8 Days Seven Churches Tour | Historical Turkey with Istanbul

Day 1: ARRIVAL & AIRPORT TRANSFER

Welcome to Istanbul!

Upon arrival, our driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to join our optional Dinner Cruise tour. 

Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2: EXPLORE OLD CITY

Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel & Lunch at the local restaurant are included

Day 3: JEWELS OF ISTANBUL & FLY TO IZMIR

Today, your itinerary includes visits to the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Spice Bazaar, and a Bosphorus boat trip:

• Rüstem Paşa Mosque: A 16th-century gem in Eminönü, known for its stunning Iznik tilework, designed by Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Rüstem Paşa.
• Spice Bazaar: One of Istanbul’s oldest markets, offering spices, herbal remedies, and delicacies. Located in Eminönü, it’s open on Sundays.
• Bosphorus Boat Trip: Cruise between Europe and Asia, passing landmarks like Beylerbeyi Palace and charming waterfront villas.
• Grand Bazaar: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets.

Overnight in Izmir

Breakfast at the hotel & Lunch at the local restaurant are included

After the tour, we will transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, a transfer will take you to your hotel.

Day 4: IZMIR & THYATIRA & PERGAMON

Start your Biblical adventure upon meting your guide at the hotel.

• Agora of Smyrna (Izmir): Begin your journey at the ancient Agora of Smyrna, a beautifully preserved Roman-era marketplace. Walk among its colonnades and vaulted chambers as your guide explains its significance as a bustling center of commerce and early Christian life.
• Thyatira (Akhisar): Explore the site of one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 1:11; 2:18-24). Famous as the hometown of Lydia—a devout worshipper of God and a successful merchant dealing in purple dye (Acts 16:14)—Thyatira is steeped in Christian heritage.
• Pergamon (Bergama): Savor a delicious lunch at a local eatery before diving into the history of the ancient Acropolis. Must-see landmarks include:
• The Pergamon Theatre, the steepest of its kind in the ancient world.
• The Altar of Zeus, mentioned in Revelation 2:12-16 as “The Seat of Satan.”
• The Red Basilica and the Asklepion (optional), an ancient center of medicine.

Conclude your day with a scenic drive back to Izmir, where you’ll settle into your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Overnight in Izmir

Breakfast at the hotel & Lunch at the local restaurant are included

Day 5: SARDIS & PHILADELPHIA & LAODICEA & PAMUKKALE

After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Izmir, starting with a visit to Salihli (Sardis), the former capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom in the 6th century B.C. Once described as a “dying church,” Sardis is home to several fascinating historical landmarks:

• The Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, later adapted into a Byzantine church.
• The beautifully restored Sardis Gymnasium and the reconstructed Synagogue.

Stop for a delightful lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Philadelphia (Alasehir), another of the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 1:11; 3:7). Notably, Philadelphia is the only church that received no rebuke. Visit the remnants of a Byzantine basilica, admired for its high arches and striking 11th-century frescoes.

Then set out to explore the breathtaking ancient city of Hierapolis in Pamukkale. Key highlights include:

• The Martyrium of Apostle Philip, marking the site of his martyrdom during the reign of Domitian.
• The Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the Roman Theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the extensive Necropolis.
• End your exploration with a relaxing stroll through Pamukkale’s famous white travertines, where thermal waters cascade down natural terraces.

Afterward, we travel to Laodicea, another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 1:11; 3:14). Explore its fascinating ruins, including the ancient theater, remnants of a basilica, and the intricate stone water pipes that once supplied the city.

End your day with a drive to Pamukkale, where you’ll enjoy dinner and unwind at a thermal hotel for the night.

Overnight in Pamukkale

Breakfast and Dinner at the hotel & Lunch at the local restaurant are included

Day 6: EPHESUS & ST. JEAN & HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY & KUSADASI

After breakfast, set off to explore the ancient city of Ephesus, with a picturesque drive (approximately 2.5 hours).

Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most prominent of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. This city holds deep historical significance, as it’s believed to be where the Gospel of John was written and where Apostle Paul spent three years preaching to the Ephesians, later addressing them in his epistle.

Pause for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before visiting two renowned sites:

The Temple of Artemis one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Basilica of St. John a historic monument honoring the Apostle John.

End the day with a visit to the tranquil House of the Virgin Mary, a charming stone house tucked away in the forested hills near Ephesus, believed to be her final residence.

Overnight in Kusadasi

Breakfast at the hotel & Lunch at the local restaurant are included

Day 7: AIRPORT TRANSFER & FLY TO ISTANBUL

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your midday flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is left free for you to relax or explore the vibrant streets of Istanbul at your own pace.

Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel is included

Fly back to Istanbul

Day 8: DEPARTURE & AIRPORT TRANSFER

After breakfast, our tour concludes and we say goodbye and transfer to the airport.

Breakfast at the hotel is included