Turkey

Fri, May 15 Depart Chicago TK 6 19:50 – Fly Antalya via Istanbul

Sat, May 16 Istanbul – Antalya
Arrive to Istanbul at 14:40 – Take the connection flight to Antalya TK 2425 16:35/17:55. Our representative will meet you at Antalya Airport with “ERIC TARGE – TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight Antalya.

Sun, May 17 Antalya - Perge
Morningwalk and visit the Antalya Old City which in Paul’s day was known as Atallia and was the place from where the apostle sailed home at the end of his first missionary journey (Acts 14:25- 26) Lunch at 1 pm at the church. Then, drive to Perge. Located ten miles east of Antalya is the ancient city of Perge, where Paul landed after sailing from the island of Cyprus during his first missionary journey (Acts 14:13-14). That Perge was a wealthy city is still easily seen today from its 15,000-seat theatre, 12,000-seat stadium, Hellenistic gate with its “Twin Towers”, baths with underfloor heating, colonnaded marketplace, water fountains, and impressive colonnaded street with a flowing water channel in the middle. Return back to Antalya, dinner and overnight.

Mon, May 18 Antalya – Pisidian Antioch – Colossae – Pamukkale
Morning we will drive to an important city in Paul’s first missionary journey: Antioch of Pisidia Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of a thriving city, complete with theater, imperial temple, stadium, baths, water fountains, paved streets and aqueduct. This Antioch included Christians to whom Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians. We visit both the ruins of the ancient city as well as its small museum in Yalvac, which contains the important Sergius Paulus inscription and the famous funerary inscription of Caesar Augustus. Later drive toColossae. Visit in Colossae will be brief, since this site is just started to be excavated. 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. After a short visit continue to Hierapolis (Pamukkale) for dinner and overnight.  

Tue, May 19 Laodicea, Pamukkale and Hierapolis - overnight Pamukkale
Morning short drive to Laodicea which 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). Then proceed to Hierapolis third of the three key biblical cities in the Lycus Valley. With its hot thermal springs wellknown 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 10,000-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. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Wed, May 20 Philadelphia, Sardis and Thyatira - overnight Izmir
Morning drive 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 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.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 end the day in the port city of Izmir, known in the ancient world as Smyrna and now the third largest city in Turkey. Dinner and overnight. 

Thu, May 21 Pergamum and Smyrna - overnight Izmir
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). 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). Back to Izmir, dinner and overnight.

Fri, May 22 Ephesus, Museum and St John’s Basilica – Fly to Istanbul
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 well preserved 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, and the Basilica of St. John. Then drive to Izmir airport for the flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. 

Sat, May 23 Istanbul (Old City & Bosphorus)
Morning visit (from outside) 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. We will also visit the famous Hagia Irene Church, known as the first church of the city. Nearby is located the Hippodrome which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople. Although little is left of this gigantic stadium, there are a number of impressive columns and other structures situated at the site. We then visit Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque and the Cistern beneath the craft store. Walk down to Spice Market. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Sun, May 24 Transfer to Istanbul Airport for 2:25pm flight to Chicago - Arrive ORD at 17:55 same day.

- Roundtrip international air fare Chicago-Antalya and Istanbul-Chicago
- Izmir-Istanbul domestic flight
- 2 Nights at Best Western Khan Antalya
- 2 Nights at Doga Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
- 2 Nights at Moevenpick Hotel Izmir
- 2 Nights at Sheraton Atakoy Hotel Istanbul
- Daily breakfasts
- 8 Dinners
- All entrance fees including Terrace Houses
- All guiding by licensed tour guide
- All tips to guide and driver
- All transportation by private bus
- All service charges and local taxes

- Lunches and drinks
- Travel and health insurances, any kind of insurance
- Any other item not listed above