Istanbul and the Seven Churches of Revelation

Days 1 – 2 Istanbul

Arrive Istanbul and tour the city that spans two continents. View summer palaces of the Ottoman Sultans and Vexiers, the modern residences and the 15th century Rumeli Fortress as you cruise on the Bosphorus. Visit Topkapı Palace the famous Covered Bazaar.

Day 3 Istanbul

See fabulous mosaics and frescoes at Kariye Museum (St. Saviour in Chora) then continue to the great basilica of Hagia Sophia followed by the Blue Mosque

Day 4 Izmir

Fly to Izmir, site of the ancient city of Smyrna and the second of the Seven Churches of Revelation as told in the New Testament. Visit Mt. Pagos, the Roman Agora and the Archaeological Museum

Day 5 Pergamum/Thyatira

Full day excursion to Pergamum, third of the Seven Churches. See the Altar of Zeus, the precipitous theatre, the library and the gymnasium. Visit the Aesculepium, the hospital of the ancient world. Stop at Thyatira, site of the fourth of the Seven Churches, on the way back to your hotel.

Day 6 Ephesus/ Pamukkale

Full day visit to Ephesus, the site of the first of the Seven Churches; see the Basilica of St. John, the last home of the Virgin Mary, and wander through the impressive ruins of this ancient city. Drive through the Meander valley to the natural spa of Pamukkale for overnight.

Days 7 & 8 Laodicea/ Philadelphia/Sardis

Visit ancient Hierapolis before continuing to the last three of the churches from the Book of Revelation. Visit the ruins of Laodicea and Philadelphia, then drive to Sardis, capital of the Lydian kingdom. Return to Izmir for overnight.