8 Days Istanbul & Western Turkey Tour

The Seven Churches of the Revelation:

Smyrna	Revelation	: 2:8-11
Pergamon	Revelation	: 2:12-17
Thyatira	Revelation	: 2:18-29 Acts 16:14
Sardes	Revelation	: 3:1-6
Philadelphia	Revelation	: 3:7-13
Laodicea	Revelation	: 3:14-22
Ephesus	Revelation	: 1:11:2:1-7 Acts 18:19-28:19

 

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Day 1 - Depart USA to Istanbul

Day 2 - Istanbul

Arrive at the Ataturk International Airport to be met and assisted by our representative. Meet your tour guide and bus driver. Morning visit to the Topkapi Palace - the former imperial residence of the Ottoman Empire with its large collection of porcelain and silverware, unique pieces of jewellery like the 'spoonmakers diamond', the Hippodrome Square - the former center of sports and political activities, the fountain of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Blue Mosque - so called because of its stunning color of the tiles and the frescoes. Then we visit the Haghia Sophia -the church of the Divine Wisdom- which was changed into a mosque and later to a museum. After, we will have free time for shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Overnight: Istanbul

Day 3 - Istanbul- Izmir
Take a short flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir airport. Meet and transfer to hotel. Visit the Church of St. Polycarp which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11). Then visit Alexander the Great’s Velvet Castle, overlooking the Bay of Izmir. Overnight: Izmir.
 
Day 4 - Izmir- Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Visit Pergamum (Pergamon Revelation 2:12-17), the Acropolis and the Asclepion, then drive to Akhisar to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira (Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29 Acts 16:14). Overnight: Izmir.

Day 5 - Izmir - Sardes - Philadelphia- Pamukkale
Drive to Sardes (Sardes Revelation 3:1-6), ancient capital of the Lydian’s and visit the Church of Sardis. Continue to Alasehir where the ancient Philadelphia Church is located (Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13). Walk the streets of Philadelphia, then proceed to Pamukkale, the white Cotton Castle with its lime cascades of the Roman spa. See the ancient city of Hierapolis. The Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle is here. Overnight: Pamukkale.
 
Day 6 - Pamukkale - Laodicea - Aphrodisias - Kusadasi
Morning visit to Eskihisar, the ancient Laodicea (Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22), then drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love, see the well preserved Stadium, The Temple of Aphrodite, The Odeon, The Theater, Agora and Hadrian's Bath. Overnight: Kusadasi.

Day 7 - Kusadasi - Ephesus
Full day visit to the unforgettable remains of Ephesus (Ephesus Revelation 1:11:2:1-7 Acts 18:19-28:19), the House of Virgin Mary, The Archeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John. Overnight: Kusadasi.
 
Day 8 - Kusadasi - Izmir - Istanbul - U.S.A
Transfer to Izmir International airport and fly back to Istanbul. Continue with transatlantic flight to U.S.A