Description of each day
DAY 1 Arrival Istanbul Airport
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative who will assist you with your transfer to the Armada Hotel, located in the historic Old City of Istanbul.
Once checked in, you can settle into your room. The evening will conclude with a delightful dinner at the hotel, where you can relax. Overnight stay at the Armada Hotel. (D)
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative who will assist you with your transfer to the Armada Hotel, located in the historic Old City of Istanbul.
Once checked in, you can settle into your room. The evening will conclude with a delightful dinner at the hotel, where you can relax. Overnight stay at the Armada Hotel. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul
Begin the day with a peaceful 25-minute meditation at 7:00 am, followed by breakfast at 7:45 am. At 9:00 am, attend a presentation before embarking on a morning exploration of Istanbul. Visit the iconic Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Emperor Justinian's sacred architecture and the nearby Hagia Eirene, the city’s first church, founded by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD. Explore the Underground Basilica and the historic Hippodrome. Conclude the day with a Eucharist at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul. (B,D)
Begin the day with a peaceful 25-minute meditation at 7:00 am, followed by breakfast at 7:45 am. At 9:00 am, attend a presentation before embarking on a morning exploration of Istanbul. Visit the iconic Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Emperor Justinian's sacred architecture and the nearby Hagia Eirene, the city’s first church, founded by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD. Explore the Underground Basilica and the historic Hippodrome. Conclude the day with a Eucharist at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 3 Istanbul
The day begins with the same morning and evening routine as yesterday: meditation, breakfast and a presentation. Explore Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque and the historic Topkapi Palace. Visit the Archaeological Museum, home to extraordinary artefacts from across Turkey, including historically significant items like the chain that blocked the Golden Horn and the Temple Inscription from Jerusalem. Conclude with a visit to the Atik Valide Mosque, Sinan’s final major work. Finish the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul. (B,D)
The day begins with the same morning and evening routine as yesterday: meditation, breakfast and a presentation. Explore Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque and the historic Topkapi Palace. Visit the Archaeological Museum, home to extraordinary artefacts from across Turkey, including historically significant items like the chain that blocked the Golden Horn and the Temple Inscription from Jerusalem. Conclude with a visit to the Atik Valide Mosque, Sinan’s final major work. Finish the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 4: Istanbul - Chalcedon - Nicomedia - Iznik
Follow the usual morning and evening routine, then travel to Chalcedon (modern Kadikoy), site of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451 AD. Explore the Haydarpasa excavations and, if available, St. Euphemia Church. Proceed to Nicomedia (modern İzmit), once the senior capital of the Roman Empire. Visit the archaeological museum, Diocletian’s palace, Roman theatre and city walls. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Iznik. (B,D)
Follow the usual morning and evening routine, then travel to Chalcedon (modern Kadikoy), site of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451 AD. Explore the Haydarpasa excavations and, if available, St. Euphemia Church. Proceed to Nicomedia (modern İzmit), once the senior capital of the Roman Empire. Visit the archaeological museum, Diocletian’s palace, Roman theatre and city walls. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Iznik. (B,D)
DAY 5: Nicaea - Iznik
Start with meditation at 7:00 am and breakfast at 7:45 am. There will be no morning lecture today. Explore Iznik, ancient Nicaea, where the historic Council of Nicaea took place in 325 AD, resolving crucial theological debates. Visit significant sites including the Hagia Sophia Church, Constantine’s palace, the Roman theatre, city walls and gates, the archaeology museum, the original city street and the funerary obelisk (Beştaş). See the Underwater Basilica with a local archaeologist. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Limnades Hotel, Iznik. (B,D)
Start with meditation at 7:00 am and breakfast at 7:45 am. There will be no morning lecture today. Explore Iznik, ancient Nicaea, where the historic Council of Nicaea took place in 325 AD, resolving crucial theological debates. Visit significant sites including the Hagia Sophia Church, Constantine’s palace, the Roman theatre, city walls and gates, the archaeology museum, the original city street and the funerary obelisk (Beştaş). See the Underwater Basilica with a local archaeologist. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Limnades Hotel, Iznik. (B,D)
DAY 6: Nicaea - Iznik to Istanbul
Begin with meditation at 7:00 am, followed by breakfast at 7:45 am. There will be no morning lecture today. Travel back to Istanbul and visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul, with a Eucharist at 6:30 pm. (B,D)
Begin with meditation at 7:00 am, followed by breakfast at 7:45 am. There will be no morning lecture today. Travel back to Istanbul and visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Istanbul, with a Eucharist at 6:30 pm. (B,D)
DAY 7: Istanbul
Start the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Visit the Chora Church, recently restored and now a mosque, followed by a tour of the Theodosian Walls. Explore the Orthodox Church of the Zoodochos Pege. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
Start the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Visit the Chora Church, recently restored and now a mosque, followed by a tour of the Theodosian Walls. Explore the Orthodox Church of the Zoodochos Pege. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 8: Istanbul
Begin the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Explore the Suleymaniye Mosque and visit either The New Mosque (Yeni Cami) or Rustem Pasha Camii. Tour the Church of the Virgin Kyriotissa. Conclude with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
Begin the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Explore the Suleymaniye Mosque and visit either The New Mosque (Yeni Cami) or Rustem Pasha Camii. Tour the Church of the Virgin Kyriotissa. Conclude with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 9: Istanbul
Start with meditation and breakfast as usual. Explore the Grand Bazaar and experience a traditional Turkish bath. Take a scenic boat cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, offering panoramic views of Istanbul’s landmarks. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
Start with meditation and breakfast as usual. Explore the Grand Bazaar and experience a traditional Turkish bath. Take a scenic boat cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, offering panoramic views of Istanbul’s landmarks. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 10: Istanbul
Begin with meditation and breakfast as usual. Enjoy a free day to explore Istanbul at your leisure. Conclude with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
Begin with meditation and breakfast as usual. Enjoy a free day to explore Istanbul at your leisure. Conclude with dinner and an overnight stay at the Armada Hotel, Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 11: Departure for Dublin
Begin the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight back home.
Begin the day with meditation and breakfast as usual. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight back home.