DAY 1: ISTANBUL TO IZMIR
Early morning pick up from your hotel and transfer to domestic airport. Flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, your local guide will take you to your hotel. An afternoon tour of Izmir (old Smyrna) includes a visit to the Church of St. Polycarp. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 2: IZMIR-HIERAPOLIS (PAMUKKALE)
Depart for Sardes to visit the Church of Sardes. Continue to Alasehir, home to the ancient Philadelphia Church. Continue Pamukkale, famous for its its lime cascade Roman spa. Finish the day in the ancient city of Hierapolis where you see the martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle. Overnight stay in Pamukkale.
DAY 3: HIERAPOLIS-KUSADASI
This morning, you visit the Churches of Laodicea and Colosea en route to Ephesus. Walk the streets of this excavated city where Apostle Paul ministered for 3 years and see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Diana. Also included are visits to the Thermal Baths and the Great Theatre. We stop at Aphrodisias before arriving at the beautiful harbor town of Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in the hotel overlooking the bay. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
DAY 4: KUSADASI-AYVALIK
This morning, you visit Thyatira, the smallest of the seven churches, for a short visit and the proceed to Pergamum. Visit the Asclepion (ancient healing center), stroll through Acropolis and visit the Archaeological Museum before driving to the coastal city of Ayvalik. Overnight stay in Ayvalik.
DAY 5: AYVALIK-ISTANBUL
Drive along the coast to Alexandria Troas where Apostle Paul had a vision for taking the gospel to Europe. Visit Troy, site of the great Greek legend of the Trojan horse. Drive to Istanbul with a stop at Bursa where Ecumenical Councils met. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 6: ISTANBUL
A morning city tour features including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome and a brief visit to the Topkapi Palace. Afternoon is free to explore the Grand Bazaar or Spice Market on your own. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
You will be taken to the airport for your flight home.
TOUR INCLUDES:
• Domestic flight from Istanbul to Izmir
• Domestic flight from Izmir to Istanbul
• 5 nights first class hotel accommodations sharing double occupancy
• Buffet breakfast and dinner daily.
• Sightseeing as shown with an expert English-speaking guide knowledgeable in Biblical history.
• All entrance fees.
• Airport transfers with meet-and-greet services.
• All local taxes for meals, accommodations and transportation.
