Pilgrimage May 20 to 31, 2027 (12 days / 10 nights)
*GUIDED GROUP TOUR IN ENGLISH*
Experience a Christian group pilgrimage in Turkey, in collaboration with Novalis / Living with Christ, led by Fr. Joseph de Viveiros, CR, and Emilie Cabouat.
Price range: 5,379.00$ through 7,505.00$
CULTURAL TRIPS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGES
SPIRITUAL WALK
EASY
Explore the biblical lands of Turkey, the cradle of the Church. Follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest witnesses to the Christian faith through the places that shaped his life and mission. From Tarsus to Ephesus, from Antioch in Pisidia to Istanbul, discover exceptional archaeological sites while deepening your understanding of St. Paul’s writings and legacy. Through prayer, celebrations, and moments of reflection, let yourself be inspired by his boldness, his trust in God, and his missionary zeal. Also, connect with the legacy of the early Christian communities that welcomed and passed on his message, and experience a pilgrimage where culture, history, and faith come together to illuminate your own path.
*Trip organized in partnership with Novalis / Living with Christ.
Highlights
Extras
Born in São Miguel, Azores and grew up in North Bay, ON. He has been a Resurrectionist since 1986 (presently serving at the Vicar-Provincial) and a priest since 1992. He holds several degrees in Theology. He has been a pastor, math teacher, consultant with the Archdiocese of Toronto and Director of Liturgy for World Youth Day 2002. Currently, he is the Board Chaplain for the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic School Board, North Bay. Over the years, he has accompanied many groups to the Holy Land and in the footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey.
Emilie Cabouat is Communications Manager and Executive Assistant to the General Manager at Bayard Canada. French and Canadian, she lived in New York before settling in Montreal with her husband and their two children. Organized, curious, and open to the world, she enjoys learning, exploring, and meeting people from different backgrounds. A passionate traveler, reader, and culture enthusiast, she spent several months backpacking through Southeast Asia. Raised in the Catholic faith, she is deeply committed to Christian values and will accompany this pilgrimage with a spirit of sharing, attentive listening, and openness to others.
In the evening, depart Toronto for Istanbul to begin your pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul and the early Christians. Meal and overnight stay on board.
Arrival in Istanbul and welcome by your guide. Connecting flight to Kayseri, gateway to Cappadocia. Check in at the hotel and enjoy some time to rest before beginning your discovery of the lands where the first Christian communities took root. Dinner included. Overnight in Kayseri.
Breakfast. Discover the spectacular landscapes of Cappadocia: Göreme and its rock-cut churches, Uçhisar, Paşabağı, Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley. These extraordinary formations, sculpted over time, create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. Lunch in a historic caravanserai. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Breakfast. Visit Çatal Höyük, one of the oldest known human settlements. Continue to Konya, ancient Iconium, where St. Paul proclaimed the Gospel. Lunch en route. Discover the Mevlana Museum and the heritage of the Whirling Dervishes. Mass at St. Paul Church. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Konya.
Breakfast. Travel to ancient Antioch of Pisidia, an important site from St. Paul’s first missionary journey. Visit the archaeological site and celebrate Mass. Lunch during the visit. Continue to Pamukkale, recalling the cities associated with the letters of St. Paul. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Breakfast. Visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, followed by the celebration of Mass at the site. Return to Pamukkale to discover its famous white travertine terraces and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. Lunch during the visit. Time for prayer at the Martyrium of St. Philip. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Breakfast. Discover Priene and its remarkable ancient urban planning. Lunch in Didyma, followed by a visit to the Temple of Apollo. Continue to Miletus, where St. Paul said farewell to the elders of Ephesus. Time for prayer at the site. Continue to Kusadasi and celebrate Mass at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Breakfast. Today is devoted to Ephesus, the great ancient city where St. Paul spent more than two years. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary and celebrate Mass. Lunch during the visit. Discover the major archaeological remains of Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John and the site associated with the ancient councils. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Breakfast. Transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Lunch in the city. Discover the great chapters in the history of Byzantium, Constantinople and the Ottoman Empire: the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Mass at a Catholic church in Istanbul, followed by a cruise on the Bosphorus. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Breakfast. Travel to Nicaea, the city of two renowned ecumenical councils. Discover Hagia Sophia, the ancient city walls, the Green Mosque and the Nilüfer Hatun Museum. Lunch during the day. Return to Istanbul. Mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, followed by a gathering and reflection on the Council of Chalcedon. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Breakfast. Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Visit Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, followed by the Walls of Theodosius and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, renowned for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. Lunch during the visit. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Breakfast. Mass at the Chaldean Church and meeting with the local community. Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight. Meals on board. Arrival in Montreal with treasured memories of this pilgrimage through the lands of St. Paul.
PRICES
Early bird discount*:
*100$ discount if you register before January 20, 2026.
Regular price:
**Subject to availability, limited quantities.
*Spiritours offers the possibility of pairing, but Spiritours cannot assume the additional costs for single occupancy if we are unable to pair you. You will be billed for the difference between 30 and 60 days prior to departure if Spiritours is unable to pair you.
* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on October 10, 2026.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Conditions for customers purchasing a package without international flights
REGISTRATION
Registration deadline: March 20, 2026
(60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It may be possible to register after this date, but a surcharge may apply.
To register: You can register on our website (see the top right of the trip webpage) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your $750 deposit. It is important to register as soon as possible as places are limited. Please attach a photocopy of your passport to your registration (international travel only).
Travel insurance
For travel insurance, contact us to find out your premium.
Nb of participants
Minimum 20 – Maximum 30
Required documentation
All Canadian travelers visiting Turkey must have a passport valid for at least 150 days from the date of entry. Tourist visa: not required for stays of 90 days or less within any 180-day period.
For more information, please contact
Eric Ramirez
(514) 374-7965, ext. 202
eric.ramirez@spiritours.com
What is the weather like in Turkey at this time of year?
In May, temperatures generally range from 10 °C to 23 °C in Istanbul and Cappadocia, while they can reach 25 °C to 27 °C in the Pamukkale and Kuşadası regions. Mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in Cappadocia.
What is the local currency, and what are the recommended payment methods?
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). Canadian and U.S. dollars can be exchanged locally at currency exchange offices. We recommend that you bring a few $CAD or $USD bills with you and exchange them for Turkish lira as needed.
Most Canadian ATM cards work in Turkey. Check with your bank before you leave. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and stores. However, we recommend that you always carry some Turkish lira in cash, especially for smaller shops.
The exchange rate for the Turkish lira is approximately 1 CAD = 35.1 TRY / 1 TRY = 0.0285 CAD (indicative rate as of September 4, 2026).
How much should I allocate to additional expenses?
We suggest a budget of approximately $250 to $400 per person to cover meals, drinks, bottled water, tips, and personal expenses (souvenirs, calling cards, drinks, postcards, optional activities).
SUGGESTED TIPS
In the case of exceptional service, you are free to give more… and conversely, in the case of poor service!
Is the trip guaranteed to depart? If not, will you receive a refund if Spiritours does not reach the minimum number of participants?
A trip is guaranteed to depart as soon as the minimum number of participants is reached. As soon as this condition is met, we promptly notify all travelers, and the trip status is also updated on our website.
If the minimum number of participants is not reached by the registration deadline, we will contact all affected travelers. In some cases, when our suppliers offer us the necessary flexibility, we may extend the registration period up to approximately 45 days before departure to maximize the chances of keeping the trip.
In the event of a trip cancellation due to insufficient registrations, all amounts paid will be refunded in full. Additionally, to thank you for your trust, Spiritours will offer you a $50 travel credit applicable to a future trip.
We encourage you to register before the deadline. Early registration directly helps confirm trip departures and allows our team to finalize reservations with our partners more quickly.
Finally, rest assured: on average, more than 90% of the trips organized by Spiritours take place as planned, which attests to the popularity of our trips and our solid experience in organizing group travel.
Travel insurance is undoubtedly a PEACE OF MIND that allows you to live and fully enjoy your trip. It allows you to deal with the unexpected without finding yourself with a financial burden. Travel insurance allows you to travel in complete SAFETY. Check with your agent for more information, or click below to shop for an individual insurance premium with Blue Cross.
Avant de partir, n’oubliez pas de vérifier votre panier d’achats, réserver le voyage de ressourcement de vos rêves aujourd’hui avant qu’il n’y ait plus de place. / Before you leave, don't forget to check your shopping cart, book your dream retreat today before it sells out.
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