6 NIGHTS \ 7 DAYS SEVEN CHURCHES TOUR IN TURKEY

ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL

Overnight at  Titanic City Taksim or similar 4 stars hotel for 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis.

PRIVATE BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN RELICS

In the morning sightseeing tour in the old city of Constantine, Istanbul starts with Hippodrome Square where chariot races were once held in Roman Age and today one can see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus, Serpentine Column from Delphi and the marvelous Underground Cistern built in order to solve water supply problem nearby. Followed by a visit to the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture St. Sophia operates as mosque today. The splendor of the interior decoration, the massiveness of its architectural proportions being unusual for a church and the most important of all, the height of its central dome has amazed everyone since it was first constructed. Then only a short walk away, Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is the only mosque with six minarets in Istanbul. Called as blue mosque by foreigners because of the dominant color of more than 20.000 Iznik tiles decorating the spacious interior The Mosque is regarded as the peak achievement of Ottoman architecture. The highlights of the afternoon are a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace which is the only palace remaining from the Ottomans reflecting the splendor of the once mighty empire. End the day with a visit to the incredible Grand Bazaar.

MORNING FLIGHT TO IZMIR AND TOUR OF SMYRNA & PERGAMON

Private airport transfer to your Izmir flight.
Turkish Airlines, Istanbul (IST) to Izmir (ADB): 08:00 – 09:00 am

Welcome to Izmir Airport and depart for the visit of ancient Smyrna; poor and persecuted, the church at Smyrna suffered amidst prosperity for its refusal to worship the Roman Emperor. This proved to be the last stronghold of Christianity in Asia Minor. Home of the great second century Bishop Polycarp who was burned alive at the age of eightysix. Continue to Pergamum; a most memorable experience will be Pergamum, with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “where Satan’s seat is”, a reference to the altar of Zeus, where we pause for reflection on the fulfillment of Scripture. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk through the Asclepion, the famous medical center of antiquity.

Overnight at Izmir Palas or similar hotel for 1 night on bed and breakfast basis.

SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA AND OVERNIGHT IN PAMUKKALE

Depart for the visit of Thyatira; was once a busy trading center and famous in dyeing of purple clothes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). Travel to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou lives, and art dead”(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. You will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue. Visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev.3: 12) Today, not much is left to mark the spot. You will see an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Continue to Pamukkale. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and Unesco protected white terraces.

Overnight at Venus Hotel or similar hotel for 1 night on bed and breakfast basis.

PRIVATE LAODICEA AND PAMUKKALE TOUR & DRIVE TO EPHESUS

After the breakfast at the hotel, depart for Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, (Rev. 3: 14-22) were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”. Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets and a chance to witness the newest excavations in Laodicea.

Pamukkale; with the other name ‘’The Cotton Castle’’ One of the natural wonders of Turkey; the thermal spa of Pamukkale has abundant supplies of remarkable hot spring waters laden with calcareous salts. It is claimed to benefit heart and circulation complaints, as well as digestive disorders and rheumatic and kidney diseases. Nobody can dispute its excellent stress-relieving properties: a half-hour wallow will certainly relax you. Hierapolis; Walk around the ancient city, the monuments and the thermal baths. See the architectural genius of the theatre, the magnificently well preserved Necropolis and the worldwide famous Devil’s Hole. End of the tour drive to Ephesus.

Overnight at Ilyada Avantgarde Hotel or similar hotel for 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis.

PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. The St. Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief – during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21). His second visit lasted about three years – during his third missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke’s account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35. The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators.

PRIVATE TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT BACK HOME VIA ISTANBUL

Turkish Airlines, Izmir (ADB) to Istanbul (IST): 10:30 – 11:45 am
End of the services.