Seven Churches of Revelation Tour - 8 Days/7 Nights

Arrival at Istanbul Airport. Transfer and check in to your hotel. You’ll have free time for the rest of the day. After a short rest, you can explore Istanbul on your own overnight in an Istanbul hotel.
Join this private Seven Churches tour in Asia Minor and find spiritual happiness. Witness the impressive power of the Seven Churches, each individually defined.

Today, we will visit Ottoman and Byzantine monuments in the Sultanahmet area. First, we will visit Topkapı Palace, where the Sultans ruled the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. You will admire the dazzling treasures, valuables, and harem of the Sultans. (Treasury and Harem sections are extra).
Next, We will visit Hagia Sofia (Saint Sofia), it was the most enormous Cathedral in the world, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D. In the fascinating atmosphere of Hagia Sofia, you will admire its gigantic structure, wonderful frescoes, and architecture.
We will stroll the historical Hippodrome Square, which was used as a meeting place and for chariot races during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Here, we will see the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll.
Afterward, we will visit the legendary Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, built in the 17th century with six beautiful minarets. It takes its name from over 20,000 blue Iznik tiles used in its interior decoration.

We will have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the Grand Bazaar, the world's largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops.
Accommodation in Istanbul. (Breakfast )

Early departure we will set off for Pergamon  (approx. 380 km). Upon our arrival, we will take lunch at a local restaurant. Ancient Pergamon one of the most influential cities in the ancient world rose to prominence following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. and eventually came under Roman control in 133 B.C. Although the city benefited from immense wealth, in the Book of Revelations, the risen Christ instructs John to convey that the people of Pergamon, the site of “Satan’s Throne”, needed to repent (Rev 2:13-16). 
The Temples in Acrapol were the worship centers of Dionysus, Zeus, and other pagan gods, and the first Christians were executed here by the Romans. For this reason, it is defined as "The Seat of Satan" (Revelation 2: 12-16).
Acropolis sits atop a 1000-foot windswept mountain and offers a view of the neighboring modern towns, the azure waters of the Aegean, and the ruins of Pergamon that cascade down from the ancient city center. Here, we will explore the Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena, and the Altar of Zeus, which was once among the grandest monuments of the ancient world. The Great Theatre of Pergamon is among the steepest of its kind and an acoustic phenomenon, it could entertain up to 10,000 spectators, and nearby are the remains of the famous Library of Pergamon. We’ll also visit the Red Basilica.
We continue on our way to Akhisar. ( 85 Km )  Visit the Church of Thyatira, now called Akhisar, one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 2:18 - 24; Acts 16:14]. Paul's sermons in the Philippi city of Macedonia mention Akhisar (Thyatira) and the church there. He describes Thyatira as the hometown of a wealthy purple dye merchant named Lydia, who worshiped God. (Acts 16:14)

Afterward, we will drive to Izmir. ( 110 Km )   Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (Breakfast - Dinner)

After breakfast, we will visit the ruins of ancient Smyrna, one of the Seven Churches that the Apostle John relays the promise from God: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).
Smyrna is the second city of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation, to receive the message from St. John was that of Smyrna. (Rev. 1:11;2:8) We will see the remains of a basilica and architectural works from the Roman period.
Afterward, we will visit the oldest church of Izmir, the Saint Polycarp Church, the bishop of Smyrna, and a student of St. John, who was martyred here in the 2nd century.
** We will continue with Salihli City (Sardis). This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century B.C., portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which was converted into a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored Sardis Gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue.
After our visit, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant en route. Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia Church, nowadays called Alaşehir, one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church that wasn’t censored. There, we will see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a high arch and 11th-century frescoes.
Dinner and overnight in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale.  ( Breakfast -  Dinner )

We’ll start our tour in Pamukkale after breakfast. We will be visiting the Hierapolis first. Here, we’ll see the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the ancient 2nd-century Roman Theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis.
We will pass through the Roman Gate, admire the ancient Pamukkale Theater, and walk around the grave monuments built to honor heroes. Each tomb is a small work of art telling a different story. Then, we will have a relaxing on the Pamukkale travertine terraces.
** Afterwards we will visit Laodicea ruins and the Laodicea church, another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13 - 16]. 
Laodicea thrived as a major center of worship for the pagan goddess Aphrodite for about 500 years after Christ. 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), said to the Laodicean Church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock...".  
Today, excavations continue in Laodicea uncovering an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus with ancient theaters, marble paths lined with columns, basilica ruins, antique stone water pipes, temples, agora, and monumental fountains. 
We have lunch in Pamukkale and fierce to Kuşadası. Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası. ( Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner )

Ephesus is on the World Heritage list and is one of the best-preserved e-Roma cities till today.
The Church of Ephesus is the most important of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. It is thought that the Gospel of John was written here. Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. The Church of Ephesus also received an epistle from him.
During the Ephesus tour, we will walk around the spectacular ruins where excavations continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century B.C. We will walk through history, along the marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, including the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theatre with a capacity of 25,000.
Lunch at a selected local restaurant. Afterward, we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the Basilica of St. John.
Lastly, we will see the House of the Virgin Mary, a small modest stone house located in the forest on the side of a mountain 9 km from Ephesus. It is visited by Christian pilgrims from all over the world. St. John brought Mary to Ephesus, following the advice that Jesus Christ gave to his mother. (John 19:27).  
We will visit Şirince village, which is famous for its 200-year-old houses, history, beautiful scenery, and delicious food.
At the end of the tour, we will be watching the special demonstrations in Turkish Delight and Leather Wear Factory stores in the area.  At the end of the tour, transfer to Izmir, Dinner, and accommodation in Izmir or Kusadasi.  (Breakfast – Dinner)

After breakfast, early departure from Izmir to Istanbul ( 480 Km / 5,5 hr ) We’ll have a lunch break on the way.
**First, we will visit the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) built in 530 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. It features well-preserved mosaics and frescoes and is of great artistic value as they offer some of the best examples of Late Byzantine art from the 14th century. Chora Church was initially built on the site of a small chapel that stood for 500 years. Although it was damaged several times throughout its existence, Chora is still one of the most important monuments in Istanbul today.
Then, we will visit the Saint George's Church and Fener Roman Patriarchal which is the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople bears the title of "Primus inter Pares" that is (First of the Equals) and he is regarded as the representative and religious leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.
If we have time the next stop is the amazing Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) with its admirable mystic atmosphere. You can purchase delicious spices, Turkish Delight, and nuts here.
End of the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.  (Breakfast  )

Note: Chora Church is under renovation, so instead we will visit the Pantokrator Monastery Church, one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture (later converted into a mosque)

Free time in Istanbul until your airport transfer. Our tour concludes with your Private transfer to the Istanbul Airport for your onward flight to your country.
Hope to see you again on another Turkey tour. ( Breakfast )

Customized Tours
We can create a tour program upon your request and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Please contact us with your requests.