SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION
DAY 1 - ARRIVE ISTANBUL
DAY 2 - ISTANBUL
DAY 3 - ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE
Depart in the early morning from Istanbul and begin to explore the European side of the country, driving along the coastline of the Sea of Marmara. Visit the touching memorials of the Gallipoli Campaign, where Allied Forces and Turks suffered heavy casualties at the beginning of the First World War. Cross the famous Dardanelles Strait by ferry to Canakkale for an overnight stay.
DAY 4 - CANAKKALE - IZMIR
Start the day with a visit to the glorious lands of Priam, the city of love and wars - Troy. The next stop is the Acropolis of Pergamon where we explore the Temple of Trajan, the steepest theatre of the ancient world and the Altar of Zeus, which was referred to as “Satan’s Seat” by St. John. The last visit is to the Red Basilica before driving to Izmir for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 5 - IZMIR - KUSADASI
After a morning orientation in ancient Smyrna (Izmir), continue to Ephesus, a cradle of early Christianity where St. Paul preached for three years. Apart from the comprehensive ruins including an odeon, a massive theatre, a library and temples, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica and the Tomb of St. John. Have dinner and stay overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 6 - KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
DAY 7 - PAMUKKALE - BURSA
DAY 8 - BURSA - ISTANBUL
DAY 9
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
Upon arrival you will be greeted and accompanied to your hotel. In the evening you will attend a welcome cocktail and briefing of the tour led by your tour director. Dinner at the hotel.
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in old Constantinople, including the Sultan Ahmet's Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, where the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column are erected, the great church of Haghia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the majestic residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the Grand Covered Bazaar.
Continue to the ancient site of Laodicea, the city of rich people. Here Christianity spread rapidly by the presence of a large Jewish community. Then visit the ruins of Hierapolis and its hot thermal springs with its healing qualities.
In the morning discover Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia. See the Royal Road, the gymnasium and one of the oldest synagogues in the world. On the way, visit Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, and Thyatira, an old commercial centre. Continue to Bursa to have dinner and stay overnight.
Visit the Great Mosque of Sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt as well as the Silk Market in the City and then set out for ancient Nicaea (Iznik) to see the church of ST. Sofhia where the 1st and the 7th Ecumenical Councils were held. Drive back to Istanbul for a farewell dinner and overnight stay.
