The Seven Churches, Paul’s Journeys, and Istanbul

Oct 18 Mon Depart Los Angeles LAX 13:45 on Turkish Airlines, transfer in Istanbul to Izmir

Oct 19 Tue Arrive Izmir Airport at 17:10
Welcome to Izmir, ancient Smyrna, a beautiful city on the Turkish Aegean coast. Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “LEGACY CHURCH – TUTKU” sign, then transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Izmir (D)

Oct 20 Weds Ephesus - Izmir
Morning drive to Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. We will stroll the excavated streets of Ephesus, the Library, the Agora, the huge Theater and view where the Temple of Artemis used to stand—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We will visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city as well as the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of the burial place of John. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Oct 21 Thurs Smyrna Agora - Pergamum - Thyatira - Salihli
We first visit the Smyrna agora and its “graffiti section” at the lower level. We then 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) Dinner and overnight in Sahlili Lydia Thermal Hotel (B,D)

Oct 22 Fri Sardis - Philadelphia - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Our first stop is Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation that was berated by John the Prophet for its facade of strength when, in reality, was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Coins were first minted in Sardis. The massive Temple of Artemis, the Royal Road, the gymnasium and the synagogue will impress you. Drive to Philadelphia where much of this4 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. Then on to Hierapolis that is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Christianity came to Hierapolis via Epaphras (Colossians 4:12–13). The ruins cover more than a square mile. We will see the impressive theater with seats still in perfect condition and visit one of thermal pools that still has ancient columns in it! Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle.” It is named for the limestone-laden hot springs that cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Oct 23 Sat Laodicea - Colossae - Antalya
First visit nearby Laodicea. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3:14) and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous passage from Revelation (3:20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock...” Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including theaters, a temple, nymphaeum, and columned streets. Next drive to the unexcavated site of Colossae. After lunch drive through the Taurus Mountains to Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)

Oct 24 Sun Attalia - Perga - Antalya
Morning walk of ancient Attalia whose harbor Paul and Barnabas sailed from at the end of their first journey (Acts 14:25-26). Visit the St. Paul Union Church. After lunch we will tour the biblical city of Perga where they visited and preached on the first journey (Acts 13:13-14, 14:25). On the return to Antalya we will see the ancient harbor of Magydus where the apostles landed and its beautiful Duden waterfalls. Dinner and overnight in Antalya (B,D)

Oct 25 Mon Fly Istanbul - Constantinople - Istanbul
Morning flight to Istanbul. Visit Chora Church and the Theodosian walls. After lunch have a private Bosphorus Boat Tour and see the nearby Egyptian Spice Market. Dinner and overnight (B,D)

Oct 26 Tues Istanbul
Our first visit is to the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, then see the Hagia Sophia (the church of “Holy Wisdom”)—the crowning achievement of the sacred building program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th-century head of the Christian Byzantine Empire. This great domed structure remains one of the most impressive sacred edifices ever constructed to the glory of God. Then visit the nearby Hagia Eirene (“Church of Holy Peace”), built in 324 AD dedicated by Emperor Constantine as the city’s first church and main cathedral until the completion of Hagia Sophia in 360 AD. The second of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was held here in 381 AD. This important council made ten additions to the Nicene Creed and affirmed the deity of the Holy Spirit. Later visit one of the specular underground cisterns that provided water for Constantinople. Dinner and overnight Istanbul. (B,D)

Oct 27 Wed Departure
After breakfast we drive to the Istanbul Airport where we board our international flight back to the USA.

• International Flights from LAX to Izmir &Istanbul to LAX
• Antalya-Istanbul domestic flight
• 2 nights at Movenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• 1 night at Lydia Sardes Hotel in Salihli
• 1 night at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar
• 2 nights at Best Western Khan Hotel in Antalya or similar
• 2 nights at Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul or similar
• Daily breakfasts at the hotels
• 8 dinners
• All land transportation by private A/C bus with driver
• Tolls, parking fees, fuel, driver’s & guide’s expenses
• Professional licensed English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees to mentioned sites in the program
• Accommodation tax at hotels
• Headsets
• Service charges & local taxes
• TUTKU gifts

• Lunches and drinks
• Travel and Health insurance, any kind of insurance (insurance may be given at an extra cost, please ask)
• Any other item which is not mentioned above
• Tips to tour guide ($50 per person) and to the driver ($20 per person)