Private 8-Day Seven Churches of Revelation Tour

Day 1: Istanbul – Arrival Day

Arrive at Istanbul Airport, where you will be met and greeted by local representatives. Transfer to your hotel and check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Ayasultan Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour

After your breakfast, around 8:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin a full-day tour of this magnificent city. It includes an official English-speaking guide, tickets, lunch at a central city restaurant, and a visit to the most resplendent monuments that the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires have handed down to future generations: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), Topkapi Palace, and the historical Grand Bazaar, which houses more than 4,000 stores. After the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Ayasultan Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Istanbul to Izmir; Smyrna – Thyatira

You will be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight from Istanbul to Izmir between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival at Izmir airport, you will be picked up and begin your tour.

Our first visit of the day is Pergamum. The church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17); it was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We’ll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Altar of Zeus, and visit the ruins of the library (which once held 200,000 volumes). Next, we travel east to Thyatira, viewing the ancient roadway and period columns. Thyatira was once a busy trading center and famous as a “seller of purple,” the most favored of the Seven Churches. We continue south to Izmir, which is the third largest city in Turkey and a long-time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul’s day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). After the tour, return to your hotel in Izmir for check-in and an overnight stay.

• Overnight in Izmir
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir OR Mövenpick Hotel Izmir OR Renaissance Izmir Hotel

Day 4: Sardis – Philadelphia – Pamukkale

After breakfast, departing the hotel in Izmir, the first visit will be to Polycarp’s Church and the ancient Roman Agora. Then, travel to Sardis, which was criticized by John for its facade of strength when, in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Sardis is where coins were first minted and the dyeing of wool originated. Explore the gymnasium and the synagogue.

The next stop is nearby Philadelphia, where visitors are challenged to “hold fast” and look forward to the coming of the “new Jerusalem” (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation. Not much remains of the ancient city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of Alasehir.

After the visit, we proceed to Pamukkale. Lodging this evening will be in a spa hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Pamukkale

After breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the world-famous travertines. Following our visit, we head to Laodicea, located in the Lycus River Valley, known as “the lukewarm church with a faith that’s neither hot nor cold” (Rev. 3:14-22). After our visits, we will transfer back to your hotel in Pamukkale for dinner.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Laodicea – Ephesus Tour

After breakfast, you will transfer to the nearby town of Selcuk to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Once a thriving port town of 250,000 people, Ephesus features spectacular excavations of its major streets. Highlights include the Library, Agora, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic view of the ancient port area, rich in church history and cultural insights. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be the resting place of John. From here, we will have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Fly from Izmir to Istanbul

Enjoy a morning of free time in Kusadasi before taking an afternoon flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Ayasultan Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Istanbul – End of Tour

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon). Spend your last day with some free time for shopping or leisure activities. You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight tickets (from Istanbul to Izmir and from Izmir to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• Accommodation for 3 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-Star Hotels, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Izmir at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 2 nights in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Services of a professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch), D=Dinner).
• All entrance fees are as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.