The Seven Churches of Revelation and Patmos

Jul 27 Sun Departure from Houston- Fly to Istanbul.

Jul 28 Mon Arrive to Istanbul Airport
Your tour guide will meet you at Istanbul Airport after the customs and baggage claim, holding a sing ‘House/TUTKU’sign. Meet and greet, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (D)

Jul 29 Tue Istanbul (Constantinople)
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 see the Blue Mosque from the outside. Enjoy the Grand Bazaar. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Jul 30 Wed Fly Izmir - Smyrna/Izmir
Visit Smyrna, modern Izmir (Rev.1:11; 2:8-11), home to the secondcentury bishop Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, and place of Polycarp’s martyrdom. Visit ancient Agora (marketplace) and discover the remains of a two storied structure with amazing arches. Then visit St. Polycarp Church, largest Catholic church of the city. Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Jul 31 Thu Pergamum-Thyatira-Izmir
Morning 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. Visit the Acropolis and explore the remains of the Temple of Trajan and the famous Altar of Zeus and more. Visiat 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)

Aug 1 Fri 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)

Aug 2 Sat 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) 

Aug 3 Sun Patmos Island
Early morning ferry cruise to Patmos, where John received the Revelation (Rev. 1:9). Arrive at the port city, Skala. Meet your local Greek guide. Then start a visit of the island starting from Church of the Apocalypse then drive to Monastery of the island. Free time for lunch before cruising back to Kuşadası. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kuşadası. (B,D)

Aug 4 Mon Miletos-Didyma-Priene-Kuşadasi
Drive to Miletos, visit the famous theater and the remains of the site. Continue to Didyma to visit the well preserved Temple of Apollo. Afternoon proceed to Priene, a Greco-Roman city visited by Alexander the Great and is located near the Mykale mountains. Back to Kuşadasi for Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Aug 5 Tue 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)

Aug 6 Wed Transfer to Izmir airport for departure to Kayseri Arrive to Kasyeri
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)

Aug 7 Thu Cappadocia
**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. Return to hotel for overnight. (B,D)

Aug 8 Fri Cappadocia
Pick up from hotel transfer to Kayseri airport for TK2011  08:50 /10:30 flight to Istanbul. Pick up and transfer to Istanbul hotel. Free afternoon for exploration. (B,D)

Aug 9 Sat Departure
Hotel pick up for transfer to airport for departure flight from Istanbul to USA. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION PROGRAM

Aug 7 Thu Kayseri - FLY IZMIR
After the Cappadocia tour program and dinner at hotel. Transfer to Kayseri airport for flight XQ9239 at 10:50 pm/12:25 AM+1.  Transfer to Izmir hotel for overnight. (B,D)

Aug 8 Fri Izmir - Chios - Izmir
Early morning departure for Cesme marina, where the ferryboat to Chios Island will depart at 9:00 am.  After passport control meet you guide and enjoy a tour of the island including the Stone of Homer (Daskaloptra).  Lunch on your own. Depart Chios at 6:00 pm ferry boat return to Cesme.  Transfer back to Izmir Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Aug 9 Sat FLY Gaziantep
Early morning flight to Gaziantep XQ 9128 at 6:00am/7:20am.  Meet your guide and enjoy a full day tour.  Visit the new Zeugma mosaic museum in Gaziantep and drive to visit the Zeugma site on the Euphrates River.  Drive to Şanlıurfa for dinner and overnight. (D)

Aug 10 Sun Gobeklitepe - Şanlıurfa - FLY Istanbul
After breakfast drive to visit Gobeklitepe, ancient Neolithic site 9500 BC. Return to Şanlıurfa for lunch and visit the Archaeology Museum.  Walk through Balıklı (fish lake) park, which is known in legends as the place where Nimrod threw Abraham into a fire.  Free time for dinner outside and transfer to Şanlıurfa for departure to Istanbul TK 2247 8:25 pm/10:35 pm.  Overnight at the Istanbul airport Yotel hotel. (B)

Aug 11 Mon Departure
Depart on your own times in IST airport for departure home. (B)

• Domestic flights from Istanbul to Izmir and Izmir to Kayseri and Kayseri to Istanbul
• 2 night at Sheraton Atakoy in Istanbul or similar
• 2 nights at Movenpick Izmir or similar
• 1 night Doğa Thermal hotel Pamukkale or similar
• 4 nights Korumar Hotel Kusadası or similar
• 2 nights Barcelo hotel Cappadocia or similar
• 1 night Sheraton Atakoy in Istanbul or similar
• Daily breakfast and 12 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
• Private ferry boat to Patmos and guided daily tour on Patmos
• Special permission (if granted ) to Cave of Paul and Thecla

Including for Optional Extension Tour

• One way Domestic flight from  Kayseri to Izmir
• One way Domestic flight from Izmir to Gaziantep
• One way Domestic flight from Şanlıurfa to Istanbul
• Roundtrip Ferryboat tickets from Cesme to Chios
• 2 nights at Ramada Balçova Izmir or similar
• 1 night Nevali Hotel Şanlıurfa or similar
• 1 night Yotel IST airport in Istanbul or similar
• Meals as stated in program. (b= breakfast, d= dinner)
• Entrance fees to all sightseeing as per itinerary
• English–speaking licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary
• Transfers & transportation by private A/C van
• Service charges and local taxes

• Roundtrip International airfare
• All lunches and Drinks (other than bottled water)
• All personal expenses, Travel and Health Insurances, any other item not mentioned above
• Tips to tour guides and drivers

Excluding for Optional Extension Tour

• Roundtrip International airfare
• All lunches and Drinks (other than bottled water), meals not included in program
• All personal expenses, Travel and Health Insurances, any other item not mentioned above
• Tips to tour guides and drivers