THE SEVEN CHURCHES TOUR
Anatolia has been the centre of Christianity ever since St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John. Many other apostles came here to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This intensive religious effort bore fruit in the building of "Seven Churches of Revelation" in seven major cities throughout western Turkiye.
Day 1 Early morning departure to Smyrna (Izmir), recipient of a letter from St Paul praising the early believers for their faithfullness. Visiting to St. Polycarp Church and a short tour of the city, drive to Thyateira (Akhisar), and Sardis (Salihli), the ancient Lydian capital. Philadelphia (Alasehir), the youngest of the "Seven Churches of Relevation", visiting the still standing remains of an early church and the city walls. Dinner and overnight at Hierapolis (Pamukkale). .
Day 2 Departure after breakfast, tour of Hierapolis. Visit to Laodicea (Denizli), a crossroad of the ancient world, home of Philip the Evangelist. Continue to Ephesus, most important of the "Seven Churches of Asia Minor", where St. John brought Mary in fulfillment of his pledge to Jesus to protect her, she is belived to have taken into heaven. Visit to the last abode of Virgin Mary and St. John Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 3 Departure after breakfast for Pergamum (Bergama), the place where, wrote St. John to the church of Pergamum, "Satan's throne is sited". Evening return to Izmir and transfer to the airport for flight, or bus to Istanbul.
INCLUDING
All Lunches mentioned on the itinerary.
Accommodation for two nights including breakfast and dinner in quality hotels.
All Entrance Fees for the sites Mentioned In The Itinerary.
Certificated Speaking Expert Tour Guide Throughout.
Transportation By A/C Deluxe vehicle.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
All Taxes.
Luggage and Portage tips.
JEWISH HERITAGE
DAY 1 ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be meet and transferred to your hotel. (D)
DAY 2 ISTANBUL
Departure to visit the Galata Tower. Galata was the centre of old Jewish Community. See the Neve Shalom and Ashkenazy Synagogues. After lunch visit Balat section where the Star of David appears. Visit Ahrida and Yanbol Synagogues and the Jewish Hospital. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 ISTANBUL / IZMIR
Following breakfast we drive to the old city where we will visit the hippodrome , the museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts , the Blue Mosque , famous for it's delicate blue ceramic tiles and St. Sophia. and next we will visit the speculator Topkapi Palace. Afternoon visit the Mosque of Suleyman. Evening transfer to the airport for your one hour flight to Izmir. When we arrive transfer to the hotel. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 IZMIR
In the morning visit Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues. After lunch at a local restaurant drive to Sardis, capital of Ancient Lydia. Visit the famous Synagogue and the Temple of Diana. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 IZMIR / ISTANBUL
Full day tour of the ancient city of Ephesus, a busting metropolis at the turn of the Christian Era, visiting the Basilica of St. John, the Celcus Library, the Arcadian Road, the Roman Baths, the Theater, the Temple of Artemis, the Shrine of Virgin Mary. Lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 ISTANBUL
Transfer to the Istanbul Airport. (B)
(B= Breakfast , L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
INCLUDING
4 Lunches mentioned on the itinerary.
Accommodation for 6 nights including 5 breakfast and 5 dinner in quality hotels.
All Entrance Fees for the sites Mentioned In The Itinerary.
Certificated Speaking Expert Tour Guide Throughout.
Transportation By A/C Deluxe vehicle.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
All Taxes.
Luggage and Portage tips.
