Early Christianity in Asia Minor

May 13 Sat Depart LAX – Non-stop flight to Istanbul

May 14 Sun Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul Airport. Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “CLINT ARNOLD – TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the top of the hotel overlooking the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. (D)

May 15 Mon Istanbul
You will start from the Hippodrome and see the monuments around it. Nearby is the historic Blue Mosque. After briefly stopping at the Golden Mile of the Egnatian Way, uou will visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there you will visit the historic Hagia Irene Church. Afterwards you will walk to Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum—one of the most celebrated collections in the world. Among its treasures are the Siloam inscription, the Gezer calendar, and the Thanatos inscription from temple mount. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

May 16 Tue Istanbul – Troy – Alexander Troas - Assos
Depart Istanbul for Troy. Cross the Dardanelles Strait via the new bridge. Visit the legendary city of Troy and its museum. See the replica of the wooden horse. Then visit Alexander Troas where Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia (Acts 16; 20; etc.) to see the harbor and the new excavation area. Overnight at Assos Dove Hotel. (B,D)

May 17 Wed Assos
Visit Assos where Paul stopped on his third missionary journey; Acts 20:13-14. Free time in the afternoon. (B,D)

May 18 Thu Assos - 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. Will also visit the healing center (Ascelpion) on the plain below the acropolis. We continue by driving to Akhisar ancient Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) and home of Lydia (Acts 16:11-5) Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

May 19 Fri Smyrna - Izmir
Today, we will visit the Smyrna Agora and its “Graffiti” section. See the new excavation in Smyrna (walk to the theater excavation is optional). Walk in vivid Kemeralti Bazaar to Alsancak, the modern part of Izmir. Short visit to St Policarp Church, and then visit the Archaeology Museum in Varyant. Return to the hotel. Tonight, we will have dinner at a local seafood restaurant on the water. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

May 20 Sat Sardis – Philadelphia – Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Drive to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation that was berated by John the Prophet for its facade of strength when, in reality, it 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. We continue on to Alasehir, to see where the Church of Philadelphia (Rev 3:7–22) was located. Then, drive to Hierapolis. Christianity came to Hierapolis via Epaphras (Colossians 4:12–13). We will see the impressive theater with seats still in perfect condition and visit one of themal pools that still has ancient columns in it! Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle.” It is named for the limestoneladen hot springs that cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

May 21 Sun Colossae – Laodicae - Pamukkale
Morning drive to the unexcavated site of Colossae. We may meet the local archaeologist Dr. Baris Yener depending on his availability. Then continue on to 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.

May 22 Mon Aphrodisias - Kusadasi
Drive to Geyre to visit the ancient site of Aphrodisias excavated by the New York University. See the Stadium, Roman Baths, Agora, Theater, etc. Aphrodisias was once called “Stavropolis”, the city of cross. Also visit the Aphrodisias Museum. Continue west to Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea shores. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Hotel (sea view rooms) in Kusadasi. (B,D)

May 23 Tue Miletus - Kusadasi
A short drive brings us to Miletus which, due to its four harbors, became one of the great cities of commerce in the ancient world. Of the surviving buildings, the finest is the 15,000-seat theatre originally built in the Hellenistic period and expanded in Roman times. Other buildings include the council chamber built during the reign of the infamous Antiochus IV (175-164 BC), the Sacred Road leading to the Apollo Temple in nearby Didyma, the gymnasium and the well-preserved Baths of Faustina dating from AD 43. Paul stopped in Miletus on the return leg of his third missionary journey where he summoned the elders from Ephesus to meet with him and hear his poignant farewell speech (Acts 20:17-35). Before departing Miletus, we will visit briefly its small but informative archaeological museum have some free time in Kusadasi). Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)

May 24 Wed Ephesus – Kusadasi
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, the huge Theater and visit where the Temple of Artemis used to stand—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, we will have lunch at a local handmade carpet cooperative. In the afternoon, 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 Kusadasi. (B,L,D)

May 25 Thu Claros – Izmir
We will make a brief stop to Claros in the morning. Claros was an ancient Greek sanctuary located near the present-day town of Ahmetbeyli in the Menderes district of Izmir Province. The sanctuary was part of the territory controlled by the Ionic city of Colophon. Short drive to Izmir. Rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

May 26 Fri Fly back to LAX - Transfer to Izmir Airport for
flight back to Los Angeles via Istanbul. End.