Turkey

Oct 4 Mon Depart USA – Fly Izmir via Istanbul – OWN FLIGHTS

Oct 5 Tue ISTANBUL TO EPHESUS - KUSADASI

When our international flight arrives in Istanbul, we go through customs and take a domestic flight to the Izmir airport. After getting our luggage and meeting our Turkish guide, we drive to the 5-star Korumar Deluxe Hotel located on the Aegean Sea near Ephesus. (D)

Oct 6 Wed BIBLICAL EPHESUS - KUSADASI

After breakfast we tour the archaeological biblical city of Ephesus, a magnificent reconstructed Greco-Roman city. We will walk through the spectacular first-century Terrace Houses, where the early house churches of Ephesus likely met. We visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the Basilica Church of Saint John, and the Turkish town of Selçuk where we meet the locals. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Deluxe Hotel. (B,D)

Oct 7 Thu MILETUS, DIDYMA - PAMUKKALE

After breakfast we visit the magnificent ancient cities of Miletus, and the Temple in Didyma.. At Miletus, the apostle Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders at the end of his third missionary journey in Acts 20:17-38. Continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal Spa Hotel. (B,D)

Oct 8 Fri LAODICEA AND HIEROPOLIS - PAMUKKALE

After breakfast we tour the massive archeological sites of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22 and Colossians 4:13) and Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale, Colossians 4:13). At Laodicea (one of the most reconstructed Greco-Roman cities in Turkey), we visit two large theaters and several excavated early churches. We then drive to Hierapolis and tour the “healing center” at the Plutonion (Pluto’s Gate), and the martyrdom site and tomb of the Apostle Philip. Dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal Spa Hotel.(B,D)

Oct 9 Sat PHILADELPHIA, SARDIS, SMYRNA - IZMIR

After breakfast we visit Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) and then drive to tour Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), with the remains of the magnificent Artemis Temple, a beautifully reconstructed Roman gymnasium, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We then drive to Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11), where we visit Smyrna’s Roman agora, and see the location where the early apostolic church father Polycarp (a disciple of the apostle John) was

martyred. Matt Harbour will teach at each site. We end our day with

a special dinner on the Aegean Sea with Levent Oral, the owner of Tutku Tours. Overnight at the Mövenpick Hotel Izmir. (B,D)

Oct 10 Sun PERGAMUM - THYATIRA - IZMIR

Today we drive to Pergamum, where according to Revelation, the ‘Throne of Satan’ was located (Rev. 2:12-17). Visit the towering Acropolis- 1000 feet above the town, with the steepest theater of the ancient world. We continue the day by driving to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) and original home of Lydia (Acts 16:11-5). We return to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Oct 11 Mon FLY ISTANBUL

After breakfast, transfer to Izmir airport for late morning flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul at around noon. Transfer to the Lamartine Hotel for check-in. After a short rest, we will have a walk at the vivid Taksim Square, and Beyoglu Streets. Dinner and overnight at the Lamartine Hotel. (B,D)

Oct 12 Tue ISTANBUL

Our first day in the historic city of Istanbul begins with a morning visit to Galata Tower. We climb the steps to the top for a breath taking panoramic view of the mega-city of Istnabul that bridges Europe and Asia. We then visit 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. Nearby is located the Hippodrome which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople and originally held up to 100,000 people. Although little is left of this gigantic stadium, there are a number of impressive columns and other structures situated at the site. We then head underground to the Basilica Cistern, a vast water cistern located underneath the city. The cistern’s roof is held up by 336 columns of over 26 feet high. Visitors tread walkways to the mixed sounds of classical music and dripping water, making this perhaps the most unusual tourist attraction in Istanbul. We then enjoy a beautiful cruise on the Bosphorus Sea. This is a relaxing and excellent vantage point to view Istanbul’s many famous landmarks that dot both its European and Asian shores. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Oct 13 Wed ISTANBUL

Our day begins with the visit the Archeological Museum which houses spectacular finds from all over Turkey, including many items that relate to biblical history. Next we proceed to the nearby Hagia Eirene (“Church of Holy Peace”), built in 324 AD on the site of Aphrodite’s temple and 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 was one of the more important councils, making ten additions to the Nicene Creed and affirming the deity of the Holy Spirit. Our final stop is the impressive Topkapi Palace. This elaborate complex of buildings and gardens, originating in the 15th century and greatly expanded over the following centuries, now is a museum that houses important artifacts and treasures relating to Turkish life and history during the Ottoman Empire. We end the day visiting the colorful and vibrant Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at the Lamartine Hotel. (B,D)

Oct 14 Thu DEPARTURE – OWN FLIGHTS

• Izmir-Istanbul domestic flight on October 11
• 3 Nights at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
• 2 Night at Adempira Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar
• 1 Night at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• 3 Nights at Lamartine Hotel in Istanbul or similar
• Daily open buffet breakfasts
• 9 Dinners
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Arrival shuttle transfer on Oct 5 (Izmir Airport – Kusadasi)
• Departure shuttle transfer on Oct 14 (Lamartine Hotel – Istanbul Airport)
• All transportation by Private AC Deluxe Bus
• All entry fees to the sites and museums
• English Speaking, Bible Oriented, licensed Tour Guide
• Service charges and local taxes
• Tips to tour guide and driver

• Roundtrip International Air Fare between USA-TURKEY, arriving IZMIR (ADB) Oct 5, departing ISTANBUL (IST) Oct 14.
• Drinks and Lunches
• Personal Expenses and any other item which is not listed above
• Travel & Health Insurances: insurance may be given as a separate package at an extra cost.