Overview
Visit the seven biblical churches that paved the religion for centuries, now resting in the heart of Islamic Turkey taking off by Istanbul throughout the Aegean region.
Trip Highlights
- Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar.
- Izmir: Asia Minor; Acropolis and Asclepion, Temple of Trajan, Thyatira, Clock Tower, Altar of Zeus and Library of Alexandria.
- Akhisar: Asia Minor; Sardis, Temple of Artemis, Temple of Cybele
- Alasehir: Asia Minor; Philadelphia
- Pamukkale: Asia Minor; Hierapolis, Waterfalls, Laodicea and Martyrium of the Apostle Philip.
- Kusadasi: Asia Minor; The Virgin Mary House and Ephesus; Library of Celsus, Theatre, Temple of Aphrodite, Town Overlooks, The Apostle Paul, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Temple of Diana.
Itinerary
Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the
hotel. Istanbul’s original name is Byzantium then Constantinople. It is a fascinating city, which
actually crosses two continents: Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of bazaars, minarets,
mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to every one’s taste, museums, customs and
twelve million people. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast included)
Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Today we
wdiscover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. We visit St. Sofia, the (church of the
sacred wisdom), converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in
1453. We see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt. Then our next visit is the Blue
Mosque with its six minarets. Afternoon we will visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of
the Ottoman sultans, with its fabulous treasure chambers. After the lunch, Murtis Tour will take you to
the Grand Spice Bazaar, which has a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping.
Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish coffee, nuts
and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all natural olive oil, soaps
and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Transfer from hotel to Istanbul Airport for flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, we proceed 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. In the afternoon, we
enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and second one of the seven
Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l - 11). Smyrna is a
city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We ascend to Mount Pagus where we visit the
Citadel of Lysimachus, commander of Alexander the Great, erected in the 4th century BC. We will
also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight in Izmir.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
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. Then the Asklepion, famous medical center of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus,
which mentioned, as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the
Temple of Trajan. Moreover, 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. Overnight in Izmir.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Today we depart early in the morning to visit 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 ancient Lydian
kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis
and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored
gymnasium and 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. Lunch
break will be given en route.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 high arch and some 11th
century frescoes. 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. In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13], we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he
martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. Watch the sunset over the petrified waterfalls.
Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
(Breakfast,Llunch and Dinner included)
Today we depart early in the morning to visit Laodicea before continuing to Ephesus. Laodicea
(present name Denizli) yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1;
4:13–16]. We see the ancient theatre, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes.
We visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaeum, the
Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. After that drive to Ephesus to visit the ancient city
of Ephesus. 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 are still continue in
this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Temple of Artemis,
Ephesus ancient sites and Virgin Mary.
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
House of Virgin Mary where she spent her latest years. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast included)
Transfer to the Izmir airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time at
leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look
forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home
and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
Cost Includes
- Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Airport
- 3 nights’ hotel in Istanbul
- 2 nights’ hotel in Izmir
- 1-night hotel in Pamukkale
- 1-night hotel in Kusadasi
- 7 open buffet breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners
- Guided Istanbul City Tour
- Guided Smyrna and Thyatira Tour
- Guided Pergamum Tour
- Guided Sardis and Philadelphia Tour
- Guided Pamukkale Tour
- Guided Laodicea Tour
- Guided Ephesus tour
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach
- Professional English - speaking tour guides
- Return Izmir Airport transfer
- Hotel room taxes
- City Tax
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Insurance: All types
- Turkey entry visa
- Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
- Any other expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
- Tipping
- Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Izmir
- Domestic Flight tickets from Izmir to Istanbul
- PS: Domestic flight price for adult travellers is approximately Euros: 80,00 for one way and for under 2 years old, approximately Euros: 20,00 as an insurance policy.