Turkey

Mar 5 Thu Depart from Greensboro on your own

Mar 6 Fri Arrive Istanbul Airport
Our representative will meet you after you exit the customs and baggage claim areas, at Istanbul Airport Meeting Point with a “First Baptist/MYERS-TUTKU” sign. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (D)  

Mar 7 Sat Istanbul
Free day to explore or rest in Istanbul on your own. Enjoy a group welcome dinner at the hotel and overnight in Istanbul. (D)

Mar 8 Sun Istanbul
Full day Istanbul tour; visit the Roman Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles, Hagia Sophia Church, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage site. Then visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D) 

Mar 9 Mon Nicaea - FLY ANTALYA
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. Return to Istanbul for flight to Antalya from SAW airport PC 2024 20:40-21:55. Arrive Antalya for overnight. (B,D)

Mar 10 Tue Perge - Antalya
Visit the Greco-Roman city of Perga (Acts 13:1314;14:25). We will visit the award winning Antalya (Attalia Acts 14:25- 26) Archaeological Museum with its amazing statuary. St Pauls Church, and Ancient Attalia Harbour. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)

Mar 11 Wed Colossae - Laodicea (Col 2:1; 4:13-16, Rev. 1:11; 3:14) - Hierapolis (Col 4:13) - Pamukkale
Drive to Lycus River Valley. Enjoy a quick stop in Colossae and then to visit Laodicea to see the latest excavations. Then, drive to nearby Hierapolis to see the newly found Tomb of Philip. Also, see the UNESCO world-heritage site of Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Mar 12 Thu Philadelphia (Rev. 1:11; 3:7) - Sardis (Rev.1:11; 3:1-4) - Smyrna (Rev 1:11; 2:8–11) - Izmir
Drive to Alasehir to see the remains of the Philadelphia Church. Continue to Sardis, capital of ancient Lydia where the first coin of the world was minted. See the remains of the massive Artemis Temple. Proceed to Smyrna, modern Izmir to see the Smyrna Agora. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D) 

Mar 13 Fri Ephesus (Site, Terrace Houses, Museum, St. John’s Church) - Izmir
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 visiting the magnificent Terrace Houses, the Library, the Agora, and 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)

Mar 14 Sat Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Today we will visit the site of Pergamum where, according to Revelation, the “Throne of Satan” was located (Rev. 2:12- 17). Visit the towering acropolis—1000 feet above the town. We will also visit the healing center (Ascelpion) on the plain below the acropolis. We continue the day by driving to Akhisar ancient Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) and original home of Lydia (Acts 16:11-5) and then drive to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Mar 16 Mon Fly from Amsterdam to Greensboro

• Domestic one way Izmir- Istanbul flight
• 3 Nights Sheraton Atakoy Istanbul or similar
• 2 Nights Best Western Kaan Antalya or similar
• 1 Night Doga Thermal Hotel Pamukkale or similar
• 3 Nights Mövenpick Hotel Izmir or similar
• Daily breakfast and 9 dinners at the hotels
• All transportation by private AC Bus
• English Speaking, Government Licensed, Bible Oriented guides in Turkey
• All Entry fees to the sites and museums mentioned in the program
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Service charges and local taxes

• International airfare arriving to Istanbul March 6, and departing Istanbul March 15
• All Tips to Tour Guide and drivers, $50 for guide and $20 for driver per person
• Lunches and Drinks (Bottled Water is included at dinners)
• Personal Expenses (Laundry, phone calls, all kind of insurances, etc)