Seven Churches of Revelation and Istanbul

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and start your day with some sightseeing along the Bosporus, formerly Constantinople and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Here you can visit the Hagia Sophia basilica, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian.

Continue to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet under the orders of Sultan Ahmet I, better known as the Blue Mosque. Follow on to the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of many chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life during the Roman era. Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Before lunch pay a visit to Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops.

After lunch, proceed to Topkapi Palace, the maze of opulent buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. End of the tour.

Return to the hotel for an overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast check out the hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport for Izmir flight. Upon arrival to Izmir Airport, we will start our day with visiting ancient Smyrna; poor and persecuted, the church at Smyrna suffered amidst prosperity for its refusal to worship the Roman Emperor. This proved to be the last stronghold of Christianity in Asia Minor. It is the home of the great second-century Bishop Polycarp who was burned alive at the age of eighty-six.

Continue to Pergamum; a most memorable experience will be Pergamum, with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “where Satan’s seat is”, a reference to the altar of Zeus, where we pause for reflection on the fulfillment of Scripture. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk through the Asclepion, the famous medical center of antiquity.

End of the day we will check in the hotel overnight in Izmir.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we will check out the hotel and depart for the visit of Thyatira; was once a busy trading center and famous for dyeing of purple clothes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). Then we will continue to Sardis, another, of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead”(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. You will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue.

Finally, we will visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev.3: 12) Today, not much is left to mark the spot. You will see an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine Basilica.

End of the tour will check in the SPA hotel to enjoy the thermal pools, Turkish baths, sauna, etc… and overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast at hotel, we will check out and visit of Hierapolis; an ancient city of pagan cults, Hierapolis or “holy city” which was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip lived and is said to be buried here. Pamukkale, or “cotton castle” is a spa and resort center with its hot springs and cascading limestone pools. Col. 4:12-13.

After lunch, we will continue to Laodicea. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the seven churches, (Rev. 3: 14-22) were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In a famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock….” Today there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. You can have a chance to witness the newest excavations in Laodicea.

End of the tour we will drive to Kusadasi (2,5 hours) to check in the hotel. Kusadasi was a much-frequented place for birds during the seasonal migrations, during Ottoman reign it was named Kusadasi (Bird Island). Bird Island is connected to the mainland with a mole. Centuries ago, the island was used for securing the shores & for preventing attacks from the sea.

Today, it is an ideal place to watch the panoramic view of the city & the approaching & departing cruise liners. You can also sip your drink at one of the cafes on the island or shop at the nearby local markets. You will have an overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast we will start a full day tour of Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11).

In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. St. Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief – during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21). His Second visit lasted about three years-during hid missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke’s account of worship of Diana appears in Acts 19: 34-35. The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators. Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. Continue to visit the Basilica of St. John; early tradition associated John, the disciple of Jesus, and the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation with the city of Ephesus. As early as the 4th or 5th century a Christian church was built over a simple grave, supposedly the grave of St. John. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian had an impressive domed basilica built to replace the earlier church. The church, known as the Church of St. John the Theologian, is located on Ayasuluk Hill, which can be reached by a street leading up from the center of the town called Selcuk. Visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city.

End of the tour, return to the hotel for an overnight in Kusadasi.

Depending on your flight time, check out & transfer to Izmir Airport (1 hour) for your Istanbul flight and connect you to your homebound flight.