| Destinations |
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Izmir ♦ Pergamon ♦ Thyatira ♦ Sardis ♦ Philedelphia ♦ Hierapolis ♦ Laodicea ♦ Ephesus ♦ Istanbul |
| Tour Style |
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Luxury-Private Tours |
| Duration |
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7 Days / 6 Nights |
| Accommodations |
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Charming Boutique & 5* Hotels |
| Meals included |
: |
Meals are included as shown in the itinerary |
| Leaders |
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Professionally-Licensed, English-SpeakingTourGuides |
| Transportation |
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Luxury, Private, Chauffeur-Driven Vehicles with A/C, DomesticFlights |
| Departures/Dates |
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Guaranteed Daily Departures, year-round |
DAY 1: IZMİR [No Meal]
Arrival to Izmir Airport at a desired hour and meet with your driver. Transfer to your hotel in Izmir. Overnight stay in Izmir.
DAY 2: IZMIR (SMYRNA) - PERGAMON [B]
Pick-up from your hotel by your guide and driver our first stop is the church at Smyrna. Today known as Izmir, Smyrna; was an Ancient Greek city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia.
Next we will continue to Pergamon. This ancient Greek city perched at the top of the hills overlooking the Aegean Sea offers one of the best panoramic views in Turkey. Once famous for the production of parchment, the library at Pergamum was believed to contain more than 200,000 volumes, which Mark Antony later gave to Cleopatra as a wedding present.
Pergamum; will be a most memorable experience with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as "where Satan's seat is", a reference to the altar of Zeus, Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk through the Asclepion, the famous medical center of antiquity. After the tour drive back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Izmir.
DAY 3: THYATIRA - SARDIS - PHILEDELPHIA [B, D]
Pick-up from your hotel after the breakfast and depart for Thyatira. This city was once a busy trade center and a route to Sardis. .Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29).
Next we will visit Sardis which is another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality, it was weak. Jesus told Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead"(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. You will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis.
Our Next stop is site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). Not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of Alasehir. After the tour we will drive to our hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner and Overnight stay in Pamukkale.
DAY 4: HIERAPOLIS - LAODICEA [B,D]
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Hierapolis; an ancient city of pagan cults. Meaning “Holy City”, Hierapolis was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip lived and is said to be buried here. At the top of the cliff stands the majestic Hierapolis, founded as a thermal spa early in the 2nd century BCE. The grounds offer several noteworthy arched gates, a sprawling amphitheater and the Temple of Apollo, among many other ancient artifacts. .
The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, (Rev. 3: 14-22) were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21),
Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets and a chance to witness the newest axcavations in Laodicea. After the tour drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
DAY 5: EPHESUS [B, L]
After breakfast at your hotel, we begin our day tour of the magnificent ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Again Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches. Ephesus is a wonder of carved marble columns, impressive amphitheatres, terraced housing and the famous Celsus Library - among others. Walk in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero and the Apostles Paul and John. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after The Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope.
Near Ephesus there is the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. The Seven Sleepers were seven young men who had been walled up in a cave during the persecutions under Decius (c.250). They fell asleep, miraculously waking up around 435 in the time of Theodosius II.
We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and was buried. The final visit of the day is to the temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
After our tour we will transfer you to the Izmir airport to fly back to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines (direct flight). Your transfer driver will be waiting for you outside the arrivals area with a sign bearing your name. Transfer to your hotel and Overnight in Istanbul Hotel.
DAY 6: ISTANBUL OLD CITY [B,L]
After breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up from you hotel reception (09:00) and begin your day tour of Old Istanbul. Our first introduction to Istanbul is at the magnificent Topkapi Palace. This jewel of the Ottoman Sultans was used from the 15th to 19th centuries and features the sprawling palace grounds with spectacular views. Inside the palace compound we will see the impressive architecture and some smaller museum rooms with priceless artifacts from the days of the Sultans. The famed Harem of the Sultans is also located here (for an extra admission fee). After touring the palace and grounds, we will break for lunch. Afterwards we will visit the Blue Mosque - a working mosque with 20,000 Iznik tiles. The architecture, light and colors inside this mosque are breathtaking. Our next journey takes us through and around the ancient Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, as well as the Snake Pillar and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Through the back streets of the Old City, we will arrive at the Underground Cistern - with beautiful columns and sunken carvings. At the end of the tour there may be free time to visit the famous Grand Covered Bazaar (closed on Sunday). This may be done as a walking tour for guests with centrally located hotels. Overnight in Istanbul Hotel.
DAY 7: ISTANBUL [B]
Pick-up from your hotel according to your flight time and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your international flight departure out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Goodbye!
Customize Your Tour: Add-On Options
Flight Bookings: Domestic or International flights and upgrades. We are a full-service travel agency
Hotel Upgrades / Changes: we offer our Top Picks for hotels in each area. If you have a different hotel in mind or would like an upgrade please let us know. You may also book your own hotels and join in the tour. For more information please email us |
