2010 Tours

• Classic Turkey
• Eastern Turkey & the Black Sea
• Biblical Journey Through Turkey
• Timeless Egypt
• Treasures of Jewish Heritage
• Classic Aegean
• Fairytale Land of Germany
• Discover the Balkans
• The Fertile Crescent
• Splendors of Persia
• Silk Road Treasures
• Textiles & Crafts of Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
• Classic Morocco
• Seven Churches of Revelation
• The Footsteps of St. Paul and the Seven Churches of Revelation
• Walk & Sail
• Jewels of Central Asia
• Treasures of Caucasus, Armenia, Georgia and Eastern Turkey
• Terms & Conditions

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Day 1 ~ Depart Home
Depart USA. Overnight flight to Turkey.

Day 2 ~ Izmir
Arrive Istanbul, transfer to domestic flight to Izmir airport. Once in Izmir we will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. Overnight in Izmir

Day 3 ~ Ephesus
We spend the day exploring Izmir, ancient Smyrna the birthplace of Homer and one of the oldest continually inhabited churches of the Revelation. In the afternoon we continue to Ephesus where one of the Churches of Revelation was located. Ephesus was also the city where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 AD. Overnight in Selcuk (Ephesus)

Day 4 ~ Ephesus
Today we will explore the fascinating Hellenistic and Roman city of Ephesus including its beautiful theater where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, Celsus Library, and Double Church where the third Ecumenical Council was held, Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of ancient world, and intriguing ruins. In the nearby charming town of Selcuk, we will tour the Museum of Ephesus where, among many artifacts, we will see a well-known statue of Artemis and we will visit St. John Basilica, beautifully located in the fortress overlooking the town. Overnight in Selcuk (Ephesus)

Day 5 ~ Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
En route to Pamukkale we will visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. This interesting site has very impressive ruins and beautiful marble statuary. We continue to ancient Hierapolis, Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale

Day 6 ~ Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
We will visit Hierapolis with its Necropolis, Baths, Theater and St. Philip's Martyrium. Continue to Laodicea with its Odeon, Theater and Gymnasium, and Colossae, home of citizens to whom St. Paul addressed his letters. Overnight in Pamukkale

Day 7 ~Pergamum
This morning we drive to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love founded during the reign of Attalus II. Then we continue to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia with its impressive Roman ruins, synagogue, gymnasium-bath complex, and Temple of Artemis, a temple of Cybele and Artemis (which later became a Church). The position of Sardis as one of the Seven Churches identifies its religious significance. Sardis is known as the residence of Croesus of "rich as Croesus" fame, and also the place where gold and silver coins first appeared. After Sardis we continue on to Thyatira where the members of this church were commended for their steadfastness against libertarianism, a constant threat to Christian church. Finally we head to Pergamum. Overnight in Pergamum

Day 8 ~Pergamum
We will spend the day exploring Pergamum, which has an interesting ancient medical center and acropolis and is especially famous for its library, once one of the most extensive in the world. Pergamum is also famous for the origination of parchment, from which we derive our modern writing paper. Asclepion, the medical center dedicated to healing god Asclepius, Serapis Temple which later became one of the Churches of Revelation; St. John denounced it as the throne of Satan in his reference to Pergamum church members. Overnight in Pergamum

Day 9 ~ Canakkale
Today we will continue our drive along the northern Aegean coast, stopping at Assos a very important city during the 4th Century BC; it was a well-known center for the study of philosophy and natural sciences. Aristotle, who later became a tutor of Alexander the Great, taught there. The city was protected by a magnificent wall, one of the most impressive fortifications in Anatolia. The view from the Temple of Athena is particularly beautiful. At the end of his Third Journey St. Paul sailed from here via Greek Islands Lesbos and Samos to Miletus. Then we visit the Alexandria Troas which was founded by Antigonus, a general of Alexander the Great, around 310 BC. During his Second Journey St. Paul accompanied by Silas and Timothy visited the city. Finally we will visit Troy, the site of Homer's classic epic "the Iliad" and where nine different layers of civilization have been uncovered and partially excavated. Overnight in Canakkale

Day 10 ~ Bursa
Bursa, which was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and has a history going back to 200 BC, is considered by many to be the birthplace of modern Turkish culture. It is well-known for its beautiful silk cloth and handicrafts and is an important manufacturing center both for silk and cotton. We will visit the bazaars that produce both silk and the beautiful cotton cloth for which Turkey is so famous. The surrounding area is full of gardens and orchards, which is why it is often called Yesil Bursa (Green Bursa). The Yesil Cami (Green Mosque) is a fine example of Ottoman architecture, and the Tomb of Mehmet I is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Turkey. Overnight in Bursa

Day 11 ~ Istanbul
On the way to Istanbul we will stop in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), famous for its beautiful tiles and as the site where the Nicaean Creed originated in 325 and where the Eighth Ecumenical Council took place in St. Sophia in 787. Today's Iznik is a small and charming farming community with impressive ancient city walls. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 12 ~ Istanbul
This morning we will visit St. Sophia, the largest Christian church in the world for more than 1,000 years. Then we will take a drive following the ancient city walls of Istanbul to the Chora Museum, which has the most beautiful Byzantine mosaics in Turkey. Afterward we will have a Bosporus cruise between the continents, seeing the fabulous palaces and villas that hug the shoreline. Later we will tour the old and new city, including the Galata and Pera regions. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 13 ~ Depart Istanbul
This morning we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

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