5 Days Seven Churches of Turkey Tour: Revelation

Day 1: Flight from Istanbul to Izmir – Free time in Izmir

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   In the morning, you will be transferred to airport from your hotel for a flight to Izmir.
   
   Upon your arrival to Izmir, we will welcome and transfer you to hotel.
   
   You will spend the night in Izmir.

Day 2: Pergamum – Thyatira – Izmir

1. Pergamon Ancient City
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast we drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepion, famous medical center of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.
2. Akhisar
   2h
   Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.
3. Old Smyrna
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Before we check in at the hotel in Izmir, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. Smyrna is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis

1. Sardis (Sardes)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church.
2. The Temple of Artemis
   2h · Admission ticket included
   We visit the great Temple of Artemis and restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus.
3. St. Jean Kilisesi
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes.
4. Laodikeia Antik Kenti
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to visit to Laodicia. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.
5. Hierapolis Arkeoloji Muzesi
   1h · Admission ticket included
   We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13] we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.

Day 4: Ephesus – Kusadasi

1. Basilica of St. John
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Drive to Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him.
2. Ephesus Ancient City
   2h · Admission ticket included
   We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.
3. Bibliotheque de Celsus
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre.
4. The House of the Virgin Mary
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Visit to The House of Virgin Mary.
5. Temple of Hadrian
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Visit to Temple of Hadrian.
6. Baths of Varius
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Visit to Baths of Scholastica.
7. The Temple of Artemis
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Visit to The Temple of Diana (Artemis) of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city.
   
   We will drive to Kusadasi in the end.

Day 5: Izmir – Istanbul

1. Izmir
   Pass by
   Pick up from hotel and transfer to Izmir Airport for a flight to Istanbul.

Pickup details

We pick up all the travelers from their Hotel or apartments when they are in Istanbul.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness