Trip Overview

Join Fr. Leonel Medeiros and Our Lady of Aparecida for an unforgettable pilgrimage through the land where Christianity first flourished. Journey to Istanbul, Nicaea, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus as we celebrate Mass, visit sacred sites, explore breathtaking landscapes, and deepen our faith together. This is a unique opportunity to experience the rich history of the early Church while enjoying the beauty and culture of Türkiye!

Please note the upcoming registration deadline of July 10, 2026.

What’s Included?

  • Professional English-speaking local Tour Escort
  • Airport/hotel transfers (if arriving/departing within designated window)
  • Transportation on private motorcoach
  • Transatlantic flights (if group flight is selected)
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Breakfast daily and dinners as specified in the itinerary
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Verso pilgrim kits and preparation/follow-up materials
  • Pack & Prep Meeting for all pilgrims to review itinerary, activities, logistical arrangements, and spiritual preparations

Itinerary

October 14, 2026
  • Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Istanbul
October 15, 2026
  • Arrive at Istanbul Airport and meet your tour escort
  • Transfer to the hotel
  • Celebrate an Opening Mass (location to be determined)
  • Welcome Dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Istanbul’s iconic skyline while sampling Turkish cuisine
  • Overnight in Istanbul

Accommodations: The Artisan Hotel Istanbul – McGallery Collection or similar
Meals Included: Dinner

October 16, 2026
  • Celebrate Mass (location to be confirmed)
  • Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Old City
    • Explore Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the most significant monuments in Christian history before continuing on to the nearby Blue Mosque and the ancient Hippodrome, once the social and sporting heart of Constantinople
    • Visit the Basilica Cistern before exploring the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries
    • In the afternoon, visit the Church of St Savior in Chora, renowned for its remarkable Byzantine mosaics and
      frescoes
  • Finish the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets
  • Free evening, with dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Istanbul

Accommodations: The Artisan Hotel Istanbul – McGallery Collection or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Hagia Sophia
October 17, 2026
  • After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion to Iznik, ancient Nicaea, an important center for early Christianity and the site of the First and Seventh Ecumenical Councils
  • Celebrate Mass (location to be confirmed)
  • Discover the town’s historical treasures, including the ancient city walls, the remains of the Roman theatre, and landmarks associated with the early Church
  • Return to Istanbul in the late afternoon
  • Free evening, with dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Istanbul

Accommodations: The Artisan Hotel Istanbul – McGallery Collection or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

October 18, 2026
  • Morning boat ride on the Bosphorus, the legendary waterway separating Europe and Asia. Admire the city’s skyline, lined with elegant Ottoman palaces, historic fortresses, and picturesque waterfront mansions
  • Afternoon flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia
    • Pending flight times, Mass will be arranged either in Istanbul or Cappadocia
  • Transfer to the hotel
    • If time allows, visit Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians sought shelter during periods of persecution
  • Dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Cappadocia

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Cappadocia – Nevsehir by IHG or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 19, 2026
  • Optional early morning hot air balloon experience (OPTIONAL ADD-ON)
    • Depart from the hotel one hour before sunrise for a thrilling hot air balloon experience over Cappadocia. Rise to an altitude of several hundred meters giving an amazing panoramic view as you drift through the valleys and
      canyons and around the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia’s iconic landscape
    • Flight time is approximately 50-60 minutes, with a traditional landing celebration party with champagne and flight certificates
  • After breakfast, begin your exploration of the Christian heritage of Cappadocia, where early Christians sought refuge from persecution and established thriving monastic communities
    • Begin the day at the Zelve Open-Air Museum, once home to one of the region’s largest monastic settlements
    • Continue on to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring some of Cappadocia’s finest rock-cut churches and remarkably preserved frescoes
    • Conclude the day with a visit to the Selime Monastery, one of the largest rock-cut monastic complexes in the region
  • Celebrate Mass (location to be confirmed)
  • Dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Cappadocia

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Cappadocia – Nevsehir by IHG or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 20, 2026
  • Transfer across the Anatolian Plateau to Pamukkale (approx. 410 miles / 660km)
  • Arrive at the hotel, which has a thermal pool to enjoy during the stay
  • Celebrate Mass (location to be confirmed)
  • Dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Pamukkale

Accommodations: Doga Termal Otel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 21, 2026
  • Morning visit to the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, known as the Cotton Castle, formed by mineral-rich
    thermal waters flowing down the hillside for thousands of years
  • Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, an important Greco-Roman spa center and one of the earliest Christian
    communities in the region
  • Continue on to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation
  • Celebrate Mass (location to be confirmed
  • Dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Pamukkale

