Turkey - Seven Churches Family Tour

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)

• 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

• 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)