Tentative Itinerary

The intent of the tour is to visit each of the sites listed below. Sites closed because of weather, renovation or other unforeseen circumstances will not be visited. The tour guide is given the freedom to use their discretion in the order in which sites are visited. At times they may visit sites in a different order/day than listed below.

Saturday, May 11:  Depart from the U.S.

 

Sunday, May 12:  ISTANBUL (Arrival)
Arrive in Istanbul. Transport to our hotel for dinner and overnight at Moevenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul or similar. (2 nights)

 

Monday, May 13:  ISTANBUL:  Archaeological Museum: Hezekiah’s tunnel (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chron. 32:30; John 9:7) Herod’s Temple Warning (Acts 21:27-31; 24:6,12,13)

We will begin our time in Istanbul with a tour of the Old City. First, we visit the pinnacle of Byzantine Christian architecture, Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”). Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century as the crowning achievement of his sacred building program, this church was the center of the Christian Byzantine Empire. It’s one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage site. We will also visit Hagia Sophia’s sister church, Hagia Irene (“Holy Peace”). Also rebuilt by Justinian, Hagia Irene is significant in Christian history as the location of the 2nd Ecumenical Council (381 AD).

Then we will make our way to Istanbul’s archaeological museum, one of the most celebrated collections in the world. Among its treasures are the Siloam inscription from Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem, Herod’s Temple Warning Inscription forbidding Gentiles to enter upon pain of death, the Gezer calendar (One of the oldest Hebrew inscriptions dating to the tenth century BCE details the agricultural seasons in Israel), and stunning tile panels from Nebuchadnezzar’s Ishtar gate in Babylon (ca. seventh to sixth century.)  We will stroll through the colorful and fragrant Egyptian spice market, a feast for the senses, to enjoy its sights, smells and tastes.

Our day will end with a relaxing boat tour along the Bosphorus that offers an excellent view of Istanbul’s many famous landmarks on its European and Asian shores. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

Tuesday, May 14: Fly to Izmir, Smyrna, Kadifekale, Polycarp Church

After breakfast we fly to Izmir (flight included in tour package). İzmir, historically Smyrna, is the third largest city in Turkey, located on the Aegean Sea. In Izmir, we will visit Smyrna’s Acropolis and Kadifekale for an overview of the city. Then we visit the archeological site of biblical Smyrna (Revelation 2:8) with its Roman Agora and where the early church father Polycarp was martyred. Then we will visit St. Polycarp Church (if open), which was dedicated to Polycarp, a disciple of John, bishop of Smyrna, and martyr, and ponder John’s word of commendation for the Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in their faith despite persecution. Dinner and overnight at the Izmir Marriott Hotel or similar. (3 nights).

 

Wednesday, May 15: Ephesus

The day will begin as you travel to Mount Bulbul and stop at the House of the Virgin Mary. Christians and Muslims consider this site sacred, and on their visits, they light candles and leave their prayers and wishes tucked into a wall. Next, we’ll visit the famous ancient city of

Ephesus. This site had successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements and was an outstanding example of a Roman port city with a sea channel and harbor basin into which the apostle Paul sailed. He lived and ministered here for two to three years after a riot in the Great Theater, which we can still visit today. Excavations have revealed other grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including marble-paved roads, terrace homes of the elite, Roman baths, the Celsus Library, and more. Today, Ephesus is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We’ll enjoy a Turkish lunch in the Town of Selcuk while visiting a local Anatolian handmade carpet and kilim production center and learning how our world-famous Turkish rugs are made. We may even see a flying carpet or two! After lunch, we’ll tour the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus displaying ancient coins, statues, and mosaics from early and late Roman periods. Next, we’ll visit the Tomb and Basilica of St. John, the last surviving disciple of Jesus, who is said to have lived in Ephesus during his final years along with Jesus’ mother, Mary. Finally, we’ll see the remaining pillars of one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, The Great Temple of Artemis of the Ephesians. Return to Izmir for dinner along the Izmir Bay.

