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Day 1 : Istanbul
Arrival Istanbul Airport, meeting, assistance at the airport, and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner will be held in a nice local kebab restaurant. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2 : Istanbul
Departure in the morning from the hotel for a full day city tour of Istanbul. The tour includes a visit to Topkapi Palace – served as the Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost four hundred years, St.Sophia Museum – Church of “Divine Wisdom” considered as the eighth wonder of the world by many art historians, the Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque-world famous for its blue-green Iznik tiles which decorate the interior, and Grand Bazaar–one of the biggest of the ancient covered bazaars with more than 4,000 colorful shops inside. At the end of the tour return to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul. Lunch will be served at a nice local restaurant in Istanbul.
Day 3 : Pergamon - Thyatira - Izmir
Early in the morning departure from your hotel in Istanbul for an early domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival at Izmir, departure by bus for Pergamon, arrive and visit the ruins of great city of Pergamon, a center of education and the arts, which possessed one of the greatest libraries of antiquity. Not far from Pergamon’s Acropolis are the ruins of Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of classical times. Continue to the Archaeological Museum and the Red Court. The Red Court (Red Basilica) at the edge of the present day Bergama was probably a temple dedicated in the 2nd C AD to Serapis maybe also to Isis and Harpocrates. Later, in Byzantine Era, it was converted into a basilica and the central part was used as a church. Then drive to Akhisar to visit Thyatira,which is the site of one of the seven churches of Asia.. John’s criticism of Thyatira in Revelation was related to the prophetess Jezebel. Whether she was a real woman of that name or whether he intended her as a symbol of licen- tiousness, John saw the challenge to Christianity, which Thyatira represented as a moral decay among the mem- bers. The Apostle Paul’s first convert in Europe was certain woman named Lydia... a seller of expensive purple cloth from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14). Most probably, her influence helped the church grow in Thyatira. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the area. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 4 : Izmir - Sardis - Philadelphia - Pamukkale
After breakfast, depart by bus for Sardis. The partially restored Synagogue and the ruins of temples and church- es mark the importance of Sardis as a religious site. The Temple of Artemis built in 334 BC was one of the most impressive buildings of antiquity. During its days as a Roman City, Sardis became an important Christian Center. However, the church at Sardis evidently affected by the complacency of the city and its reliance on past glory; “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev 3.1). Sardis, the dead church, was like “white- washed tombs which... appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones” (Matt. 23:27). Its thriving healthy appearance masked and inner decay. However, John held out the hope to those who were not polluted that they should have robes of white. White was the color then of righteousness and immortality. Then continue on to Alasehir to visit Philadelphia, the faithful church. During the Byzantine times, Philadelphia was the seat of a Christian Bishopric. Its significance in Christian history was because it was the place of one of the seven church congregations addressed by John in the Book of Revelation. Lunch will be served at a local restau- rant in the area. Continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 : Pamukkale
In the morning start the day by visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, the sacred city, St.Philip’s Martyrdom. Later continue by further exploring Pamukkale “COTTON CASTLE” with its spectacular travertine, also espe- cially well known with its thermal springs that caused it to become the foremost health SPA of the Romans. In the afternoon, drive to Laodicea, a city in the fertile Lycus Valley of the province of Phrygia, where one of the seven churches of Asia Minor was situated (Rev 3:14). The words of the risen Christ to Laodicea in (Rev 3:14–22) contain allusions to the economic prosperity and social prominence of the city. The Apostle Paul does not seem to have visited Laodicea at the time he wrote (Colosians 2:1) Epaphras, Tychicus, Onesimus and Mark seem to have been the early messengers of the gospel there (Col 1:7; 4:7–15). A church council was supposedly held at Laodicea 344-363 AD, but all that has come down today are the statements from the other councils. Before returning to the hotel, the last visit will take place at Honaz – Ancient Colossae. It is importance in Christian history is because of a 1st century letter addressed to the town that was included in the New Testament. The letter to the Colos- sians, attributed to Paul, was probably written about AD 60 or 65. The grammar and the vocabulary of the letter have called into question Paul’s authorship. However, it could be that he asked one of his companions to put his thoughts into word and gave his mark of approval by adding a note at the end in his own hand. Paul also made reference in the letter to the Christian community in Laodicea. Lunch at a local restaurant in the area. After visits, return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 : Pamukkale - Aphrodisias - Kusadasi
Morning departure from Pamukkale for Aphrodisias the city of the Goddess of Love, the Byzantium Stavropo- lis, one of the most beautiful archaeological sights of Turkey with its well preserved ruins. Temples, a bishop’s palace, a theater, a huge stadium, a council chamber and, above all of these spectacular find, a great quantity of beautiful statuary distinguish Aphrosisas as one of the most attractive ancient cities in Anatolia. During the Roman Period there was a major school of sculptors at Aphrodisias producing masterpieces of white and blue- gray marble that were sent throughout the Roman world. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the area. Afterwards drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 : Ephesus - Kusadasi
In the morning, departure for the House of Virgin Mary. The belief that the Virgin Mary had spent her last days in a house in the vicinity of Ephesus and that she had died there, focused attention on a nun named Anna Cath- erina Emmerich who had lived in the late 18th century. The efforts to find the house were greatly influenced by her detailed description of the Mary’s coming to Ephesus, her life and her last home there. After the visit, drive to Ephesus Antique Site, one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity, where St.Paul preached. A large and impor- tant city one the west coast of Asia Minor where Apostle Paul founded a church. The history of Christianity at Ephesus began probably about AD 50, perhaps as a result of the Priscilla and Aquila. During his stay in Ephesus, Paul encountered both great opportunities and great dangers. He baptized believers who apparently came to know the gospel through disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19:1–5) and he countered the strong influence of magic in Ephesus (Acts 19:11–20). Besides its importance in the Christian history, Ephesus is the best preserved of the Antique cities in Asia Mi- nor. The Grand Theater with 24,000-seat capacity, where St. Paul preached, the Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, famous Street of Curetes and Celsus Library are among antique beauties to be seen during the visit to Ephesus Antique site. Many traditions testify that the Apostle John lived in Ephesus toward the end of the first century. In his vision from the Island of Patmos off the coast of Asia Minor, John described the church of Ephesus as flourishing, although it was troubled with false and had lost its first love (Rev 2:1–7). In the 6th century AD the Roman Em- peror Justinian raised a magnificent church to John’s memory in this city. Lunch will be served at a nice local restaurant in the area. Dinner & overnight will take place at the hotel.
Day 8 : Kusadasi - Transfer
Following an early breakfast, take an early morning flight to Istanbul and continue to USA.
Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.
Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.
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Istanbul, Izmir
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