8 Days Turkey & Seven Churches Tour

• • • • After breakfast, we start a full-day tour of Istanbul. First, visit Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Next, drive to Hippodrome of Constantinople to see the Serpentine Column and Obelisk of Theodosius. Afterwards, visit Hagia Sophia, a museum showcasing Byzantine mosaics, and then the Blue Mosque, decorated with iconic blue tiles. Our last stop will be the Spice Bazaar before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

• • • Transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Arrive at Kayseri Erkilet Airport, meet your guide, and start the Cappadocia tour. Visit Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys, a popular landmark often seen in advertisements. Then head to Pigeon Valley, where people carved pigeon houses to support local agriculture. Afterwards, descend into Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest of over 200 underground cities. Overnight in a cave hotel.

• • • After breakfast, enjoy a second day private tour of Cappadocia. Walk through Devrent Valley, a lunar-like landscape with unusual rock formations, and see the best examples of fairy chimneys at Pasabag Valley. Visit Avanos, famous for pottery workshops. After lunch, explore Göreme Open Air Museum, with rock churches and frescoes from various centuries. Drive to Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the region, followed by Esentepe Viewpoint for panoramic photos. Transfer to Izmir airport for a late afternoon flight. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Today we visit Pergamon, one of the Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 1:11; 2:12). Explore the Acropolis, the steep theatre, the Altar of Zeus, called the “Throne of Satan” in Revelation, and the ancient library. Then visit the healing center of classical times at Asclepion of Pergamon. Continue to Thyatira, famous for purple dye and the home of Lydia (Acts 16:14). See the remains of a basilica and Roman architecture. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

• • Early departure to Sardis, present-day Sart, capital of ancient Lydia and a “dying church” (Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4). Visit the Temple of Artemis, Temple of Cybele, reconstructed synagogue, gymnasium, and remnants of the Royal Persian Road. Continue to Philadelphia, the only church not censured (Rev. 1:11; 3:7). Drive to Hierapolis, the “Cotton Fortress” with thermal waters, and visit the Martyrium of Apostle Philip (Col. 4:13). Finally, visit Laodicea on the Lycus, with its theatre, basilica, and ancient water system. Dinner and overnight in a thermal hotel.

• • Drive to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities. Visit the Basilica of St. John and see the ruins where Apostle Paul preached for three years. Walk marble streets to explore the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Great Theatre of Ephesus, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders. Visit the House of Virgin Mary before driving to Kuşadası for overnight.

• • Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport for your departure.