Turkey Biblical Tour (Private)

Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   transfer from airport to your hotel, overnight stay

Day 2: Istanbul Old City tour

1. Istanbul
   45m
   You will start the tour from the Byzantine Hippodrome that was used for public entertainments organised by emperors.
2. Blue Mosque
   40m
   Also known under its official name, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is famous for its handmade, blue ceramic tiles that decorate its interior.
3. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h 30m
   The Church of Holy Wisdom is one of the most important sites in the world when it comes to history of art and architecture. It used to be the biggest orthodox church in the world, and nowdays it is a musem/mosque, one of the most visited sites in Turkey.
4. TopkapI Palace
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   This former imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans is one of the largest palaces in the world, and a very good example of Ottoman art and architecture.
5. Grand Bazaar
   1h
   At the end of the tour you will have chance to walk and shop in the oldest and the largest covered market place in the world with more than 4000 shops.
   After the tour return to hotel and overnight stay

Day 3: Istanbul tour

1. Bosphorus Strait
   2h · Admission ticket included
   During a 2 hour Bosphorous boat trip you will see the bridges of Istanbul, Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Anadolu and Rumeli fortresses and beautiful houses around the strait).
2. Misir Carsisi
   1h
   This covered market area is the 17 century structure that housed the majority of the city’s spice trade.
   After the tour transfer to airport to fly to Izmir; arrival in Izmir, transfer from airport to a hotel in Kusadasi; overnight stay in Kusadası

Day 4: Troy - Alexander Troas - Assos

1. Troy (Truva)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast you will have short drive and you will visit Homer’s legendary Troy and see the replica of the wooden horse.
2. Alexandria Troas Antik Kenti
   30m · Admission ticket included
   After short drive you will reach Alexandria Troas; St. Paul sailed to Greece from here ( Acts 16:8.); this is also the place where he raised Eutychus from the dead ( Acts 20:5-12).
3. Assos
   1h
   Our final stop during this tour is Assos; on the last leg of his third missionary journey, Paul walked from Alexandria Troas to Assos ( Acts 20:5-6,13-14) where he met his companions, who had gone ahead of him by sea.

Day 5: Pergamon - Akhisar (Thyatira) - Izmir (Smyrna)

1. Pergamon Ancient City
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Departure from Assos and 3 hours driving to Pergamon; in Pergamon you will see the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Serapis Temple, Heroon, Sanctuary of Athena, Library of Pergamon, Temple of Trajan, Theatre, Zeus Altar, Red Coart. Pergamon is the third of the ‘Seven Churches of Asia’ (Rev.1:11). This was the place of Satan’s throne ( Rev. 2:13).
2. Akhisar
   45m
   Our second stop on this tour is Thyatira; it was one of the Seven Churches ( Revelation 1:11;2:18-28) Lydia, the seller of purple, who sold her dyes in Philippi was from this city, (Acts 16:14).
3. Izmir
   1h
   Then we will drive to Smyrna (Izmir) the third largest city of Turkey. It was the second city to receive a letter from the Apostle John in the book of Revelation (Acts 19:10). The letter in Revelation (2:8-11) is filled with the affection and joy that comes from triumph over hardship and persecution.

Day 6: Sardis - Philedelphia ( Alasehir) - Hierapolis ( Pamukkale)

1. Sardis (Sardes)
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast we will drive to Sardis. Here was one of the seven Asiatic Churches (Revelation 3:1-6). Sardis was the capital city of ancient Lydia. See the early church remaining in Sardis (Sardis Gymnasium, Jewish Synagogue, Diana Temple).
2. Alasehir
   30m
   Then proceed to Philadelphia (Alasehir). Philadelphia (brotherly love) is not so ancient as many other cities of Asia Minor, it was founded after 189 BC. It was the seat of the ‘Seven Churches’ (Revelation 3:7-12).
3. Pamukkale
   2h
   Pamukkale is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. It neighbors Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km. The Antique Pool is famous for its submerged Roman columns.
   We will also visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Necropolis and Apostle Philip’s tomb.

Day 7: Laodicea - Collosae

1. Laodicea
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast we will have a short drive to Laodicea ( Lukewarm Church) . The final letter of the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea.
   We visit the Christian Ruins as well as the Statue of Emperor Augustus, Aquaduct, Stadium, Ephesian Gate.
2. 30m
   Then drive to the unexcavated city of Colossae (Honaz, Ancient metropolis of Phrygia, the recipient of Paul’s letter). The book of Colossians was addressed to the Church here (Col 1:2) and that Philemon lived in this city.
   After the tour 3 hours driving to Kusadasi and overnight stay.

Day 8: Ephesus Tour

1. Ephesus Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast we will drive to Ephesus; St. Paul visited Ephesus briefly during his second missionary journey and stayed there more than three years. Both Paul and Apostle John wrote letters to the Ephesians.
   We also visit Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
2. The House of the Virgin Mary
   45m · Admission ticket included
   We will visit the house, where it is believed Mary (mother of Jesus) lived her last years.
3. Basilica of St. John
   45m · Admission ticket included
   The Basilica of St. John was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
   After the tour you will be transfered to Izmir airport for your Cappadocia Flight.

Day 9: North Cappadocia Tour

1. Goreme Panorama
   20m
   Esentepe Panoramic viewpoint gives an amazing landscape view over the town of Goreme in Cappadocia.
2. Goreme Open Air Museum
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Goreme Open Air Museum is a rocky settlement area that has hosted an extreme monastery life between 4th to 13th centuries D.C.. Being UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, the Goreme Open Air Museum is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia.
3. Pasabag Vadisi
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Monks Valley (Paşabağ Vadisi) in Cappadocia is famous for its perfect fairy chimneys, sculpted from ancient lava, ash, and basalt. Often known as Pasabag, Monks Valley is famous for its opportunities to hike among the boulders and into the hills that ring the area.
4. Avanos
   1h
   The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia.
   The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town.
   You can visit one of the pottery workshops in the area.
5. Cappadocia Cave Dwellings
   30m
   Devrent Valley in Cappadocia (also known as Imaginary Valley) is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.

Day 10: South Cappadocia Tour.

1. Kaymakli Underground City
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Buried beneath the surface of Cappadocia are a number of stunning underground cities built in ancient times to protect the local population from marauding armies and roving bands of invaders, but the Kaymaklı Underground City dwarfs them all with its sprawling layout.
   Kaymaklı Underground City contained eight floors of subterranean defense, but currently only four of the floors are open to the public.
2. Red Valley
   30m · Admission ticket included
   interesting for walking, as you can see many vineyards and gardens throughout the valley
3. Cavusin
   45m
   Cavusin old Greek village in Cappadocia Turkey has a 5th century church of Saint John, and a marvelous view into the Rose and Red Valleys.
4. Pigeon Valley
   30m
   Guvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley) earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff.
5. Love Valley
   45m
   Out-of-the-way destination with scenic sunset views & unique tower-shaped rock formations.
   After the tour you will be transferd to Kayseri airport for your Istanbul flight.

Pickup details

We will meet you in hotel lobby or at the airport

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Children must be accompanied by an adult