ISTANBUL, NICAEA, & THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION

Fep 29 Thu           Depart OKC – Fly Istanbul

Mar 1 Fri               Arrive Istanbul Airport

Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with “RYAN BUSLER – TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight. *If time permits, Bosphorus Boat Tour. (D)

Mar 2 Sat              Istanbul

Full day Istanbul Tour; Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Archaeology Museum, St Irene Church, Grand Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul. (B,D)

Mar 3 Sun            Istanbul – Nicaea – Overnight Bursa

Drive to Iznik, ancient Nicaea. Two ecumenical councils were held here; 1st counsil of 325, and the 7th council of 787. Visit Hagia Sophia Church (now a mosque) where the 7th council was held. Overnight Bursa.(B,D)

Mar 4 Mon            Thyatira - Pergamum – Izmir

Drive to Akhisar to visit the remains of Thyatira Church. Drive to Bergama. Take cable car up to Acropolis. Continue South to Izmir, ancient Smyrna. Overnight Izmir.(B,D)

Mar 5 Tue             Smyrna – Sardis – Philadelphia - Pamukkale

Visit the Smyrna Agora in the morning including Graffiti section (if possible). Drive to Sardis to visit the Gymnasium, Synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis with a small Byzantine church. On the way to Pamukkale, we will visit the remains of the Philadelphia St John Church. Overnight Pamukkale. (B,D)

Mar 6 Wed            Hierapolis – Laodicea – Kusadasi

Visit Hierapolis and the tomb of Apostle Philip (according to the Italian excavator). Then, visit Laodicea and its latest excavations. Drive west to Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)

Mar 7 Thu            Patmos - Kusadasi

Early transfer to Kusadasi port for ferry to Patmos. Meet the Greek bus and guide. Visit Basilica of John and Cave of Revelation. We will take the 3:00 pm ferry back to Kusadasi. Arrive Kusadasi at around 7 pm. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Mar 8 Fri               Ephesus – Fly Istanbul

Full day Ephesus tour. First we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus including the Terrace Houses. (if possible Tutku will arrange a special visit to the Cave Church of Paul and Thecla). In the afternoon, we will visit the Basilica of John. Early dinner at a local restaurant in Selcuk.Transfer to the airport for TK2335  19:50 /21:10 flight to Istanbul. Overnight at Yotel in the airport. (B,D)

Mar 9 Sat              Walk to the terminal for departure - Fly back OKC