Accommodations: Doga Termal Otel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 22, 2026
  • Transfer to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterrranean world
  • Celebrate Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final residence of Mary (pending confirmation)
  • Continue on to the Basilica of St John, built over the tomb of St John the Evangelist
  • Visit the archaeological sites of Ephesus
    • See the ruins of the city, including the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, and other notable sites
  • Dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Kusadisi

Accommodations: Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

ephesus
October 23, 2026
  • Fly from Izmir to Istanbul
    • Pending transfer times, Mass will be arranged in either Ephesus or Istanbul
  • Enjoy a Farewell Dinner featuring traditional Turkish cuisine, live music, and cultural performances inspired by Turkey’s rich traditions
  • Overnight in Istanbul

Accommodations: The Artisan Hotel Istanbul – McGallery Collection or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 24, 2026
  • Transfer to Istanbul Airport and depart on your journey home

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

Please Note: Pilgrims should reference their Pack & Prep Handout, distributed approximately one month prior to departure, for finalized accommodation details.

Pricing

Package Cost
$5,487

Trip Savings

Land-only Savings (no Transatlantic flights included; internal flights included)
- $811 / person

Optional Add-ons

Single Room Supplement
+ $1,199 / person
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Experience
+ $349 / person
Travel Protection
Quote provided after registration

Pricing listed per person in double rooms and does not include airfare. The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited. Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims. Final pricing may adjust based any significant changes in currency exchange rates.

If pilgrims traveling by themselves are unable to be matched with a roommate, the single room supplement may apply. See Additional Information section below for details.

*Travel protection is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

 

Flights

There is an optional group flight available for this pilgrimage. Details are below. Pilgrims may also arrange their own airfare based on the designated arrival/departure times provided. Internal flights will be arranged for each pilgrim regardless of group flight status.

Please note: All group flight tickets are roundtrip airfare. Pilgrims must fly on both the outbound and return flights with the group. If a pilgrim does not fly on the outbound flight, the airline will cancel their reservation on all flights without refund.

Transatlantic Group Flight - October 14, 2026

  • Turkish Airlines Flight #004
    • Depart JFK at 12.50pm; Arrive at IST (next day) at 5.30am
  • Turkish Airlines Flight #2016
    • Depart IST at 1.00pm; Arrive at Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) at 2.25pm




October 18, 2026

  • Turkish Airlines Flight #2016
    • Depart Istanbul Airport (IST) at 1.00pm
    • Arrive at Erkilet International Airport (ASR) at 2.25pm

October 23, 2026

  • Turkish Airlines Flight #2313
    • Depart İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) at 10.40am
    • Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) at 12.00pm

Transatlantic Group Flight - October 24, 2026

  • Turkish Airlines Flight #003
  • Depart IST at 7.20am; Arrive at JFK at 10.55am

More Details

  • Transatlantic flights (if group flight is not selected)
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (included if group is 30+ pilgrims)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at all meals except for Welcome and Farewell dinners
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

Verso Ministries will administer registration and payment collection from individual pilgrims. Registration can be done directly on the Verso Ministries website whereby pilgrims can make their initial $500 deposit using a debit/credit card. All following payments would be accepted via check, money order, or debit/credit card. Customizable payment plans can be discussed depending on the needs of your group. Suggested payment plan:

#1 Individual Deposit: $500 per person, upon individual registration
#2 Individual Final Deposit: July 10, 2026, final balance due

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be made in writing (email or letter) to Verso Ministries. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims. Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to
departure unless otherwise noted. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

Important Information for Pilgrims Seeking to be Matched With A Roommate

  1. Pilgrims who register by themselves can indicate in their Pilgrim Portal that they would like to be matched with a roommate. Verso Ministries will make every effort to accommodate that request, however, cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
  2. If, by 90 days prior to departure, Verso has not been able to match a solo pilgrim with a roommate, the single room supplement will be applied to the pilgrim’s invoice and due for payment.
  3. If Verso is able to match a pilgrim with a roommate after they have paid the single room supplement, the pilgrim will be refunded the extra charge.

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can I contact for more information?

Our team is eager to help and is available 9am-5pm EST by phone at 574-383-9396 or by email at hello@versoministries.com
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What is my Pilgrim Portal?

Your Pilgrim Portal is how you will securely share the information we need for your trip. We collect all this information through your “tasks” in your Pilgrim Portal. After booking, you will receive access to your portal and can log in at the link at the top of this page.
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How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
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Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

Pilgrims stand outside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

The Most Inspiring Catholic Pilgrimage Sites You Should Visit

5 Tips for Packing Light

Planning maps for a Catholic pilgrimage tour

A New Way to Experience Catholic Pilgrimage Tours

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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