Istanbul & Seven Churches Tour *by Plane

Mini Group: Saturday
Private: Every Day ( Please contact us for private tour rates )

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport, Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name signed and a private transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2 : Full-Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)

09.00 a.m. After breakfast, pick up from the hotel and Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman.

We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Full-Day Istanbul Tour – Izmir (Breakfast – Dinner)

08.30 a.m. After breakfast, pick up from the hotel. First, visit Grand Bazaar and then transfer to the port for a Boat trip on the Bosphorus, a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. Afternoon visits the Underground cistern and transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 4: Pergamum – Thyatira – Izmir (Breakfast – Dinner)

After breakfast we drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepion, the famous medical Centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.

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.

Before we check in at the hotel in Izmir, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. Smyrna is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check-in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis (Breakfast – Dinner)

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 restored the gymnasium and the 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. 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 a high arch and some 11th-century frescoes. Continue to visit Laodicea. The city was 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.

Laodicea is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position. 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. Check-in at a hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.

Day 6: Ephesus – Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner)

Drive to Ephesus and visit 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. We visit the Basilica of St. John. Visit The House of the Virgin Mary before driving to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7: Izmir – Istanbul (Breakfast)

After breakfast and transfer to Izmir airport for a noon flight to Istanbul. Arrival and our representative will transfer you to your hotel. Afternoon Free in Istanbul to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 8: Home ( Breakfast)

Transfer to Airport to connect to your international flight and leave Turkey.

The end of our services.

Tour Includes:

✅ 7 nights accommodations based on bed and breakfast
✅ 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners
✅ Professional licensed English-speaking guide
✅ Private airport transfers
✅ Transportation with last model private A/C Minibus
✅ All entrance fees to the sites stated above the itinerary
✅ Istanbul – Izmir – Istanbul flight ticket