DAY 1:
Arrival and free leisure day, followed by a welcome dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.
You will be met by your guide at the Istanbul International Airport (IST) and transferred to your hotel. After checking into your hotel, you will have some time to relax and explore. Tonight, we will have a welcome dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2:
Full day tour. Sites observed: Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for your full-day tour of Old City Istanbul. Following a short drive across the Galata Bridge, we will drop off at the heart of the old city, walk the historic streets of Istanbul.
First, we will visit the Hippodrome; the central square that was once used as a horse racing arena during the Roman and Byzantine times.
Next, we will visit Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of Byzantine architecture built by Justinian, the once biggest dome in the world, with its grand pillars from Ephesus. Afterwards, the tour will continue with the Blue Mosque (Svultanahmet Camii), famous with its blue Iznik porcelain tiles and unique with 6 minarets.
The day will continue with a visit to the Topkapi Palace, a huge walled complex hugging the Bosporus, the former palace of the Ottoman Sultans that is now a museum with an extraordinary collection of Chinese porcelain, art, artifacts and jewels including the Topkapi Diamond, and relics from the Prophet Mohammed.
Following lunch (Not Included), we will head towards the Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered market place in the world with more than 4,000 shops in the labyrinth of streets. Enjoy the colorful array of shops that offer an endless selection of goods that includes jewelry, fabrics, spices and local handicrafts. After all the visits, you will be transferred to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 3:
Coach ride and full day tour. Sites observed: Smyrna, Pergamon, Asclepion. Overnight in Izmir.
Early in the morning, we will transfer you from your hotel to catch the morning flight to Izmir Airport.
Upon arrival to Izmir, we first travel north to Pergamon (Pergamum). We will see the famed library, the terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, and the Altar of Zeus. This altar was hence mentioned in the Bible, referred to as “the throne of Satan”, but the city was praised for its martyrdom and perseverance, all the while those who held false teachings were criticized. (Rev. 2:12-17)
Asclepion (also spelled Asclepium), the birthplace of Galen, was a center of medicine in the ancient world; the teachings of which have dominated Europe from 2nd Century AD up until Renaissance.
After returning to Izmir, we will tour the city of ancient Smyrna, the second of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Smyrna’s message speaks of false Jews and impending persecution, but encourages perseverance which will be rewarded. (Rev. 2:8-11) After the tours, we will check-in at our hotel and overnight stay in Izmir. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4:
Coach ride and full day tour. Sites observed: Sardis, Philadelphia. Overnight in Pamukkale.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will move out to Thyatira, also known as the “adulterous church” (Rev. 1:11, 2: 18-29), followed by Sardis, the capital of the ancient state of Lydia, also known as the “dead church” (Rev. 3:1-6).
The most important architectural works that were discovered in Sardis were the ancient Roman Synagogue and the Gymnasium.
From there, we will move onto Philadelphia, praised for having little strength but still persevering, making it the “faithful church”. (Rev. 3:7-13) After the tour, we will drive towards Pamukkale and check-in at our hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5:
Coach ride and full day tour. Sites observed: Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi.
After breakfast at the hotel, we move out to visit Pamukkale, which means cotton castle, has been formed over time by the natural hot springs, rich in calcium and carbonate, that flow down the slope. We will also visit the ancient Roman Health Spa of Hierapolis, made most famous for it is thermal springs, theatre, Agora and the Necropolis.
Afterwards, we move onto Laodicea, the “lukewarm” church of Laodicea is sharply criticized for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs, and that “Its wealth hides its spiritual poverty”. (Rev. 3:14-20)
From there, we will move onto one of the world’s finest examples of an ancient classical city, Ephesus, which was once the most important and prominent city in Asia Minor, predating even Constantinople. It housed the Temple of Artemis (Diana), the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and also the House of Virgin Mary, probably where She spent the latter years of Her life. The city is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, receiving praise for its perseverance, but criticism for forsaking its “first love”. (Rev. 2:1-7) After the tour, we will return to Kusadasi. Overnight stay in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6:
Transfer to Izmir airport for homebound departure.
We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning after your breakfast at the hotel. You will then be transferred to the Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, from where you will catch your connecting homebound flight. (Breakfast)
