Day 1- ISTANBUL Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2- ISTANBUL - Byzantine & Ottoman Turks Relics All day city tour of Byzantine and Ottoman Relics on the European side of Istanbul. The Hippodrome with the Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Blue Mosque Aya Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Lodging in Istanbul.
Day 3- IZMIR- Pergamum Rev 1:11; 2:1-3; 22 Morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Today we will visit one of the seven churches in the book of revelation. Pergamum, we will explore in Acropolis with its temple of Zeus. After that, we will have countryside drive to Akhisar that is ancient Thyatira. Overnight in Izmir region.
Day 4- IZMIR- Ephesus This morning we will leave for Ephesus that is probably the most impressive archeological site in Turkey. It was the center of worship for the Greek god Artemis. We will see the temple of Artemis that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a large theater that stands on a hill next to the city. It is where the Apostle Paul was swept up into a riot as described in Acts 19:21-41. We will also see the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. Tradition says that the Apostle John came to live near the town of Selcuk and was buried on the site of the Church of St. John. After our daily tour we will return to and lodging near Izmir. Overnight in Izmir region.
Day 5- PAMUKKALE- Smyrna, Sardes, Philadelphia Today we will leave for Pamukkale. On the way, we will stop first for Smyrna. Sardis is one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches. It is set upon a steep hill surrounded by an impregnable citadel. The city is sprawled below the citadel, where there was a famous temple of Artemis dating back to 400 BC recent excavations have uncovered a synagogue, the last meters of the Royal Road from Susa to Sardis, and a gymnasium. Then we will see Philadelphia, the least distinguished of the cities of the Seven Churches with very few ruins visible now. Ancient Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, is now called Alasehir that has thick Byzantine walls that defended the city in the middle Ages. The most interesting ruins are a Byzantine basilica built of brick with a high arch and frescoes. Then we will travel to Hierapolis near Pamukkale, famous for its natural hot springs that have created white travertine formations. Lodging in Pamukkale.
Day 6- IZMIR- Hierapolis, Laodicea Today we will visit Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13) and then one of the seven churches " warm church" of Revelation, Laodicea with her brand new excavation. Overnight in Izmir region.
Day 7 - DEPARTURE Transfer to Izmir airport for departure home.
