8N9D SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE REVELATION, ISTANBUL, and CAPPADOCIA
(A Pilgrimage to Western Turkey)
Istanbul-Bursa-Philadelphia-Sardes-Izmir-Pergamon-Thyatira-Izmir-Smyrna-Ephesus-Kusadasi Laodicea-Hierapolis-Pamukkale-Konya-Cappadocia-Ankara-Istanbul
Day 01 Saturday
Istanbul Arrival-Bursa-Philadelphia-Sardes-Izmir
Arrival at Istanbul International Airport. Meet and greet with your guide. Proceed to Bursa and breakfast on the way. Bursa arrival and a visit to the Green Mosque and Tomb. Lunch at a local restaurant and proceed to Izmir with a visit to the tasteful Turkish Delights. Continue to visit Alasehir where the ancient Philadelphia Church (Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13) is located. Then proceed to Sardes (Sardes Revelation 3:1-6), the ancient capital of the Lydians, and visit the Church of Sardes all together with the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Izmir after the tour. Izmir arrival. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, L, D)
Day 02 Sunday
Izmir-Pergamon-Thyatira-Izmir
After having breakfast at the hotel, depart to the Santa Maria Rosario Church for your morning Sunday Mass. Then depart to visit Pergamon (Pergamon Revelation 2:12-17), the Acropolis, the Asclepion, and the Red Basilica. Lunch on the way and drive to Akhisar to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira (Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29 Acts 16:14) which was a commercial and agricultural center on the highway between Troy and Sardes. Proceed back to Izmir after the tour. Finalize the day with a visit to the Old Clock Tower, Konak Square, The Ancient Roman Agora, and the Old Elevator of Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, L, D)
Day 03 Monday
Izmir (Smyrna)-Ephesus-Kusadasi
After having breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to visit the Church of St. Polycarpe which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna (Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11), it symbolizes the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, and lunch at a local restaurant and departure for Ephesus. Continue to visit the unforgettable remains of Ephesus (Ephesus Revelation 1:11:2:1-7 Acts 18:19-28:19). Proceed to visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of Saint John. Continue to your Kusadasi hotel after the tour. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
Day 04 Tuesday
Kusadasi-Laodicea-Hierapolis-Pamukkale
After having an early breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Laodicea. Visit Eskihisar, ancient Laodicea (Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22). Lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Hierapolis (the cotton castle) one of the most spectacular sites. See the wonderful formations of the travertine and watch the cataracts falling into basins at the bottom of the mountain. Walk around the ancient city Hierapolis, the Monument, and Thermal Baths. See the architectural genius of the Theatre, the magnificently well preserved Necropolis and the world wide famous “Devil’s Hole”. The Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle is here. Continue to your Pamukkale hotel after the tour. You can also benefit from the hot spring pool of the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B, L, D)
Day 05 Wednesday
Pamukkale-Konya-Cappadocia
After having early breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Konya and lunch on the way. Konya arrival and visit to the Museum of Mevlâna Jalal-Ad Din also known as Rumi. Continue to Cappadocia with a visit to the Sultanhani Caravanserai before Cappadocia arrival. Cappadocia arrival and proceed to your hotel. The evening is free for leisure. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)
Day 06 Thursday
Cappadocia
(Optional hot air balloon tour) After having breakfast at the hotel, a visit to the underground city, Goreme Open Air Museum, Zelve and Pasabag Valley, and Uchisar Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to see the Camel Valley. Finalize the day with a beautiful sunset view at Red Valley. The evening is free for leisure. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)
Day 07 Friday
Cappadocia-Ankara-Istanbul