Turkey - Seven Churches Family Tour
April 16-23, 2026
with Cappadocia Extension
Tour Host
April 15 Wed Depart US on your own
April 16 Thu Arrive Izmir and overnight. (D)
April 17 Fri 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. Visit 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.
Today for lunch we visit the carpet weaving factory in Bergama.
Discover the remains of a Roman road and a Byzantine basilica.
Drive to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
April 18 Sat 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. With special permission, we include a visit to the graffiti
section. We visit the St. Polycarp memorial site and then visit St.
Polycarp Church, largest Catholic church of the city. Afternoon visit
to local CHURCH service with host. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
(B,D)
April 19 Sun 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)
April 20 Mon Colossae - Laodicea - Aphrodisias - Kuşadasi
Morning drive to the site of Colossae, which is now being
excavated. It is 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)
April 21 Tue Miletos - Didyma - Kuşadası
Drive to Miletos where Paul stopped when returning from his third
missionary journey. He summoned the elders from Ephesus to meet
with him and hear his farewell speech (Acts 20:17-35). Visit the
famous theater and the remains of the site. Continue to Didyma to
visit the well preserved Temple of Apollo. Back to Kuşadasi for and
early afternoon and free time and then Dinner and overnight. (B,D)
April 22 Wed Ephesus - Kuşadası
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 Terrace Houses.
Finish the day at St. John’s Basilica, burial site of John the Apostle,
and enjoy the Ephesus museum. Back to Kuşadası for dinner
and overnight at the hotel. Group gathering for final thoughts &
sharing. (B,D)
April 23 Thu DEPARTURE - Transfer to Izmir airport for departure - END
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO CAPPADOCIA
April 23 Thu Fly from Izmir to Cappadocia
Arrive to Kasyeri Airport. 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)
April 24 Fri 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,
watch how pottery is made. 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)
April 25 Sat Cappadocia
Today we explore Çavuşin Village, one of the oldest settlements in
Cappadocia. The village is famous for its cave houses carved into the
rock, creating a labyrinth of ancient dwellings. It is also home to the
Church of John the Baptist, the largest cave church in Cappadocia,
dating back to the 5th century. Group gathering for final thoughts&
sharing at the hotel. Dinner and overnight Hotel. (B,D)
April 26 Sun Cappadocia FLY ISTANBUL
Pick up from hotel transfer to Kayseri airport for TK2011 08:50
/10:30 flight to Istanbul. Pick up and enjoy a historical Istanbul
Tour, visiting the Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern
and the St Irene Church. (B,D)
April 27 Mon Departure
Hotel pick up for transfer to airport for departure flight from
Istanbul home (B)
Including
• 2 Nights Mövenpick Hotel Izmir or similar
• 1 Night Doga Thermal Hotel Pamukkale or similar
• 3 Nights Korumar Hotel Kuşadası or similar
• Daily breakfast and 7 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
Extension Including
• Domestic flights from Izmir to Kayseri
• Domestic flight from Kayseri to Istanbul
• 3 nights Barcelo hotel Cappadocia or similar
• 1 night Sheraton Atakoy in Istanbul or similar
• Daily breakfasts and 4 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
Excluding
• International airfare arriving to IZMIR (ADB) April 16, and departing
IZMIR (ADB) April 23, or if joining optional extension April 23 from
ISTanbul.
• All Tips to Tour Guide and drivers, $40 for guide and $20 for driver per
person for main tour
• Lunches and Drinks (Bottled Water is included at dinners)
• Personal Expenses (Laundry, phone calls, all kind of insurances, etc)
Extension Excluding
• Roundtrip International airfare arriving IZMIR (ADB) and departing April
23 from ISTanbul (IST) airport
• 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 ( $20 per person for guide and $12 per
person for driver)
