Adventures with Asbury

Sep 18 Fri Depart USA – Fly to IZMIR 

Sep 19 Sat Arrive Izmir Airport
Welcome to Izmir, Turkey! Our representative will meet you at IZMIR Airport with a “ASBURY UNIVERSITY-TUTKU” sign right after you exit the terminal building. Meet and transfer to your hotel in Izmir for check-in, dinner and overnight. (D)

Sep 20 Sun IZMIR FREE DAY AND ON YOUR OWN. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)

Sep 21 Mon Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna (Izmir)
We travel north to Pergamum which is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Turkey. Its attractions are hard to surpass: a 10,000-seat theatre on the side of the acropolis which is the steepest in the ancient world; the magnificently restored temple of Trajan; a library of 200,000 volumes second in size only to that in Alexandria; the base of the Altar of Zeus; the temple of Dionysus; and the medical center of Asclepius with its own theatre, library, underground tunnel and other buildings. John warned the church here that they were living in a place of “Satan’s throne” (Rev. 2:12-17). If time permits, we will stop briefly in the ancient city of Thyatira, where, due to the presence of the modern city of Akhisar, few archaeological remains have thus far been uncovered. John warned the church here about its toleration of a woman symbolically called Jezebel who was leading believers astray, causing them “to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:18-29). We return to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Sep 22 Tue Smyrna (Izmir), Sardis
Begin the day by driving up to Mt. Pagus (now called Kadifekale or “Velvet Castle”) which is the acropolis of ancient Smyrna from where we have a great view of the modern city of Izmir and its harbor. Here we think about John’s word of commendation for the Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in the faith despite persecution (Rev. 2:8-11). Then, we visit the Smyrna Agora. Our next stop is Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6). Here we see the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis, the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium and public baths, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. Overnight in Sardis. (B,D)

Sep 23 Wed Philadelphia, Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Morning visit to Philadelphia where much of this ancient city in an earthquake-prone area has either been destroyed or lies buried under the modern city. John wrote to the church here (Rev. 3:7- 13), commending them for their patience endurance in spite of persecution. Our next stop is Hierapolis. With its hot thermal springs well-known already in the ancient world for its medicinal qualities as well its spectacular white travertine terraces, Hierapolis remains just as popular with travelers today as it was in biblical times. Equally impressive, however, are the remains of the ancient city: the Arch of Domitian, a colonnaded street and marketplace, ancient baths, a 20,000-seat theatre built in 200 BC, the largest ancient graveyard in Anatolia containing over 1,200 tombs, tumuli and sarcophagi, and the Martyrium of St. Philip, a 5th century AD structure on the site where Philip—either the apostle or the evangelist (Acts 6:1-7; 21:8-9; Acts of Philip)—was believed to have been killed in AD 80. Overnight in one of the resorts of Pamukkale with thermal baths. (B,D)

Sep 24 Thu Laodicea, Colossae - Kusadasi
Our first stop is Laodicea. Although the excavation work is still in its early stages, Laodicea was a major city in Roman times, as is clear from not only the size of the ancient site but also its two theatres, stadium, aqueduct and major street lined with shops. Laodicea is not only the last of the seven churches to whom John directed the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22), but it also had a close relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13-15) and was the recipient of one of Paul’s now lost letters (Col. 4:16). Our second stop Colossae, this site has just begun excavations. Nevertheless, this is an important site for Christians to visit, since Paul sent here two letters: one to the church of Colossae and one to the rich Christian slave-owner Philemon, who hosted the Colossian church in his home. Drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Sep 25 Fri Ephesus - Kusadasi
Today will likely be the high note of the tour for most people, as we visit the most impressive biblical site of our trip: Ephesus. The former glory of this city can still today be easily appreciated from its wellpreserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses and theatres. Ephesus was also the site of the Artemis temple—one of seven wonders of the ancient world. There is the same theatre where some 24,000 citizens of Ephesus gathered shouting “Great is Artemis!” in a riot started in response to Paul’s ministry there. The apostle visited this city only briefly during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21) but returned during his third missionary journey for a much longer period of two years and three months (Acts 19:1-20:1). Timothy later served as pastor in this city during which time Paul wrote him two letters (1 & 2 Timothy). Some years later Ephesus served as the home base for the apostle John’s ministry from where he wrote a number of letters (1, 2, 3 John) and to which he sent the Book of Revelation. In addition to the ancient city, we will also visit the “slope houses” (the wealthiest homes in Ephesus that have been marvelously reconstructed), the Ephesus Museum, which houses several impressive items from this site, make a quick stop at Isa Bey Mosque and visit the Basilica of St. John. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Sep 26 Sat Patmos – Kusadasi
Early transfer to the Kusadasi port. After custom formalities embark on a private ferry to Patmos. Our one way ferry ride will take about 3 ½ hours. Arrive Patmos at around 11:00 am. Our Greek guide will meet us at Skala port, and then we will visit the Cave of Revelation and the Basilica of John. Bus back to the port where we will have free time for lunch. Then, we will take the ferry back to Kusadasi. We will arrive to our hotel in Kusadasi at around 7:00 pm. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Sep 27 Sun Izmir Airport – Departure
Transfer to Izmir Airport for flight back home. End of TUTKU services.

- 3 Nights at Kordon Cankaya Hotel Izmir or similar
- 1 Night at Lydia Thermal Hotel in Sardis or similar
- 1 Night at Doga Thermal Hotel Pamukkale or similar
- 3 Nights at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
- Daily breakfast and 8 dinners at the hotels
- Roundtrip ferry to Patmos
- All transportation by private AC Bus
- English Speaking, Government Licensed, Bible Oriented guide in Turkey
- All Entry fees to the sites and museums mentioned in the program
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary - Service charges and local taxes
- Tips to Tour Guide and drivers, $48 for the guide and $24 for the driver 

- International airfare arriving to IZMIR (ADB) and departing IZMIR (ADB)
- Lunches and Drinks (Bottled Water is included at dinners)
- Optional hot air balloon trip in Pamukkale ($150)
- Personal Expenses (Laundry, phone calls, all kind of insurances, etc)
- Travel and Health Insurances