Seven Churches & The Biblical Coast

1st Day: You will arrive to Istanbul, the biggest city of modern Turkey. We will welcome you and you will rest in the hotel.

2nd Day: We will have an extensive tour in Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city located in 2 continents which was the capital city of 3 empires. Our first visit will be to the legendary St. Sophia which was built 1,500 years ago as the first cathedral of the world. It is one of the biggest and last constructions of The Roman Empire. Following we will visit the famous Blue Mosque. Then we will have a walk in the Hippodrome area. After lunch will have a Bosphorus cruise tour and you will see the beauty of Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

3rd Day: Today we will visit the Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Sultans used to rule the Empire. Following this we will see Chora Museum which is the one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine art and the St. Antonio Church. After lunch you will have free time in one of the oldest shopping places in the world, the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

4th Day: In the morning we will fly from Istanbul to Izmir airport. In Izmir we will see the Church of St. Policarp who was one of the first martyrs of Christianity. We will drive to Pergamum where one of the 7 Churches was situated and will have lunch. Later we will visit the Acropolis of the Pergamon Kingdom and will see the Red Court. On the way back to Izmir we will visit another of the 7 Churches, Tyhitira. Overnight in Izmir.

5th Day: Continuing our 7 Churches visits we will see the Biblical city Sardis which was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom. We will also visit the second Church in Philadelphia. Overnight in Izmir.

6th Day: This day will be another highlight. After one hour’s drive we will be in Ephesus. We will have an extensive tour of this ancient site and sitting at the theater we will read the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 19. Also in the site we will see the first church ever dedicated to The Virgin Mary where the 3rd ecumenical council met. Leaving Ephesus we will visit the house of The Virgin Mary situated on a hill nearby. After lunch we will visit the tomb and Church of St. John, where we will read his Gospel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

7th Day: Today we will make the famous PMD Tour. Our first stop will be in Priene, which is an ancient city dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Later we will drive to Miletos, which was a science and cultural centre in ancient times. After lunch we will visit Didyma, which means twins in Greek, for the God Apollo and his twin sister Artemis. The biggest temple dedicated to Apollo, was erected in Didyma. Overnight in Kusadasi.

8th Day: Today we will visit the seventh and last Church at Laodiciea. In the afternoon we will be in another Biblical site, Hierapolis which is well known as a thermal spa centre and called Pamukkale today. Overnight in Pamukkale.

9th Day: We will drive to the Mediterranean Coast passing the Taurus Mountains. First we will visit Perge where St. Paul started his mission. After lunch we will visit the well preserved amphitheater in Aspendos. Overnight in Antalya.

10th Day: Along the brilliant Mediterranean Coast we will drive to St. Nicolas’s birth place, Myra/Demre. There we will visit the Church of St. Nicolas and the ancient site of Myra famous for its Lykian Rock Tombs. Overnight in Antalya.

11th Day: We will visit the museum of Antalya. Later there will be an optional walking tour of the old city of Antalya and free time.

12th Day: Transfer to Antalya airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul.