Turkey

Day 1 (Sat April 17) FLIGHTS TO ISTANBUL
Tour participants depart on Turkish Airlines from the United States to Istanbul (non- stop) from one of the following airports: Seattle, LAX, Houston, Chicago, New York JFK, Washington DC.

Day 2 (Sun April 18) ISTANBUL TO EPHESUS.
When our flight arrives in Istanbul, we go through customs and take a domestic flight to the Izmir Airport. We then drive to the Korumar Deluxe Hotel on the Aegean Sea near Ephesus.

FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANITY - CHURCHES OF REVELATION

Day 3 (Mon April 19) EPHESUS REGION.
After breakfast we will reflect together on the Ephesus ministries of the Apostle Paul, Timothy, and the Apostle John. We will then drive through the Ephesus region where we visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the Basilica Church of Saint John (the traditional burial site of the apostle John), the present-day Ephesus Prayer House, and the Turkish town of Selcuk where we meet the locals and shop. Selcuk is a great place to purchase your gifts for family and friends. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Deluxe Hotel.

Day 4 (Tues April 20) BIBLICAL EPHESUS.
After breakfast we tour the archaeological biblical city of Ephesus, a magnificently preserved ancient Greco-Roman city. We will walk through the spectacular first-century Terrace Houses, where the early house churches of Ephesus likely met. Those who are interested can visit a local Anatolian Handmade Carpet and Kilim production center to learn how world-famous Turkish carpets are made, and buy one if you desire. Those who don’t want to visit the Carpet center can return to the hotel for free time, and enjoy the Aegean beach. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Deluxe Hotel.

DAY 5 (Wed April 21) MAGNESIA, NYSA, COLOSSAE
After breakfast we drive from Ephesus down the green Meander River Valley to the beautiful Lycus River Valley. On our journey we will visit the first-century Roman stadium at the ancient city of Magnesia, and the remote ancient city of Nysa that is rarely visited by tourists. We then drive to the archeological site of Colossae, where Paul sent his letters of Colossians and Philemon. Dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel. (Yes, there will be time to enjoy the spa!)

Day 6 (Thurs April 22) LAODICEA AND HIEROPOLIS
After breakfast we tour the massive archeological sites of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22, Colossians 4:13) and Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale, Colossians 4:13). At Laodicea (one of the most excavated Greco-Roman cities in Turkey) we visit two large theaters, and several early churches. We then drive to Hierapolis and tour the traditional martyrdom site and tomb of the Apostle Philip. Dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel.

DAY 7 (Fri April 23) PHILADELPHIA, SARDIS, SMYRNA
After breakfast we drive to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) and visit the Church of the Apostle John, built in the AD 500s. We then drive to tour Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), with the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis (later converted into a church), a beautifully reconstructed Roman gymnasium, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We then drive to Smyna (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. We end our day with a special dinner on the Aegean Sea with Levent Oral, the owner of Tutku Tours. Overnight at the Movenpick Hotel Izmir.

ISTANBUL: HISTORIC CONSTANTINOPLE

Day 10 (Sat April 24) - ISTANBUL
After breakfast we take a domestic flight to Istanbul and drive into the city. We will get oriented to our new surroundings by climbing to the top of Galata Tower for a breath-taking panoramic view of the megacity of Istanbul that bridges Europe and Asia. If we have time we will walk down the famous and popular Iskilal Street, and mingle among the crowds of locals. Dinner and overnight at the Lamartine Hotel.

Day 11 (Sun April 25) ISTANBUL
After breakfast we start our day at the Old City of Constantinople. We visit the Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, the famous Hagia Sophia Church, Saint Irene Church (where the Nicene Creed was written), the Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans, and experience the amazing underground cistern built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the AD 500s. We will end our day with a private boat ride on the famous Bosphorus Straight that connects the Black and Marmara Seas. Dinner and overnight at the Lamartine Hotel.

Day 12 (Mon April 26) ISTANBUL
After breakfast we drive around the ancient walls of Constantinople, walk through the historic Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, and take a ferry ride across the Bosphorus Strait to the town of Kadikoy on the Istanbul’s Asian side (where the Chalcedon creed was written). If we have time, we will experience a tram ride with the locals through the unmatched city of Istanbul. We return to the Lamartine Hotel for our farewell dinner together.

Day 13 (Tues April 27) DEPARTURE.
After breakfast we drive to the Istanbul Airport where we board our international flights back to the USA.

• Roundtrip international fare on Turkish Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Houston, or Atlanta.
• Izmir-Kayseri domestic flight
• Kayseri-Istanbul domestic flight
• 3 Nights at Korumar Deluxe Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
• 2 Night at Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel in Pammukale or similar
• 1 Night at Movenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• 3 Nights at Lamartine Hotel in Istanbul or similar
• Daily breakfasts and dinners
• All Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers in private basis
• All land transportation by private fully A/C VAN with driver throughout the tour
• Tolls, parking fees, fuel, guide’s and driver’s expenses
• English Speaking Licensed tour guide throughout the tour
• All Entry fees to the mentioned sites & museums
• Service charges, accommodation taxes, & local taxes
• Tips to tour guide ($60) and to the driver ($25)

• Lunches and drinks
• All personal expenses and any other service which are not mentioned above
• Travel and Health insurance, any kind of insurance (insurance may be given at an extra cost, please ask)
• Hot Air Balloon Trip