Seven Churches of Revelation Christian Tour - 9 Days

Arrival at Istanbul Airport for the Seven Churches of Revelation—Christianity tour. Our assistant will be waiting for you at the exit point. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. You’ll have the rest of the day free. Take your time to rest or discover Istanbul in your free time. Prepare yourself for the holy journey ahead.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Today, we will be visiting the Topkapı Palace, which served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years. The palace is home to priceless treasures, including diamonds, gold, and the exquisite dresses of the Sultans. Afterwards, we will stroll at the Hippodrome Square, where chariot races were held during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Here, you will see the Serpent Column from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll. Finally, we will visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia (Saint Sofia) with its stunning architecture and frescoes. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, this church, also known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom, is a true wonder of the world.

Afterwards, we’ll have a lunch break in a selected restaurant.  
Then, we will see the exquisite Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets covered with Blue Iznik Tiles. 
The Istanbul Archeology Museum houses a vast collection of historical artefacts that date back thousands of years. Among the most significant items on display are the coffins of Alexander the Great, crafted in the 13th century BC. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the tablets of the Kadesh Treaty, an agreement between Pharaoh Ramesses II and the Hittites, and many other beautiful treasures. The tour concludes with a trip to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest bazaars, featuring over 4000 shops. Visitors will be impressed by this incredible market's authentic atmosphere and stunning architecture.

BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE     ( 20:00 – 24:00 )                 
Menu: Grill fish or meatballs or chicken, cold and hot appetisers, 
Beverages.; Unlimited soft and alcoholic ( Raki, Beer, Wine, vodka)
Program: Music, Folklore performance, Whirling Dervishes show, Traditional wedding ceremony, Oriental belly dancer Show, and more.
Transfer: Return transfer from the hotel. 19:30 – 24:0
Accommodation in Istanbul. (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards the Golden Horn at 08:40 am. Visit the Egyptian Bazaar, which smells of mystic aromatic spice. You will see Istanbul’s Byzantine City Walls, built during the 4th century by Emperor Theodosius, stretching 8 km along the Golden Horn. Visit the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) if the construction is finished. Built in 530 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. It features well-preserved mosaics and frescoes and is of great artistic value, offering some of the best examples of Late Byzantine art from the 14th century. We’ll continue with the Tekfur Palace, also known as the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (from the outside). It was built during the 13th century and is the only Byzantine Palace still standing today.
Afterwards, we will visit   Saint George's Church and Fener Roman Patriarchal, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople seat bearing the title of Archbishop of Constantinople since the 6th century.

We have lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will see the Eyüp Sultan Mosque (from the outside). It is one of the holiest places in Istanbul and the burial place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
Finally, we will take the Cable Car up to Pierre Loti Hill to enjoy the unique sunset view over Golden Horn and Istanbul while having a relaxing cup of Turkish coffee or tea.
End of the tour. Return to your hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul. (Breakfast) 

Early departure from Istanbul to Izmir (approx. 480 km - 6 hrs). We will have lunch on the way to a local restaurant. Before Izmir, Thyatira was the fourth of the seven Churches of Revelation in Akhisar town. Thyatira Church, 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 worshipped God. (Acts 16:14)
*** We will continue south to Izmir, the third-largest city in Turkey and a long-time centre for Jewish and Christian communities. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11).
The Christian community of Smyrna, mentioned in the Apostle John's Book of Revelation, Smyrna Church was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.
Smyrna is the second city in the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation to receive messages from St. John (Rev. 1:11;2:8). We will observe the remains of basilicas and architectural works from the Roman period.
Afterwards, visit Saint Polycarp Church. This church was built in the name of the bishop of Smyrna and a student of St. John, who was martyred here in the 2nd century.
Accommodation in Izmir. (Breakfast  - Dinner)

