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A land that is tied into so many important Biblical stories, Turkeys history is undeniably intertwined with early Christianity and on this tour of the Seven Biblical Churches, you will visit and explore for yourself these most wondrous places. including all Seven Churches of Asia Minor, The great cities of Ephesus and Hierapolis, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Throne of Satan. Walk through the ancient cities with their incredibly beautiful architecture, theatres, temples, civic buildings and baths, and let your imagination take you back in time to life as it once was. Visit the Temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world in Ephesus.
This tour will begin and end in Istanbul, with domestic flights and accommodation included.
What is included in the tour
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Accommodation
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Flights
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Guide
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Insurance
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Meals
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Additional Services
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Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
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Optional
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Additional Services
- Visit the Altar of Zeus.
- The ancient Lydian houses .
- The Temple of Artemis.
Day 1 Istanbul to Izmir
Today we will pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul and take you to the airport where you will fly to Izmir.
Upon arrival in Izmir, a member of our team will be waiting for you and will transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight Izmir.
Day 2 Pergamon - Thyatira - Smyrna
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Izmir
We begin the tour in Pergamon at the first of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. You will visit the Altar of Zeus, mentioned in the book of Revelations as the Throne of Satan, you will also see the Acropolis and the Red Court, and the incredible 10,000 seat amphitheatre which has the steepest seats of any ancient theatre, the library, estimated to contain over 200,000 volumes, rumoured to be the largest and most impressive and the rival of the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt.
In present-day Akhisar our next stop will be the Church of Thyatira. Famous for purple dyes, this commercial city had with strong links to both Sardis and Troy.
We will return to Izmir In the afternoon to visit the Church of Smyrna. We will also see the historic Clock Tower when we visit the Citadel of Lysimachos on Mount Pagus, built in the 4th century BC by commander Alexander the Great.
You will then return to your hotel in Izmir.
Day 3 Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea
This morning's pick up from your hotel in Izmir will take us to our first destination, the Church of Sardis.
Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and the city today is still evident from the well-preserved ruins of the gymnasium, the Persian Road, the ancient Lydian houses and the reconstructed synagogue.
It's then on to Alasehir and the church at Philadelphia, the youngest of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Here we see evidence of a Byzantine basilica along with some amazing 11th-century frescoes.
It's then time to travel to Pamukkale, where hot mineral waters from deep inside the earth find their way to the surface and cascade down steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites.
We will then continue to the ancient city ofHierapolis, where in 1AD St. Philip was martyred. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site and today you will be able to walk amoungst and explore it's necropolis, hot springs, almost intact amphitheatre and the Avenue of Tombs.
last last part of todays tour sees us in Eskihisar, atthe site of the Church of Laodicea, again there will be plenty of time to explore the Temple of Apollo, the Gate of Domitian,the Arcadian Way, the Plutonium, the theatre and the remains of a basilica.
At the end of today's tour we will take you to check into a hotel in Pamukkale.
Overnight Pamukkale.
Day 4 Ephesus Ancient City
Pick up from your hotel in Pamukkale.
The largest and the most important of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor was the church at Ephesus. The Gospel of John is widely thought to have been written here. The whole city is an incredible slice of history and there will be additional stops at the Temple of Artemis, a wonder of the ancient world, as well as the House of the Virgin Mary.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to Selcuk to check into your hotel.
Overnight Selcuk.
Day 5 Izmir to Istanbul
This morning we will say farewell, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Izmir airport, for your flight back to Istanbul. The tour ends in Istanbul.
