Türkiye, Istanbul

Seven churches with Cappadocia 4^*

After our guests arrive in Istanbul, our staff will meet them and transfer them to the hotel. After they have checked in, the tour director will brief them about the Biblical Itinerary. They will then spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will meet our guide in the hotel lobby and drive to Pergamum (2:12–17), where we will visit the Acropolis. We will then continue to Thyatira (modern-day Akhisar) (Revelation 2:18-29, Acts 16:14), a city of artisans' guilds in St Paul's time. In the afternoon, we will take a city tour of Izmir. In the evening, we will continue to the Metropolis of Izmir (Smyrna, Revelation 2:8–11), the birthplace of Homer on the Aegean Coast. Dinner and overnight stay in Izmir.

After breakfast, we will visit Ephesus, mentioned in Ephesians, Revelation 1:11 and 2:1-7, Acts 18:19-28 and 19:1-4. St. Paul lived there between 54 and 57 AD, and nearby we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, which was miraculously discovered on a wooded hilltop. Finally, we will stop at the restored St John's Basilica, where, according to legend, he was buried. Then it's a short drive to Kusadasi, a very popular holiday destination near Ephesus. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Today, visit three of the Seven Churches. Drive to Sardis, one of the most picturesque of these cities. It was here that St John expressed his concern about the progress of the city's faith (Revelation 3:1–5). Then move on to Philadelphia (Alasehir), a favourite city of Paul and John. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22; Colossians 2:1; 4:13–16) was another prosperous city where Christianity first spread. Later, enjoy the hotel's thermal pool. Dinner & overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, you will tour the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, where calcareous hot springs flowing down the cliffs have created fascinating travertine terraces and basins. Then, proceed to Cappadocia via Konya. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Enjoy a tour of Cappadocia today! The Goreme Open Air Museum houses many painted frescoes in its cave churches. The Underground City of Kaymaklı was once a place of refuge for 15,000 Christians. Explore the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms of this eight-storey city, which is connected by 30 km of corridors and passageways. Pasabag is the best place to see the three-headed fairy chimneys. Cavusin looks like a ghost town with its deserted houses left empty since the 1960s. We will visit the oldest complex of cave churches from the early days of Christianity. (*Still under construction and may not be finished in time.) Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we will take a domestic flight from Kayseri Airport to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will begin our tour with the programme below. We will start the day by visiting the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque in Turkish). It is known as the Blue Mosque by tourists because of its interior blue tiles, of which there are more than 20,000. The mosque is also famous for its six minarets, as it is the only mosque in Turkey with this number of minarets. Next, we will visit the Hippodrome, the centre of sporting (chariot races, athletics) and political activities in the old city. From there, we will go to the nearby Hagia Sophia, also known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom. Ranked as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constructed as a basilica in the sixth century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. Finally, we will visit the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market and the biggest souk in the world, with nearly 4,000 shops selling antiques, jewellery and carpets.

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul airport for your departure flight back home.

Please note that due to technical requirements, weather conditions or other unforeseen events relating to the organisation of the trip, the dates of the excursions may change or be cancelled.