Istanbul to Seven Churches of Asia Minor 4 Nights in 4 Star Hotels

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Pick Up from Hotel and Transfer to Istanbul airport for flight to Izmir
2 stops
1
Istanbul Airport
Flight from Istanbul to Izmir
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Arrival to Izmir airport and our representative will meet you and private transfer to your hotel in Izmir
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Pergamon – Thyatira - Izmir (Breakfast)
2 stops
3
Pergamon Ancient City
Drive to Pergamum, It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the Asklepieion, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the, Throne of Satan, in the book of Revelation
3 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Tepe Mezari
Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira. we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. dinner and overnight.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis ( Breakfast - Dinner )
4 stops
5
Sardis (Sardes)
Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus. Lunch en route.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
6
Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi
Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
Laodicea
Continue to visit to Laodicia. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Hierapolis & Pamukkale
We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13] we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Ephesus – Kusadasi (Breakfast - Dinner)
5 stops
9
Ancient City of Ephesus
Drive to Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
10
Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
Basilica of St. John
After House of Virgin Mary, drive to St. John’s Basilica, it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
12
The Temple of Artemis
We will stop at Artemis Temple where used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop before drive back to Kusadasi
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
Kusadasi
Arrival to Kusadasi. Check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Kusadasi - Izmir transfer and flight to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul
3 stops
14
Kusadasi Gazi Begendi Park
Pick up from hotel in Kusadasi and private transfer to Izmir airport for flight to Istanbul
1 hour • Admission ticket free
15
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Arrival to Izmir airport for flight to Istanbul
1 hour • Admission ticket free
16
Istanbul Airport
Arrival to Istanbul and private transfer to your hotel. and the end of our services
1 hour • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• Min. 2 pax booking reguired

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