Departure: Every Week
1. Day WELLCOME TO IZMIR
After landing at the Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, our representative will meet you after the baggage claim with a sign. Meet and transfer to your hotel. After then you will visit St Polycarp Church(If it is open) which was dedicated to the bishop and martyr of the church of Smyrna, and ponder John’s word of commendation for the Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in their faith despite persecution. Overnight at your Hotel in Izmir
2. Day PERGAMUM & THYATIRA
This morning you will travel north to visit the first of the seven cities of Revelation— Pergamum. It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Turkey. Its attractions are hard to surpass: a 10,000–seat theatre on the side of the Acropolis that is the steepest in the ancient world; the magnificently restored Temple of Trajan; the remains of 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 Asclepion. This ancient healing center had its own theater, library, underground tunnel and other buildings. John warned the church here that they were living in a place of “Satan’s throne”. On our way back to Izmir, we’ll make a brief stop 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. John warned the church here about its toleration of a woman symbolically called Jezebel who was leading believers astray, causing them “to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols”. Return to Izmir. Overnight at your Hotel in Izmir. Breakfast and lunch
3. Day SARDIS & PHILADELPHIA
his morning you will travel to the Sardis, one of the other cities of Revelation. Here, we’ll see the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis (later converted into a church), the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium and public baths, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We’ll make a brief stop in Philadelphia, where much of this ancient city has either been destroyed or lies buried under the modern city. John wrote to the church here commending them for their patience endurance in spite of persecution. Overnight at your Hotel in Izmir. Breakfast and lunch
4. Day COLOSSEA & LAODICEA
This morning you will travel to Pamukkale. Visit Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Our first stop in Colossae will be brief since this city is one of the only biblical sites in Turkey that remains unexcavated. Nevertheless, this is an important site for Christians to visit since Paul sent here two letters: one to the church of Colossae and one to the rich Christian slave–owner Philemon, who hosted the Colossian church in his home. Our second stop is Laodicea, a major city in Roman times that is rapidly being uncovered. Laodicea had not one but two theatres, a stadium, an aqueduct, and over 20 churches dating to Byzantine times that archaeologists have already uncovered. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches to whom John directed the book of Revelation. It also had a close relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and Hierapolis and was the recipient of one of Paul’s now lost letters. Overnight at your Hotel in Izmir. Breakfast and lunch
5. Day EPHESUS
This morning you will travel to the Ephesus, veritable cradle of early Christianity (Rev: 2-1-7.) Visit the house of the VIRGIN MARY, where she spent her last days. Proceed to Ephesus, and see the spectacular ruins from the period of St. Paul, some of which are recently excavated. See the ODEON, BOULETERION, FOUNTAINS, TEMPLES, BROTHEL, LIBRARY, AGORA, GREAT THEATER, (Act.19-20) GYMNASIUMS, DOUBLE CHURCH, and STADIUM. After lunch, visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, TEMPLE OF DIANA (One of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world) Overnight at your Hotel in Izmir. Breakfast and lunch.
6. Day DEPARTURE FROM IZMIR
Tranfer to the airport. If you wish to spend a few more days checking out the sights of Izmir, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Per Person 1250 EURO
Single 1500 EURO
Whats Included
5 nights accomodation in 3 or 4 stars hotel
All Breakfast & fourb Lunchs
Pick up/drop from Izmir Adnanmenderes airport
All transfers mentioned at the program
Proffesional Guide in English Speaking
Whats Excluded
Flight tickets
Tips (Tour Guides and Drivers)
Turkish Visa Fee to be obtained online before arrival evisa.gov.tr
Travel insurance
Addititon Services (Personel expenses…)
Entry Fees