Sardis,  Philadelphia, Pamukkale
Our tour starts after breakfast and check-out. We’ll visit the historical Agora and have a sightseeing tour in Izmir: Clock Tower, Kemeraltı Bazaar, Kadifekale Castle, Konak neighbourhood, and Güzelyalı. Afterwards, we will depart for Pamukkale (approx. 230 km). We will pass through the fertile Aegean plains, where the most delicious grapes are grown. Our first stop will be in Salihli (Sardis), once the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, where the first coin was invented. The church at Sardis had a few devoted members, but it was essentially a dead church (Revelation 3: 1,4).
We will visit the Sardes Holy Church, the ancient sports hall, the ruins of the Artemis Temple, and the ancient Sardis Synagogue.
Our next stop will be Philadelphia, known as Alaşehir, today. It is known that the Church of Philadelphia was active until 600 AD.
At the end of your tour, we will drive to Pamukkale, home to the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Overnight in a lovely thermal hotel in Pamukkale. (Breakfast  - Dinner)

Overnight in a lovely thermal hotel in Pamukkale.  (Breakfast - Dinner)

After breakfast, we start our Pamukkale tour. Hierapolis, meaning the holy city, was an ancient centre of Pagan Culture. The Apostle Philip lived here. The Dominicans martyred him, and later, Hierapolis became one of the centres of Christianity. We will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Street, the ancient 2nd century Roman Theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, the Necropolis, and the grave monuments built to honour heroes. Ultimately, we will have a relaxing walk on the warm waters of the white travertine terraces.
Next, we will visit Laodicea (present name Denizli), which is one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Column 2: 1; 4: 13-16], established in a vast area. We will see two ancient theatres, an agora, marble streets lined with columns, ancient water channels, and, most importantly, the ruins of the Laodicea Basilica, one of the seven holy churches. Paul’s letter addressing the church in Laodicea is the sternest of the seven letters, containing many reprimands but no praise.
We will have lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Kuşadası. (180 km)
On our way to Kuşadası, we will stop at the St. John Church, built on the tomb of Saint John the Evangelist, who is considered the writer of the Book of Revelation and the author of the Gospel of John. The Church of St. John was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and his wife Teodora on John's tomb in 565 B.C.
** Note: Ayasuluk Hill, where St. John lived, is very special because three important places of worship of the three major religions exist here in the same place: Temple of Artemis for Paganism, St. John Church for Christians, and Isabey Mosque, the place of worship for Muslims. The distance between the temples of these three religions is 100 - 300 meters as they face each other.
Overnight stay in Kuşadası or Izmir. ( Breakfast -Dinner )

Today, our tour starts in Ephesus, the most important of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor. It is thought that the Gospel of John was written here. (Acts 18: 19-24; 19: 1-35) Moreover, Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. The Church of Ephesus also received an epistle from Saint Paul. We will see the spectacular ruins where excavations continue in this once great and important city founded in the 10th century BC. 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 25,000. Afterwards, we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a small, modest stone house in the forest on the side of a mountain 9 km from Ephesus. St. John brought her here, following Jesus Christ's advice to his mother. She spent the last years of her life here. Afterwards, we'll visit Sirince Village, which is 200 years old, and taste the delicious, famous wines.
At the end of the tour, we will watch the special demonstrations in Turkish Delight and Leather Wear Factory stores in the region and have free time.
Accommodation at our hotel in Kuşadası or Izmir. (Breakfast - Dinner)

Pergamon: The Christian congregation in Pergamon also included one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation by the Apostle John.
After breakfast, we will depart for Pergamon, known as Bergama, today. When the Book of Revelation was written, Pergamon was one of the most critical cities in Anatolia. Founded in the 3rd century BC, it rose to prominence following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Temples in Acrapol were the worship centres 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). Afterwards, we will visit Asklepion, the famous medical centre of antiquity, and the Red Basilica. We will visit Acropolis, the city's administrative centre on the hill offering a magnificent view. Here, we will see the ruins of the Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena and the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Demeter, the Pergamon Library, and ancient water ducts.
At the end of the tour, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and continue our journey to Istanbul (approx. 4 hrs).
Accommodation at our hotel in Istanbul. (Breakfast)

Free time until your transfer to the airport. Our tour concludes with your private transfer to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight. We hope to see you on another Turkey tour. (Breakfast.)

Customised Tours
Upon your request, we can create a tour program and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Please contact us with your requests. ( Breakfast )