6 NIGHTS \ 7 DAYS SEVEN CHURCHES TOUR IN TURKEY

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL.
Overnight at: https://www.titanic.com.tr/tr/titanic-city-taksim or similar 4 stars hotel for 2 nights
on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2- 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.

DAY 3 – 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 https://izmirpalas.com.tr/en/anasayfa/ or similar hotel for 1 night on bed and
breakfast basis.

DAY 4 – 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 livest, 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: https://www.venushotel.net/index.asp or similar hotel for 1 night on bed and
breakfast basis.

DAY 5 – 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 axcavations 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: https://www.ilaydaavantgarde.com/ or similar hotel for 2 nights on bed and
breakfast basis

DAY 6 – 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.

DAY 7- 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.