3-Day Private Pilgrimage Tour to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
The Crown of the Martyrs – From Smyrna’s Faith to the Heights of Pergamum
4 stops
1
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
We will meet you at the Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) to begin our 3-day spiritual journey. Your professional guide will be waiting at the exit with a personalized sign. From the moment you arrive, we handle all the logistics and luggage, so you can settle into our modern, air-conditioned vehicle and relax. Depending on your arrival time, we will head straight to our first biblical site to maximize our time together on this meaningful pilgrimage.
Admission ticket free
2
Agora Open Air Museum
We will visit the Ancient Agora of Smyrna, one of the best-preserved Roman agoras in the world and a cornerstone of our biblical journey. As we walk through the ancient arches and marketplaces, your expert guide will explain how this bustling center shaped the lives of the early Christians in Smyrna. You will see the remarkable graffiti and shop remains that provide a rare glimpse into the daily environment where the "Church of the Suffering" lived and worked. This site is essential for understanding the Roman pressure faced by the early believers and the historical reality behind the letters in the Book of Revelation.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Pergamon Ancient City
We will depart from Izmir and head to the magnificent Acropolis of Pergamon. On this private tour, we will explore the site described in Revelation as "where Satan’s throne is," with your guide providing undivided attention to your questions. We will visit the world’s steepest ancient theater and the remains of the Great Altar, reflecting on the early Christians who lived in this powerful center of paganism. Your expert guide will connect the ruins to the biblical message sent to the Church of Pergamum, ensuring a personalized and spiritually moving experience at your own pace.
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Bergama
We will conclude our first day of this biblical pilgrimage by checking into a carefully selected 4-star hotel in Pergamon. As this is a private tour, you will have plenty of time to relax and reflect on the day's spiritual journey at your own pace. Staying overnight in Pergamon allows us to stay close to the history we've explored, ensuring a restful evening before we continue our sacred path tomorrow.
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Faith, Endurance, and Martyrdom – Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia & Hierapolis
6 stops
5
We will begin our morning with a private journey to Thyatira, the city of the "Longest Letter" in the Book of Revelation. In the heart of modern-day Akhisar, we will stand among the ancient ruins where the early Church was exhorted to hold fast against worldly temptations. As this is your private pilgrimage, your guide will provide a prayerful and deep theological reflection on the messages sent to the believers here. We will reflect on the devotion of the faithful, like Lydia of Thyatira, while contemplating the spiritual warnings and promises of the morning star.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
6
We will continue our sacred path to Sardis, once the wealthy capital of Lydia, but spiritually warned as the "Dead Church" that needed to wake up. On this private tour, we will explore the awe-inspiring Temple of Artemis and the magnificent ancient Synagogue, reflecting on the complex religious landscape the early Christians navigated. Your expert guide will help you visualize the "white garments" promised to the faithful few who did not soil their clothes in this worldly city. Walking through the Roman Gymnasium and the royal road, we will find moments for quiet contemplation on the importance of spiritual vigilance and endurance.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi
We will travel to Philadelphia, the city of the "Faithful Church" and the only one of the seven to receive no words of rebuke from the Lord. On this private pilgrimage, we will visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John, standing among the massive pillars that symbolize the promise to make the faithful "a pillar in the temple of God." Your expert guide will lead a spiritual reflection on the "open door" set before this community, focusing on their patient endurance and steadfast faith despite their small strength. As this is your private journey, you will have the peace and time to contemplate the message of brotherly love that gave this city its name.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
8
Hierapolis
We will continue our sacred journey to Hierapolis, the "Holy City," where the Apostle Philip was martyred for his faith. On this private pilgrimage, we will visit the Martyrium of St. Philip and the ancient cathedral, reflecting on the profound sacrifice of the early disciples. Your expert guide will lead you through the vast Necropolis and the magnificent Roman Theater, connecting the history of this healing center to the spiritual life of the early Christian community. Because this is your private tour, we will have the time to pause and honor the legacy of those who spread the Gospel in this influential Roman city.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
