The Seven Churches of Revelation

Full day excursion of Istanbul. Morning visit to Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area with the Obelisk of Theodosius. The Columness of Serpantine and Porphyro genetius. Lunch at a site restaurant. After lunch visit Yerebatan cistern. Overnight in Istanbul

We will take the early flight to Adana, ancient Cilicia, and drive straight to Tarsus, the birth place of St. Paul. During St. Paul’s time Tarsus was a university city surpassing Athens and Alexandria. Cicero was a governor here in 51-50 BC. and the romantic meeting between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony took place in Tarsus. Highlights here will be St. Paul’s well, tomb of Sardanapulus and Cleopatra’s Gate. Back to Adana for dinner and overnight

Drive to Bergama. (Pergamon) Visit of Asclepion one of the foremost medical centers of the ancient world. After having lunch on the way, visit of Thyatira (Akhisar) where the old Hellenistic plays and forums were staged. Back to hotel in time for dinner. Overnight in Izmir.

Early in the morning you will drive to Sardes one of the most picturesque areas of any of the churches. After lunch you will drive on to Hierapolis via Philadelphia (Alasehir) another of the churches mentioned in the Revelation of John, now a living city like Izmir and Akhisar (Thyatira). You will visit the ruins of Hierapolis founded by Eumentes II in 190 B.C. and overnight at a pleasant hotel where you relax and take a swim in the naturally warm pools. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Drive to Kusadasi. On the way visit of Aphrodisias and Laodicea. The present day visitor to Laodicea finds a large area littered with broken marble tops of the stone masonry walls. Aphrodisias is one of ancient towns which archeology today has brought to attention. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Kusadasi.

Full day excursion to Selcuk and Ephesus. Our tour begins with a visit to the little town of Selcuk, just outside of which lies the remains of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis, St. Jean’s Basilica Isa Bey Mosque. At the top of the hill on which the mosque lies is the citadel. Three kilometers from Selcuk the road branches off to Ephesus, set at the foot of mount Pion, visit of Double Church of Virgin and House of Virgin Mary. After your stroll through Biblical site of Ephesus your coach will take you back to your hotel in Kusadasi.

After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight.