The Seven Churches of Revelation and Patmos

Oct 17 Fri Departure from Houston - Fly to Istanbul

Oct 18 Sat Arrive to Istanbul Airport
Your tour guide will meet you at Istanbul Airport after the customs and baggage claim, holding a sing ‘House/TUTKU’sign. Meet and greet, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (D) 

Oct 19 Sun Istanbul (Constantinople)
Morning drive to Istanbul old city. Visit the famous Hagia Sophia (then Hagia Irene) where Second Ecumenical Council took place in 381. Proceed to Istanbul Archaeological Museum afternoon. Visit St. Chora Church. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)  

Oct 20 Mon Istanbul - Troy - Alexander Troas - Assos
Morning Drive to Gallipoli. Drive across the bridge and visit Troy. Visit Alexander Troas, the important port founded by Alexander the great, Paul visited here at least twice (Acts 16:8-11, 20 5:13). After the legendary city of Homer’s Iliad, continue to Assos for dinner and overnight in Assos. (B,D)

Oct 21 Tue Assos - Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Morning visit to Assos Acropolis and 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. Visiat 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. Discover the remains of a Roman road and a Byzantine basilica. Drive to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Oct 22 Wed 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)

Oct 23 Thu Colossae - Laodicea - Aphrodisias - Kuşadasi
Morning drive to the unexcavated site of Colossae, 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) 

Oct 24 Fri Patmos Island
Early morning ferry cruise to Patmos, where John received the Revelation (Rev. 1:9). Arrive at the port city, Skala. Meet your local Greek guide. Then start a visit of the island starting from Church of the Apocalypse then drive to Monastery of the island. Free time for lunch before cruising back to Kuşadası. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kuşadası. (B,D) OR 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. Then visit St. Polycarp Church, largest Catholic church of the city, and a visit to the St. Polycarp Memorial Site. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Oct 25 Sat MILETOS - DIDYMA - PRIENE - KUŞADASI
Drive to Miletos, visit the famous theater and the remains of the site. Continue to Didyma to visit the well preserved Temple of Apollo. Afternoon proceed to Priene, a Greco-Roman city visited by Alexander the Great and is located near the Mykale mountains. Back to Kuşadasi for Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Oct 26 Sun Ephesus - Kuşadasi
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 Cave of Paul and Thecla with special permission. Finish the day at St. John’s Basilica, burial site of John the Apostle. Back to Kuşadası for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Oct 27 Mon Transfer to Izmir airport for departure END OF TOUR: OR OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO CAPPADOCIA

CAPPADOCIA EXTENSION

Oct 27 Mon Fly Kayseri
Early morning flight to Kayseri. 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)

Oct 28 Tue 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. 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)

Oct 29 Wed Cappadocia
Pick up from hotel transfer to Kayseri airport for TK2011 08:50 /10:30 flight to Istanbul. Pick up and transfer to Istanbul hotel. Free afternoon for exploration. (B,D)

Oct 30 Thu Departure
Hotel pick up for transfer to airport for departure flight from Istanbul to USA. (B)

• 2 nights at Sheraton Atakoy in Istanbul or similar
• 1 night at Kervansaray Hotel in Assos or similar
• 1 night at Movenpick Izmir or similar
• 1 night at Doğa Thermal hotel Pamukkale or similar
• 4 nights Korumar Hotel Kusadası or similar
• Daily breakfast and 9 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
• Private ferry boat to Patmos and guided daily tour on Patmos (not guaranteed based on conditions)

Including for Optional Cappadocia Extension Tour

• Domestic flights from Izmir to Kayseri
• Domestic flight from Kayseri to Istanbul
• 2 nights Barcelo hotel Cappadocia or similar, 1 night Sheraton Atakoy Istanbul

• Daily breakfasts and 3 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

• Roundtrip International airfare arriving Istanbul Oct 18 and departing Izmir Oct 27
• 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

Excluding for Optional Cappadocia Extension Tour

• Roundtrip International airfare arriving IST Oct 18 and departing Istanbul Oct 30
• 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