8 Days Biblical Turkey

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival to Istanbul
1 stop
Istanbul Airport (Pass by)
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be greeted and drive to your hotel. Optional: Cruise Dinner with Turkish Dance Performences (19:30 - 23:30)
Day 2
City Highlights Tour
5 stops
1
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
St. Sophia (The Church of Divine Wisdom) One of the greatest marvels of architecture, Hagia Sophia was founded as a basilica in the 6th century. Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, St Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years; it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
2
Hippodrome
Its a former center of sportive events (chariot races for example) and political activities of the old city. Continue to the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
3
Blue Mosque
Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
4
TopkapI Palace
once the seat of the Ottoman Empire. Presently, its a museum palace with a wide collection of porcelain, antiques, holy relics and other treasures
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
5
Grand Bazaar
With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Istanbul - Troy – Canakkale (Gallipoli)
3 stops
6
Istanbul
Upon breakfast at the hotel meet your guide and drive to Canakkale.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Troy (Truva)
visit the remains of the legendary ancient city of Troy. There you see magnificent remains of the great walls of Troy as told by Homer and a wooden replica of the wooden horse
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
8
Canakkale
After tour drive to your hotel in Canakkale and overnight
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Alexandria Troas - Assos - Pergamum
4 stops
9
Canakkale
Upon breakfast at the hotel meet your guide and drive to Alexandria Troas
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Alexandria Troas Antik Kenti
Alexandria Troas where Paul preached in his missionary journey.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
11
Assos Antik Liman
Then continue to the ancient city of Assos, along the way you will have chance to see and walk on the 1st century roman road where Paul actually walked on his missionary journey. Upon arrival to Assos visit the gorgeous ancient remains of the fortification walls and see the only standing doric-ordered temple of Athena.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
12
Bergama
Then we continue driving to Bergama. Overnight in Bergama
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Pergamum - Thyatira
3 stops
13
Pergamon Ancient City
Pergamum, now called Bergama. On the acropolis, we will see the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Trajan, and the Library of Pergamon, famous for the development of parchment. We will also visit the ancient theater, known for its steep seating, and the healing center dedicated to Asclepius. Afterwards, we will visit the Red Basilica, originally dedicated to Egyptian gods and later converted into a basilica during the early Christian period.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
14
Red Basilica (Kizil Avlu)
Afterwards, we will visit the Red Basilica, originally dedicated to Egyptian gods and later converted into a basilica during the early Christian period.
1 day • Admission ticket not included
15
Akhisar
Next, we drive to Thyatira, now called Akhisar. Thyatira was a major commercial center and military post, known for its trade guilds, including wool and linen workers, purple dyers, and bronze and leather craftsmen. It received the longest and central letter from Jesus Christ. We will see the remains of a Basilica, the Colonnaded Street, and other architectural fragments before continuing to Sardis, now called Salihli.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Sardis, Philadelphia, Hierapolis, Laodicea
4 stops
16
Sardis (Sardes)
Today, we explore Sardis, now known as Salihli. Once the capital of Lydia, it became an important city in the Persian Empire around 546 BCE. Located on the Persian Royal Road, Sardis was a major trade center known for carpets and woolen products and played an important role in the development of modern currency. We will visit the Gymnasium, Roman Synagogue, Byzantine Shops, 4th-century Church, and Temple of Artemis to discover the city's rich history.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
17
Alaşehir
Our next stop is the Church of Philadelphia, in modern-day Alaşehir. It was the last established city among the Seven Churches and the smallest in population. Here, we will see the remains of St. John's Basilica, built with bricks. The Church of Philadelphia is remembered for remaining faithful to Jesus Christ.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
Laodicea Ancient City
Next, we drive to Denizli and visit the Church of Laodicea, the only church in the Book of Revelation without any positive mention. Laodicea's wealth allowed the city to rebuild itself after the earthquake of 60 AD without imperial support. We will explore Syrian Street, the Laodicean Church, State Agora, the remains of the Basilica, two ancient theaters, and ancient stone water pipes. We will also look for a carved Cross on a Menorah on a column.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
19
Hierapolis & Pamukkale
Our final destination for the day is nearby Hierapolis, famous for its hot mineral springs and well-preserved Roman ruins. We will see Pamukkale Travertines and Cleopatra Antique Pool, followed by the ancient city's main streets, ancient gates, ancient theatre, the Temple of Apollo and Ploutonion. We will also visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip, commemorating the place where he was martyred during the persecutions in Hierapolis.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 7
Ancient Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St John
4 stops
20
Ancient City of Ephesus
There you walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
21
Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
where she spent her last days
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
22
Basilica of St. John
where he wrote his gospel
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
23
The Temple of Artemis
one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Smyrna (Izmir)
2 stops
24
Agora Open Air Museum
Today, we begin our exploration in Smyrna (now called İzmir), an ancient and prosperous port city. Important remains include the Agora, aqueducts, and a cistern. The site also contains ship and sailor graffiti, as well as examples of Isopsephism of desire, in which numbers represent names or ideas. The letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia are notable because they contain no criticism of the churches.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
Izmir (Pass by)
After the tour, we drop you off your hotel in İzmir or Izmir Airport for your next journey

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Free entry to hıstorical sites for childrens 8yr and below
• Entrance fees are excluded (Your guide will have skıp-the-line tıckets for historical sites, so you will skip long ticket lines)

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