DAY 01/ ISTANBUL – ARRIVAL – DOMESTIC FLIGHT TO IZMIR

Arrive Istanbul, further domestic flight to Izmir. Your tour guide will meet you after the baggage claim with a “KANER TOURISM” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel in city center. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02/ EPHESUS – KUSADASI

After breakfast you will leave Izmir and drive to Ephesus, the first of the Seven Churches, for a visit. You will see the amazing ruins of this great city: the theater, the library, the Temple of Hadrian and the newly excavated Roman Terrace Houses. You will also visit the Cave Church of Paul and Thecla which is closed to the public. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 03/ KUSADASI – TRALLES – NYSA – MAGNESIA – KUSADASI

Two early cities where Christianity flourished in the first century. Ignatius wrote letters to churches in these cities on his way to martyrdom. Then visit the new Aydin Archaeological Museum. Continue the journey to the ancient city of Nysa with its beautiful library, theater and odeon. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 04/ KUSADASI – PRIENE – MILETUS – APHRODISIAS – PAMUKKALE

Drive south to visit the Greco-Roman site of Priene. Then, visit Miletus the site of the theater where Paul spoke to Ephesian elders. Then, drive to Aphrodisias, which is excavated by the New York University. See the Agora, Theater, Stadium, and Hadrian Baths. Then visit the Aphrodisias Museum. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

DAY 05/ COLOSSAE – LAODICEA – HIERAPOLIS – PAMUKKALE

After breakfast you will drive to unexcavated Colosse (Paul’s letter to the Colossians) on the foothills of Mount Honaz. Then, you will continue to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Finally, you will visit Hierapolis where you will visit the monuments, thermal baths and the theater with its well preserved stage and Philip’s Tomb. Dinner and overnight will be in Pamukkale.

DAY 06/ PHILADELPHIA – SARDIS- IZMIR

After breakfast you will travel to Philadelphia, now called Alasehir. We’ll see remains of a Byzantine basilica as well as some eleventh century frescoes. Philadelphia and Smyrna were the only two churches among the Seven about which nothing bad was said by John. From there we’ll travel to Sardis  one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches. You’ll see the remains of the Temple of Artemis as well as a small Byzantine church. Finally, you will proceed to Izmir (ancient Smyrna), one of the Seven Churches and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world. You’ll check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 07/ THYATIRA – PERGAMUM – ASSOS

Drive to Akhisar to visit the remains of the Thyatira church. Drive to Bergama which is the site of ancient Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You will visit the Acropolis there and see the impressive theater, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient healing center. Continue to Assos for dinner and overnight.

DAY 08/ ALEXANDRIA TROAS – TROY – BURSA

Visit the panoramic Temple of Athena in Assos and the Temple of Apollo Smintheon at Gulpinar. Continue to Odun Iskelesi to visit the site and the port of Alexandria-Troas where Paul raised the boy, Eutychus. Paul visited this area at least twice. Then, visit the legendary city of Troy, and see the replica of the wooden horse. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

DAY 10/ NICAEA –IZNIK – ISTANBUL

Two ecumenical councils were held here: the First Ecumenical Council of 325 and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. Visit the ruins of the St. Sophia Church where the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held. In the afternoon, drive to Istanbul, the only city in the world spanning two continents; transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY11/ ISTANBUL CITY TOUR

Istanbul Full day Istanbul tour; visit Hippodrome Square, Hagia Sophia Church, Archaeological Museum, St Irene Church, Underground Cistern. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12/ ISTANBUL CITY TOUR

Istanbul Visit the Yedikule fortress, and Chora Church in the morning. Then, visit the Patriarchate in Istanbul. Drive to Bophorus strait to visit the Rumeli Fortress. This evening, we gather for a farewell dinner.

DAY 13/ TRANSFER TO AIRPORT