, Ephesus, Turkey
POST TOUR:
Apparition Hill, Medjugorje

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