10 Days Western Turkey with the Greek Island Patmos

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 Ataturk International Airport to be met and assisted by our representative. Welcome and transfer to the hotel in Istanbul. Overnight: Istanbul
 
Day 3 - Istanbul
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 4 - Istanbul

Full day Bosphorus & Asia visit. We first visit the Church of St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye Camii) which is located at the city walls and famous for its mosaics and frescoes and the Underground Cistern where water was stored for the city. Then visit the Egyptian Spice Market, and then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. Cross to the Asian side to visit the Camlica Hill and tour the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its magnificent gardens. Overnight: Istanbul

Day 5 - Istanbul - Troias - Troy - Canakkale

Morning departure to Canakkale. Drive along the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul. Cross the Dardanelles, where you see Gallipoli, the famous site of the bloody World War I battle and visit Troas, where Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia (Greece). Proceed to Troy to see the city made famous in Homer's poems, as the center of the Trojan War, including the legendary Trojan Horse.

Overnight: Canakkale
 
Day 6 - Canakkale - Thyatira - Pergamum - Asclepion - Smyrna
In the morning we visit Thyatira and see the short section of a colonnaded street, a Temple and walls of a church. We continue to the Hellenistic city of Pergamum and visit the Altar of Zeus, the Agora, the large theater built into the hillside, the Temple of Athena, the Temple to Trajan and Hadrian, the ruins of the famous library and more. Then we drive to the ancient medical center - Asclepion, we see the theater, the library, the Temple of Asclepius and, under the central square, a long tunnel. The famous physician and prolific writer, Galen, was born in Pergamum and practiced medicin here in the 2nd century AD. We drive to Alexander the Great’s Citadel on Pagos Hill overlooking Izmir and the ruins of the ancient Agora. Izmir (Smyrna) today is the third largest city in Turkey and one of the main centers for exports. In biblical times Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Overnight: Izmir

Day 7 - Sardis - Philadelphia - Pamukkale - Hierapolis
We leave Izmir to Sardis and visit the mainstreet of ancient Sardis with a number of shops once opened on that street. We see the Roman-era synagogue, the gymnasium and go on to the Temple of Artemis and a small church. King Croesus of Sardis minted, for the first time in history, pure silver and gold coins, which were guaranteed by the state. We continue to Philadelphia, which with Smyrna were the only two churches among the seven, that did not receive disapproval. The ruins of a Byzantine basilica with some 11th century frescoes are remaining from christianity. We drive to Pamukkale – the ‘cotton castle’ of white travertine terraces and visit ancient Hierapolis. Then you have some free time for the fantastic white limestone terraces. Overnight: Pamukkale
 
Day 8 - Laodicea - Ephesus - Kusadasi
In the morning we drive to Laodicea and visit the ruins of the ancient town, which was intersected by main trading routes running east-west and north-south: the ruins of theaters, a gymnasium, a stadium, several other public buildings and the newest findings of the archaeologists. We continue to Ephesus, dedicated to Artemis and the best preserved ancient city of Asia Minor with its majestetic theater, a marble – paved arcaded street ‘the Arcadian Way’, the lecture hall of Tyrannus, the Church of the Virgin Mary or the Double Church, the library of Celsus, the Temple to Hadrian, the Odeum, the little theater and more. Overnight: Kusadasi
 
Day 9 - Patmos Island

Daily Tour to Patmos (Island of the Revelation)
We take our private charter boat to Patmos in the morning. Upon arrival we visit the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist and the Cave of the Apocalypse. After lunch and free time for shopping we take our boat for the trip back to Turkey. Return to the hotel. Overnight: Kusadasi

Day 10 - Kusadasi - Izmir - Istanbul - U.S.A
Transfer to Izmir International airport and fly back to Istanbul. Continue with transatlantic flight to U.S.A