Day 1 - Istanbul: (D)
Arrival at Istanbul airport and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 - Istanbul: (B, L, D)
Full day touring Istanbul visiting all its wonders, such as St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Cistern and Topkapi Palace, where we have lunch. Afternoon visit to the Kariye Museum (St. Saviour in Chora) and to the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3 - Istanbul - Troy - Troas - Canakkale:
(B, L, D)
In the morning we drive to Troy and visit this excavated site with its memories of the Exploits of Ulysses and Achilles. Lunch and then visit the Alexandria Troas which was founded by Antigonus and Lysimachus at the command of Alexander the Great and was visited at least twice by St. Paul. Drive to Canakkale for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - Canakkale - Pergamon - Thyatira - Izmir: (B, L, D)
After breakfast we drive to Pergamon to visit the Asklepion and the Acropolis, the Theatre, the Temple of Athena and the Altar of Zeus, St. John denounced it as throne of Satan in his reference to Pergamon church members. After lunch, continue to Thyatira where the members of this church were commended for their steadfastness against libertarianism, a constant threat to Christian church. Lunch. Drive to Izmir for dinner and overnight. |
Day 5 - Izmir - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea - Hierapolis: (B, L, D)
After breakfast, a short city tour of Izmir the ancient Smyrna and one of the oldest continued inhabited church of the revelation visiting mount Pagus where Polycarp was martyred. And then Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia, visit the Temple of Cybele and Diana (which later became a Church), the Synagogue and the Gymnasium. The position of Sardis as one of the Seven Churches identify it's varied religious significance. Then continue to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love founded during the reign of Attalus II. After lunch, drive to Laodicea, visiting the Odeon, the Theatre and the Gymnasium. Continue to Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight in Hierapolis (Pamukkale).
Day 6 - Hierapolis - Ephesus - Izmir:
(B, L, D)
In the morning, a visit to Hierapolis with its Necropolis, Baths, Theatre and St. Philips's Martyrium. We then drive to Ephesus, lunch and visits its well preserved ruins including the Theatre where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, the Library, the Odeon, the Double Church where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 and St. John Basilica. Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Izmir: (B)
Departure after breakfast. Transfer to the airport. |
