The Seven Churches of Revelation and Cappadocia

May 19 Wed Departure from Boston - Fly to Istanbul.

May 20 Thu Arrive to Istanbul Airport

Your tour guide will meet you at Istanbul Airport after the customs and baggage claim, holding a sing ‘GordonCollege/TUTKU’sign. Meet and greet, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (D)

May 21 Fri Istanbul

Morning drive to Istanbul old city. Visit the famous Hagia Sophia (then Hagia Irene) where Second Ecumenical Council took place in 381. Proceed to Istanbul Archaeological Museum afternoon. Visit St. Chora Church. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

May 22 Sat Istanbul - Nicaea - Bergama

Drive to Nicaea (modern Iznik). Visit Hagia Sophia Church, Constantines’s Palace, Roman Theater, city walls and gates, archaeology museum, original city street, funerary obelisk. Drive to Bergama for Dinner and overnight in Bergama. (B,D)

May 23 Sun Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir

Drive to Pergamum (Rev. 1:11; 2:12-17), modern Bergama, ancient capital of its own kingdom and capital of the province of Asia in the Roman era. Built on a cone-shaped hill, rising 350 mt. above the surrounding valley, we visit the Acropolis and explore the remains of the Temple of Trajan and the famous Altar of Zeus and more. Visit the Asclepion and then drive to Thyatira, modern Akhisar, recipient of the longest letter in Revelation (Rev. 2:18-29) and home to Lydia (Acts 16:14), noted for its many trade guilds. Discover the remains of a Roman road and a Byzantine basilica. Drive to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

May 24 Mon Sardis - Philadelphia - Hierapolis

Morning drive to Sardis (Rev. 1:11; 3:16), capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and city of great wealth and fame. Visit largest ancient Synagogue of the Jewish Diaspora, the Gymnasium, the Temple of Artemis, and the remains of a Byzantine Church. Then drive to Philadelphia (Rev. 1:11; 3:7-13), modern Alasehir, a city of commercial importance conveniently located at the gateway to the high central plateau of Roman province of Asia. Enjoy a short visit of the remains of a 6th century Byzantine Church. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Hierapolis, an ancient town located at the top of the hot spring water cascades where a church was established by Paul’s associate Epaphras (Col. 4:13) and where the Apostle Philip was martyred. Visit the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, and the Martyrium of Philip. Then enjoy the white cascades and hot water sources of Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight at Spa hotel near Hieropolis (B,D)

May 25 Tue Colossae - Laodicea - Aphrodisias - Kuşadasi

Morning drive to the unexcavated site of Colossae, situated on the southern bank in the upper Lycus River Valley about 110 miles east of Ephesus. Established by Paul’s associate Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4:12), this church was addressed in a letter by Paul (Col. 1:2). Then visit near-by Laodicea, also addressed in a letter by Paul (Col. 4:16, apparently lost) as well as in the Book of Revelation (1:11; 3:14-22). Wealthiest city of Phrygia during Roman times, Laodicea was widely known for its textile industry and medical school. Explore recently excavated Roman streets, temples, theaters, fountains and churches from different eras. Drive to to Aphrodisias to visit the 30,000-capacity ancient stadium and continue to Kuşadası for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

May 26 Wed Ephesus - Kuşadasi

Morning drive to Ephesus, one of Revelation’s seven churches (Rev. 1:11; 2:1-7) where Paul spent three years preaching and teaching (Acts 18:19-21; 19:1-20; 20:31) and to which Paul addressed a letter (Eph. 1:1), possibly circular. Apollos also had an effective ministry there (Acts 18:24-26). One of the most impressive archaeological sites of the world. Discover amazing structures of the city, including the temple of Domitian, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, facade of the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater, the scene of a great riot recounted in Acts 19:23-41. Visit the Cave of Paul and Thecla with special permission. Finish the day at St. John’s Basilica, burial site of John the Apostle. Back to Kuşadası for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

May 27 Thu Izmir - FLY KAYSERI

Early morning flight to Kayseri. Drive to Ihlara canyon, walking through the canyon via the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema. Set by the Melendiz River this is known as the “Valley of the Sky”. Churches carved from the rocks form a gallery of early paintings that are remarkable for their accuracy. Check into to your hotel for overnight. (B,D)

May 28 Fri Cappadocia - FLY Istanbul

**OPTIONAL 05:30 Hot Air Balloon Ride. Drive back to your hotel and have breakfast. Your guide and driver will pick you up for a full day program; visit the Goreme Open-Air-Museum with its fairy chimneys and dozens of cave churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible, the Pashabag Valley, the natural Citadel of Uchisar, and Avanos pottery village. Visit the underground city of Kaymaklı (built by the early Christians to evade Roman Armies), visit Zelve Valley. Drive to Kayseri airport for flight to Istanbul at 18:45 arriving 19:50. Transfer on your own to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel near the airport. (B,D)

May 29 Sat Departure

Transfer on your own from the hotel to ISTanbul airport for flight home.

• One group arrival transfer on May 20 in Istanbul and 1 group departure transfer from Kayseri May 28
• Domestic one-way flight from Izmir to Kayseri May 27
• Domestic one- way flight from Kayseri to Istanbul May 28
• 2 nights at Kent Hotel in Istanbul or similar
• 1 night at Labell Hotel in Bergama or similar
• 1 night at Kordon Cankaya Izmir or similar
• 1 night Doğa Thermal hotel Pamukkale or similar
• 2 nights Korumar Hotel Kusadası or similar
• 1 night Barcelo hotel Cappadocia or similar
• 1 night park Inn Istanbul Airport hotel or similar
• Daily breakfast and 10 dinners
• Entrance fees to all sightseeing as per itinerary
• English–speaking licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary
• Transfers & transportation by private A/C motor-coach
• Service charges and local taxes

• Roundtrip International airfare arriving to Istanbul (IST) May 20 and departing Istanbul (IST) May 29
• All lunches and Drinks (other than bottled water)
• All personal expenses, Travel and Health Insurances, any
• ther item not mentioned above
• Tips to tour guide suggested $60 per person and drivers $30 per person