Overview
The 07 Churches mentioned by St. John in the Book of Revelations are all found in Turkey and each was a founding community of Christianity. A visit to these ancient sites is so much more than just exploring ruins, it is a time to reflect on what happened in the past and meditate on universal lessons to be learned today.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival to Istanbul:
Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport meet for transfer to hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is then at leisure (as per your flight arrival time). Overnight in Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 - Historical Sights of Sultanahmet (regular group or private basis):
Aftre breakfast begin to discover some of the major sites that makes Istanbul such a fascinating city. Visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: breakfast & lunch included
**Additional days & tours in Istanbul can be added according to amount of time you have available.
**Istanbul section can also be excluded if you only wish to do day 03 to day 05
DAY 03 - Izmir (Smyrna) & Pergamum (private guided basis):
Smyrna Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:8-11
Pergamon Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:12-17
Transfer to airport for early morning flight on to Izmir. On arrival meet up with your private tour guide and begin your 7 Churches of Revelations Tour. During time in Izmir view St Polycarp Church (from the outside only) along with Kadifekale (translated meaning Velvet Castle) for panoramic views over the bay and city. Then depart to Bergama and ruins of Pergamum, previously a renowned cultural and political center used by the Romans as an administrative center for the province of Asia. Here visit the ruins of the Acropol and the Asclepion with its theatre. Overnight in Bergama.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 04 - Thyatira, Philadelphi, Sardes & Pamukkale (private guided basis):
Thyatira Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:18-29
Philadelphi Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:7-13
Sardes Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:1-6
After breakfast and check out, time to depart on to visit the ruins of Thyatira which was founded by the Lydians. Then to magnificent Sardes which was the wealthy capital of the Lydian Empire. Enroute to Pamukkale also stop to visit the church in Philadelphia which was important for the spreading of thought patterns and activities of the Hellenistic civilisation and Christian faith. Our day will end on arrival to Pamukkale with a visit to the natural formation of the travertens (Cotton Cliffs) and the ruins of Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 05 - Laodicea, Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary (private guided basis):
Ephesus Biblical Reference - Revelation: 1:11:2:1-7 and Acts 18:19-28:19
Laodicea Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:14-22
Depart to visit the ruins of Laodicea which is mentioned in Revelations as the "City of Compromise". Next head to Selcuk and visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which represents many different facets of Ancient Greek and Roman culture. Last by not least, visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the last of her days.
***Choose your own ending: stay another night in Kusadasi, travel on to Greece, travel back to Istanbul or continue to other areas of Turkey. Choice is yours - just let us know your preferences in the enquiry form