7 CHURCHES of Revelation

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 the day with a visit to Hagia Sophia, a marvel of world architecture. Continue the experience with Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets and perfect dome, which is inspired from Saint Sophia. Next, visit 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. In the afternoon, continue with Serefiye Cistern, which was built during the reign of Theodosius II (408 - 450) one of the oldest water structures in the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul. 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. 

After breakfast, departure to ancient Nicaea (Iznik), a city with a prestigious past that preserves many Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Capital of Bithynia until the founding of Nicomedia (Izmit), Nicaea is famous for holding the Ecumenical Council where Arianism was condemned. Visit of the church of Santa Sofia. Continuation to Bursa, capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit of the Great Mosque, the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bursa. (B – D)

Breakfast and departure 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. Our guide will delve into the importance of these cities for Christianity by visiting the remains of the church of San Juan. Continue to Pamukkale. Upon arrival, visit of the ruins of the ancient city Hierapolis, its name means "Sacred City" due to the cult of its ancient inhabitants to the "Great Mother" (Mary). The necropolis is very large, with hundreds of stone tombs. At about 500 meters we will find the Acropolis, totally destroyed by seismic movements. Its theater, rebuilt by the Italians, is excellent. Dinner at hotel and overnight. (B – D)

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. Dinner at hotel 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”.  Transfer to Izmir for dinner and overnight stay. 

After breakfast depart to Pergamum (Rev2:12-17)., one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse of the first century. Visit to the Acropolis and Asclepion, the first sanctuary of mental medicine, from the 4th century BC. We will visit a complex made up of the library, the amphitheater, public latrines, a tunnel used in psychotherapies, a medical school... Transfer to Izmir. Dinner and overnight. (B – D)

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