Turkey Study Tour

Dec 28 Sun Depart Philadelphia (PHL) – Fly Istanbul

Dec 29 Mon Arrive Istanbul Airport
Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “PALMER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY – TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

Dec 30 Tue Istanbul
Our first visit is to Hagia Sophia (the church of “Holy Wisdom”)— the crowning achievement of the sacred building program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th-century head of the Christian Byzantine Empire. This great domed structure remains one of the most impressive sacred edifices ever constructed to the glory of God. We then visit the Archaeological Museum which houses spectacular finds from all over Turkey, including many items that relate to biblical history. Visit the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles. Our final stop is the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

Dec 31 Wed Istanbul – Fly Kayseri
Morning visit to Basilica Cistern and, if time permits, the Egyptian Market. After lunch we drive to the airport for TK2012 14:20 /15:50 flight to Kayseri. Meet and transfer to hotel in Cappadocia for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Jan 1 Thu Cappadocia
Optional early morning Hot Air Balloon trip. We spend the morning visiting the extraordinary cave churches with their breathtaking frescoes (9th to 11th centuries) in the open-air museum at Goreme. After lunch we explore fairytale landscapes, villages and troglodyte monasteries nearby. Visit magical Zelve Valley, and the villages of Uçhisar, Paşabağ and the underground city of Kaymakli. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Jan 2 Fri Cappadocia – Konya – Antalya
After breakfast, we drive 3 hours to Iconium, where we will stop to visit the Archaeological Museum. After lunch, we continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Jan 3 Sat Antalya
Morning visit to Antalya’s renowned Archaeological Museum. After a visit to the St. Paul Cultural Center for lunch, the afternoon is free for exploring Antalya’s Old City. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. Saturday evening worship after dinner. (B,D)

Jan 4 Sun Antalya – Pamukkale
Visit Perga, where Paul and Barnabas went during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13-14). There you will see its wellpreserved stadium and colonnaded street divided by a water channel. Drive to Lycus River Valley for dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Jan 5 Mon Colossae – Hierapolis – Laodicea – Pamukkale
Our first stop in Colossae will be brief, since this site has not yet been excavated. Nevertheless, this is an important site for Christians to visit, since Paul sent a letter to the church of Colossae and another to the rich Christian slave-owner Philemon, who hosted the Colossian church in his home. Next we go to Laodicea, a major city in Roman times, as is clear from the size of the ancient site with its two theatres, stadium, aqueduct and major street lined with shops. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches to which John directed the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22). It had a close relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13-15) and was the recipient of one of Paul’s now lost letters (Col. 4:16). Our final visit is Hierapolis, with its hot thermal springs well-known already in the ancient world for its medicinal qualities as well its spectacular white travertine terraces. Equally impressive are the remains of the ancient city: the Arch of Domitian, a colonnaded street and marketplace, a 20,000-seat theatre built in 200 BC, the Gate of Hell, and the Martyrium of St. Philip, a 5th century structure on the site where Philip (Acts 6:1-7; 21:8-9; Acts of Philip) was believed to have been killed in AD 80. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Jan 6 Tue Philadelphia — Sardis — Thyatira — Soma
In the morning we will drive to Philadelphia for a brief stop at the Church of St John (Rev. 3:7-13). Our next stop is Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6), where we see the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis, the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium and public baths, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We will stop briefly at the ancient city of Thyatira, where, due to the presence of the modern city of Akhisar, few archaeological remains have thus far been uncovered (Rev. 2:18-29). If time permits we will visit the nearby museum. We drive to our hotel in Soma for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Jan 7 Wed Pergamum – Izmir
We travel to Pergamum, which is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Turkey. John warned the church here that they were living in a place of “Satan’s throne” (Rev. 2:12-17). Its attractions are hard to surpass: a 10,000-seat theatre on the side of the acropolis which is the steepest in the ancient world; the magnificently restored temple of Trajan; a library of 200,000 volumes second in size only to that in Alexandria; the base of the Altar of Zeus; the temple of Dionysus; and the medical center of Asclepius with its own theatre, library, underground tunnel and other buildings. We then drive to ancient Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11) and visit the Agora and its important collection of Greek graffiti. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Jan 8 Thu Ephesus – Izmir
Today we visit the most impressive biblical site of our trip: Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7). The former glory of this city can still today be easily appreciated from its well-preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses and theatres. Ephesus was also the site of the Artemis temple—one of seven wonders of the ancient world. There is the same theatre where some 24,000 citizens of Ephesus gathered shouting “Great is Artemis!” in a riot started in response to Paul’s ministry there. The apostle visited this city only briefly during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21) but returned during his third missionary journey for a much longer period of two years and three months (Acts 19:1-20:1). Timothy later served as pastor in this city. Ephesus was also the home base for the apostle John, whose tomb is located at the Basilica of St. John. We return to our hotel in Izmir for dinner and overnight. Sharing gathering after dinner. (B,D)

Jan 9 Fri Departure
Transfer to the Izmir Airport for your flight to the US. (B)

• International Flights from Philadelphia (PHL) (arrive Istanbul on Dec 29, 2025 and depart from Izmir on Jan 9, 2026) **Air fare is subject to change as pricing will not be available until March 2025.
• Istanbul-Kayseri flight (For land&air people)
• 2 Nights at 4 star Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul or similar
• 2 Nights at Yusuf Yigitoglu Cave Hotel in Cappadocia or similar
• 2 Nights at 4 star Best Western Khan Hotel in Antalya or similar
• 2 Nights at 4 star Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar
• 1 Night at 4 star Ramada Hotel in Soma
• 2 Nights at 4 star Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• All escorted transfers
• Daily breakfasts at the hotels (B:Breakfast)
• 11 Dinners (D:Dinners)
• Transportation by Private A/C bus throughout the tour
• English speaking professional tour guides
• All Entry fees to the sites & museums
• Service charges & local taxes

• Tips to the tour guides and drivers, total $80
• Lunches and Drinks
• Travel and health insurances, any kind of insurance
• Any other item which is not listed above
• Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia

Group Land and Air Departure City: PHILADELPHIA

For participants not departing from Philadelphia:

Land + Air: If you'd like Tutku to assist in booking your international flight from a different city, please provide your departure city (e.g., New York, Atlanta). Please note that prices may vary based on your departure city.

Land Only: Please specify your departure city, flight details (airline, flight number, and arrival date/time in Istanbul). This will help us arrange your transfer with the group if possible.

Important Note: If you arrive in Istanbul before December 29, you will need to book a hotel room for the extra nights. If you wish to stay at the same hotel as the group, you can request this extra service either via the website or by emailing us directly. If you require a transfer from the airport to the hotel, we can also arrange it for you.

Extra Services Rates:
Double room with breakfast at Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul: $210
Single room with breakfast at Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul: $190

One-way airport to hotel transfer (per vehicle, max 7 persons): $90