All Domestic airfares.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT PAUL TOUR
Day 1 : Istanbul
Our representative greets you as you land in Istanbul. After transferring to your hotel, the remainder of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in your hotel. (D)
Day 2 : Antioch
A morning flight to Adana begins a full day tour taking you past hilltop Crusadercastles to Antakya to visit the Antioch cave church that sponsored Paul`s missionary journeys. You also see an excellent museum of Roman mosaics from nearby ruins. Return to Adana for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 3 : Tarsus / Cillician Gates / Cappadocia
Tour St. Pauls`s birthplace, Tarsus where you may drink from his well. Drive through the beautiful Taurus Mountains to Biblical Cappadocia, famous for unique landscapes, underground cities and towns carved from soft volcanic rock. En route, we visit a 13thcentury caravan inn. (B,L,D)
Day 4 : Cappadocia
A full day to tour Cappadocia: Goreme, with its rock chapels decorated with Christian frescoes the underground city of Kaymakli. Visit the pottery making village of Avanos and the Byzantine Monastic complex of Zelve simply enjoy the picturesque views of this ancient, historic land. (B,L,D)
Day 5 : Cappadocia – Iconium – Antalya
Drive across rolling steppe to Konya for a tour of the famous Mevlana Mausoleum, Then transit the Taurus Mountains to arrive in Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea, an area often called the Turquoise Coast due to it`s exquisite clear blue waters. (B,L,D)
Day 6 : Perge & Aspendos
A full day tour includes: the Antalya Archaeological Museum and its numerous artifacts and statues from nearby ancient sites. The unspoiled ruins of Perge with its colonnade street, and Aspendos with its huge theater, the best preserved Mediterranean theater still used for special events. (B,L,D)
Day 7 :Antalya – Laodicea – Pamukkale
A morning drive brings you to Pamukkale and the white lime cascades of the Roman spa , Hierapolis , Phillip the Evangelist`s home. Tour the extensive Necropolis , churches and baths then stop at nearby Laodecia . Enjoy a leisurely bath in natural warm mineral waters . (B,L,D)
Day 8 : Ephesus & St. Mary`s House – Smyrna
A morning drive crosses the fertile valleys to Ephesus, home of Saint Paul for three years, to explore and experience of Greco – Roman and Christian remains. Tour nearby Virgin Mary`s cottage. Stop at the restoration of Saint John`s Basilica, his first burial spot. Return to Kusadasi for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 9 : Kusadasi – Priene – Miletos – Didyma - Kusadasi
You will be picked up from your hotel after breakfast and depart for Priene. This was once a harbour city but is now located 16 km inland from the sea on the hills of the Mykale Mountain. Alexander The Great lived in this city for a time. After Priene, you will depart for Miletus. Visit the ancient city of Miletus which once was one of the biggest cities in Anatolia. Lunch break after Miletus and then visit to Didyma. This was not a city but a temple dedicated to Apollon. It was once one of the biggest temples in the Hellenic World. Overnight at the Hotel in Kusadasi. (B,L,D)
Day 10 : Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale ( Dardanelles )
The first stop today is the acropolis of ancient Pergamum. Sights include the Altar of Zeus, and the Asklepion, a famous Roman Medical Center. Continuing north, we tour legendary walls, buildings and a replica of the famous wooden horse at Troy. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,L,D)
Day 11 : Dardanelles – Gallipoli – Istanbul
Crossing the Dardanelles waterway we see a WW1 site, then drive along the Marmara Sea to Istanbul. Upon arrival, tour the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, famous for unequaled ceramis tiles. You may choose to join our optional dining evening with belly and folk dancing entertainment. (B,L)
Day 12 : Istanbul
Today explore ancient city highlights including Topkapi Palace (main residence of Ottoman sultans). Saint Sophia Basilica with its breath–taking mosaics, stained glass windows and decorated domes finally the Grand Bazaar with 3.000 exotic shops along covered lanes and alleyways. (B,L)
Day 13 : Istanbul
Your escort will transfer,you to the airport for the flight home.(B)
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
INCLUDING
Accommodation for 12 nights and including 12 Breakfast,11 Lunch, 10 Dinner in quality hotels.
All Entrance Fees for the sites Mentioned In The Itinerary.
Certificated Speaking Expert Tour Guide Throughout.
Transportation By A/C Deluxe vehicle.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
All Taxes.
Luggage and Portage tips.
Baggage handling at the airports.
All domestic airfares.
