Duke Travels invites you on a customized journey to explore western Türkiye with Edgardo Colón-Emeric, Dean of Duke Divinity School, and Warren Smith, Professor of Historical Theology. With its ancient ruins, stunning landscapes, and dramatic Turquoise Coast, Türkiye offers an unparalleled small group experience. This 11-day journey begins with four nights in Istanbul (ancient Constantinople), a remarkable historic city that spans two continents. Visit many extraordinary sites in this city that was capital of the Byzantine Empire for 1,000 years and then capital of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. Celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council in Nicaea in A.D. 325, which was attended by 300 bishops and resulted in the first Nicene Creed, the defining statement of belief of mainstream Christianity. Visit ancient Nicaea, today’s Iznik, which is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Iznik before flying to the Cappadocia region in central Türkiye, where early Christian settlers carved chapels, churches, and dwellings into the soft rock that was formed, over time, from volcanic ash. End your adventure in Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and visit Ephesus, one of the seven churches of Asia to which the Revelation of John was addressed. An optional 5-day post-tour extension to the Greek Islands of Samos, Patmos, and Kos is available to visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and its Ecclesiastical Museum.