Seven Churches of Revelation and Christianity Tour - 9 Days / 8 Nights

Arrival at Istanbul Airport. 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 hotel.

Today, we will visit Topkapı Palace, where the Ottoman Sultans lived with their families and ruled their empire for 400 years. The palace houses invaluable treasures, diamonds, golds, and dresses of the Sultans. Next, we will have a walk at the Hippodrome Square where chariot races were held during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Here, we’ll see we will see the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll. Then, we will visit the Hagia Sophia (Saint Sofia), which you will admire thanks to its magnificent architecture and frescoes. Also known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom, it was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century. 
Afterward, we’ll have lunch 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. 
Visit Istanbul Archeology Museum instead of Topkapi Palace on tuesday. ( Topkapi Palaca closed on Tuesday )
**  Istanbul Archeology Museum: Among the thousands of years old magnificent historical artifacts exhibited in the Archeology Museum, the sarcophagi of Alexander the Great, in the 13th century BC is the most important. Tablets of the Kadesh Treaty made between Pharaoh Ramesses II and the Hittites and many other wonderful treasures are waiting for you here. 
Our tour ends with a trip to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest bazaars in the world with its 4000 shops. You will admire its authentic ambiance and incredible architecture.   Accommodation  in Istanbul. (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards the Golden Horn at 08:40 am. You will see Istanbul’s Byzantine City Walls built during the 4th century by Emperor Theodosius, stretching 8 km along the Golden Horn. We’ll visit the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) built in 530 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. It features mosaics and frescoes that are very well-preserved and of great artistic value as they offer some of the best examples of Late Byzantine period art from the 14th century. We’ll continue with the Tekfur Palace, also known as the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (from outside). It was built during the 13th century and is the only Byzantine Palace still standing today.
Afterward, we will visit the Saint George's Church and Fener Roman Patriarchal which is the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul who has been bearing the title of Archbishop of Constantinople, since the 6th century. 
We will have lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, we will continue with St. Stephen Church, also known as The Bulgarian Iron Church. Dubbed as the most metal church of all time, it was built in the late 19th century It was neglected and out of use for a long time but was restored by the Turkish Government in 2015 and reopened for worship. Afterward, we will see Eyüp Sultan Mosque (view from outside). It is one of the holiest places in Istanbul and the burial place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. 
Finally, we take 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 - the fourth of the seven Churches of Revelation, at 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 worshiped God. (Acts 16:14)
*** We will continue south to Izmir, which is the third-largest city in Turkey and a long-time center 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 of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation to receive the message from St. John (Rev. 1:11;2:8). We will observe 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, which was the bishop of Smyrna and a student of St. John, who was martyred here in the 2nd century.
Accommodation in Izmir. (Breakfast  - Dinner)

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 neighborhood, and Güzelyalı. Afterward, we will depart for Pamukkale (approx. 230 km). We will be passing through the fertile plains of the Aegean region 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 Sardi's 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, 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)

After breakfast, we start our Pamukkale tour. Hierapolis, meaning the holy city, was an ancient center of Pagan Culture. The Apostle Philip lived here. He was martyred by Dominitian and later Hierapolis became one of the centers 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, and the Necropolis as well as the grave monuments built to honor heroes. In the end, 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 very large area. We will see two ancient theaters, agora, marble streets lined with columns, ancient water channels, 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 we continue on our way to Kuşadası. (180 km)
On our way to Kuşadası, we will stop at the St. John Church, built on the tomb of the Saint John the Evangelist who is considered to be 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 3 important places of worship of the 3 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 3 religions is 100 - 300 meters as they face each other.
Arrive and check in to our hotel in Kuşadası or Izmir.
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. 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, which was 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 of 25,000. Afterward, 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 located in the forest on the side of a mountain 9 km from Ephesus. St. John brought her here, following the advice that Jesus Christ gave to his mother. She spent the last years of her life. Aftervard, visit Sirince Village with 200 years houses and test the delicious famous wines.
At the end of the tour, we will be watching the special demonstrations in Turkish Delight and Leather Wear Factory stores in the region, and have free time after. 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 important 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 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). Afterward, we will visit Asklepion, the famous medical center of antiquity, and the Red Basilica. We will visit Acropolis, which was the administrative center of the city located 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 on our journey to Istanbul (approx. 4 hrs). Accommodation at our hotel in Istanbul. (Breakfast)
At the end of the tour, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and continue on 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 tours. (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. ( Breakfast )