RELIGIOUS GROUPS
CHR 001 - SEVEN HOLY CHURCHES
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL-ISTANBUL-AYVALIK
Arrıval Istanbul, drive to Ayvalık. On the way visit Troy. Lunch will be served in a restaurant by the Canakkale Strait. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2 : AYVALIK-PERGAMUM-THYATIRA-IZMIR
After breakfast drive to Pergamon,the ancient city which located on a hill. Visit the Asklepion and the theatre which has a perfect acoustics, built into the hillside and also visit the ruins of the Altar of Zeus an ancient library and the lower part of Pergamon which is now called Bergama, where the largest building of Roman periods located and known as The Red Basilica or The Red Court, built 2nd century AD. After lunch in a local restaurant in Bergama, drive to Thyatira. Visit the ruins of an ancient Temple, a colonnaded road and a large Church. Drive to Izmir.Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 3 : IZMIR-EPHESUS-KUSADASI
After breakfast drive to Ephesus which is the most impressive archeological site in Turkey. It was the center of worship for the Greek Goddess Artemis. We will see the House of Mary, the Library of Celsus, The Temple of Hadrian and a large Theatre. It's where the Apostle Paul was swept up into a riot as described in Acts 19:21-41. Tradition says that Apostle John came to live near the town of Selçuk where is located the Church of St. John. Lunch will be served enroute in Selçuk. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 4 : KUSADASI-HIERAPOLIS-LAODICEA-HIERAPOLIS
After breakfast continue to Pamukkale. One the way visit Aphrodisias and Laodicea (Laodikya) which has a large area littered with broken marble, tops of stone masonry walls, the theatre and the Stadium. Lunch will be served in Aphrodisias.Then continue to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), famous for its natural hot spring waters.
DAY 5 : HIERAPOLIS-PHILADELPHIA-SARDIS-IZMIR
After breakfast visit the Ancient Hierapolis and then drive to Philedelphia, the least distinguished of the cities of Seven Churches with very few ruins visible now. Ancient Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love is now called Alasehir which has thick Byzantine walls that defended the city in the Middle Ages.The most interesting ruins are a Byzantine basilica built of brick with a high arch and frescoes. The city was destroyed in 17 and 23 AD because of earthquakes, but rebuilt by Roman Emperor Tiberius. Visit also Sardis(Sart) which is one of the most picturesque areas of any of Seven Churches. It is set upon a steep hill surrounded by an impregnable citadel. The city is sprawled below the citadel where there was a famous temple of Artemis dating back to 400 B.C. Recent excavations have uncovered a synagogue, the last meters of The Royal Road from Susa to Sardis and a gymnasium. Lunch enroute.Dinner and overnight at hotel in Izmir.
DAY 6 : IZMIR-ISTANBUL
Izmir is the 3rd largest city in Turkey having been built on the site of the ancient Greek town of Smyrna which includes one of the Seven Churches. Some of the ruins of the old stadium and ancient agora can be seen on a hill to the west of the city. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. In the afternoon flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 : ISTANBUL
After breakfast a comprehensive city tour starts including St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Chora Church, Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar. Lunch and dinner will be taken at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 8 : ISTANBUL-DEPARTURE
After breakfast drive to the airport for the homebound flight.