We will explore the breathtaking white travertines of Pamukkale, the natural wonder that provided the lukewarm waters referenced in the message to nearby Laodicea. As you walk barefoot on these "cotton castles," we will reflect on the biblical metaphors of purity and spiritual temperature. On this private experience, you can enjoy the thermal pools at your own pace, contemplating the beauty of God's creation while looking out over the Lycus Valley. It is a moment of both physical and spiritual refreshment before we conclude our day's journey.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Pamukkale
We will conclude our second day by checking into a thermal 5-star hotel in Pamukkale for a restful overnight stay. As this is a private tour, you will have the evening to relax in the healing thermal waters and reflect on the powerful biblical lessons from Philadelphia and Hierapolis. Staying in Pamukkale ensures we are perfectly positioned for our final day, starting with the important visit to the Church of Laodicea.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
The Path of the Beloved Disciple – From Laodicea to the Holy Sites of Ephesus
5 stops
11
Laodicea
We will begin our final day with a private visit to Laodicea, the last of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. As this is your personal pilgrimage, your expert guide will provide a deep theological reflection on the message to the "Lukewarm Church," explaining the biblical metaphors of hot, cold, and lukewarm waters. We will explore the grand archaeological site, including its ancient theaters, stadium, and the beautifully restored church ruins, at a pace that allows for prayer and contemplation. Standing among the remnants of its advanced water system, we will reflect on the spiritual challenge to be neither cold nor lukewarm, but fervent in faith. This visit serves as a powerful conclusion to our journey through the Seven Churches, offering a moment of final introspection before we leave the Lycus Valley behind and drive toward the apostolic heart of Ephesus.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket included
12
Virgin Mary's House
Following our spiritual reflections in Laodicea, we will head toward the coast to reach the sacred district of Selcuk. We will ascend Mt. Koressos to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene sanctuary where the Mother of Jesus is believed to have spent her final years. This stop offers a peaceful atmosphere for personal devotion as we explore the humble stone chapel and the sacred spring. Your expert guide will provide deep insights into the history of the site while ensuring you have ample time for quiet prayer and reflection at the Wall of Prayers. This is a dedicated moment for you to experience the tranquility of this mountain retreat at your own pace before we continue our journey to Ephesus.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
13
Ancient City of Ephesus
From the heights of Mt. Koressos, we will descend to the magnificent Ancient City of Ephesus, a cornerstone of the early Christian faith and the first of the Seven Churches. As we walk through the iconic Celsus Library and the Temple of Hadrian, your expert guide will bring to life the environment where St. Paul preached for three years and where the Apostle John later ministered. We will stand in the Great Theater, the very site of the silversmiths' riot against Paul’s teachings, and reflect on the courage of those who chose the "Way" in this powerful Roman capital. This personalized exploration allows you to linger among the ruins, connecting the biblical letters of the Ephesians and Revelation to the physical streets where history was made. It is a profound opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Apostles, experiencing the grandeur of this ancient city at your own contemplative pace.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Basilica of St. John
Our final sacred stop brings us to the Basilica of St. John, a majestic site constructed over the traditional burial place of the Apostle John. As we walk through the monumental Gate of Persecution and enter the ruins of this once-magnificent cathedral, your guide will share the story of the "Beloved Disciple" who was entrusted with the care of Mary and who later authored the Book of Revelation. We will stand near the site of his tomb, offering a perfect moment for final prayer and gratitude at the conclusion of our journey through the Seven Churches. From this historic hilltop, we will look out over the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and the city of Ephesus, contemplating the enduring legacy of the apostles who planted the seeds of faith in this land. This peaceful and reflective visit provides a sense of spiritual completion before we begin our journey back.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
15
After our final moments of reflection at the Basilica of St. John, we will begin our comfortable drive back toward the coast. Your guide and driver will ensure a seamless and timely transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB), coordinated perfectly with your flight schedule. This final leg of our journey provides a relaxed opportunity to discuss the spiritual highlights of the past three days and enjoy the last views of the Aegean landscape. We handle all the logistics to ensure your departure is as peaceful as the pilgrimage itself, leaving you free to reflect on the life-changing experiences and the sacred messages of the Seven Churches.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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