7 CHURCHES of Revelation_2

Meet your guide who will escort you to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight in Istanbul.

Replenishing with breakfast at the hotel, begin to the full day tour wandering in and around the gems of historical Istanbul. Start by the Hippodrome which once stood as one of the purest examples of Constantinople’s classical Byzantine origins. Today, it is the home of the famous Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column. Continue the experience with Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets and perfect dome, which is inspired from Saint Sophia. Next, visit the Basilica of Saint Sophia with its rich mosaic murals, colossal columns; a true world heritage survived until this day and still makes feel divine serenity. Having lunch, you will continue with the Underground Cistern built by Justinian in 535 and drive to the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora with breathtaking frescoes and mosaics from the 14th century, a remarkable example of Byzantine art. To complete the day, stroll within the Grand Bazaar, which was one of the earliest and most significant projects undertaken by Sultan Mehmet II following his conquest, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 - 400,000 visitors daily. Return to the hotel and overnight. (B)

After having breakfast, drive on to Canakkale along Gallipoli Peninsula. During WWI, the Battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula became a tragic site for all involved, with almost 200,000 fallen in 8 months. Start the tour on WWI Battlefields. In the afternoon, starting from Kabatepe War Memorial, you will see several memorials for both Turkish and ANZAC soldiers.  The sadness can still be felt around, and emotions are peaking even if you don’t even have any relatives laying there. Crossing the Dardanelles, arrive to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B – D)

Leave early in the morning for an expedition to the legendary city of Troy. Explore and imagine the ancient city of Homer's "Iliad." Depart towards Izmir for a tour of the Greco-Roman city of Pergamum (Rev2:12-17). Explore the remains of the Acropolis and see the temples of Athena and Dionysus. Drive to the modern town of Akhisar, on the site of the old Lydian city of Thyatira. This was one of the towns where Christianity spread rapidly and it was one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation (Rev. 1:11;2:18-29).Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Izmir. (B – D)

Breakfast at hotel and visit Church of St.Policarp symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse before heading to Sardis the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia (Rev. 3:1-6). Drive to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) the seat of a Christian bishopric during Byzantine times, also referred to as the New Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pamukkale. (B – D)

Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the thermal springs with calcium rich water creating shallow white basins and twisted stalagmites. You head to Laodicea Ad Lycum on the south bank of the Lycus River, one of the Seven Churches addressed by St. John in the Book of Revelation (Rev.3:14-22).  Drive to Kusadasi. Diner and overnight. (B – D)

After breakfast, you will visit Ephesus one of the Seven Churches in Revelation (Rev. 1:11). The highlights are: the Double Church where in 431 the Third Ecumenical Council was held, the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Theatre and the Temple of Artemis. Continue to the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John “The Evangelist”.  Return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay. (B – D)

Transfer to Izmir airport for your flight back home via Istanbul. (B)