 

Thursday, May 16: Pergamum and Thyatira

Today we 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 Asclepieion. 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” (Rev. 2:12–17). 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 tolerance of a woman who was leading believers astray, symbolically called Jezebel, causing them “to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:18–29). Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

 

Friday, May 17: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Colossae

Following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and head for Sardis. Here, we’ll see the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis (later converted to 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 (Rev. 3:7–13) commending them for their patient endurance in spite of persecution.

On our journey we will make a brief stop at Colossae 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 two letters: one to the church of Colossae and one to Philemon, who hosted the Colossian church in his home. We will also visit 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 (Rev. 3:14–22). It also 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). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. You will have an opportunity to relax in the mineral rich water from regional hot springs at our hotel, Doga Thermal Health & Spa in Pamukkale or similar. (1 night)

 

Saturday, May 18: Hierapolis

Our day will begin with a visit to the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis, where will see the newly found Tomb and Martyrium of St. Philip. While in Hierapolis, we will also visit the city’s theater, with one of most impressive reconstructed Roman skenes. We will finish our time at this site with a walk along Pamukkale’s dazzling Calcium Cliffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its breathtaking waterfalls and calcium cliffs known as “the Cotton Castle.” In the afternoon, we will travel to Antalya, which in Paul’s day was known as Atallia and was the place from where the apostle Paul sailed home at the end of his first missionary journey. Dinner and overnight at the Ramada Hotel or similar. (1 night)

 

Sunday, May 19: Transfer to Airport and Departure

Take transfer to Istanbul Airport. From the airport, you will either fly to Cappadocia for the tour extension or connect with your flight home.

 

—— OPTIONAL CAPPADOCIA EXTENSION ——

 Sunday, May 19: Transfer to Airport: Cappadocia (3 nights)

From the airport, you will fly with the group to Cappadocia (flights book and included with extension), famous in Christian history for the Cappadocian Church fathers and mothers who established early Christian communities here. After arrival, we will have a full day of sightseeing in northern Cappadocia, visiting the Zelve Valley area, famous for its lunar landscapes and whimsical fairy chimneys. These stem and cap rock formations made from volcanic ash are unique to this area of the world. A short drive will take us to the Avanos pottery village to see this local handcraft passed down from generation to generation since the Hittite period as well as the Onyx they also produce. Overnight at Crown Plaza Cappadocia or similar. (3 nights)

 

Monday, May 20: Cappadocia

We will continue exploring northern Cappadocia. Our first stop is the Göreme Open Air Museum, where we will see the remains of several hundred early monasteries, chapels and churches, including the famous “Dark Church,” that were hollowed out of the cones of volcanic ash. Some of them are decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. That area also includes the Red and Rose Valleys, aptly named for their red and pink cathedral-like rock spires. It’s one of the loveliest trekking valleys in the region, so we’ll hike through the valley in order to explore more rock-hewn churches before taking a break for lunch in an old Cavusin Greek village known for its Christian heritage. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Kaymaklı, an underground city that was an early Christian center extending downward in the earth for at least eight floors and housing several thousand people in the eighth and ninth centuries. Then we’ll head back up to check on the Uchisar area to see Love Valley and discover how it gained this moniker. This region also includes Pigeon Valley, where the birds’ manure helps to fertilize the rich local vineyards, and those who wish will have an opportunity to try local Cappadocian wine. Our day will end with a hike up to the Uchisar rock castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, to gain a spectacular sunset view of the area. Overnight in Cappadocia.

 

Tuesday, May 21: Cappadocia

Our tour will head to southern Cappadocia. First, we’ll stop in the Ihlara Valley for a lovely walk along the river that runs through the heart of this gorge carved from the volcanic rock. This valley alone contains almost 60 Byzantine (11^th to 13th centuries) churches, chapels, monasteries, and hermits’ caves. Next, we’ll visit the canyons of Soğanlı, an area that has been occupied since Roman times and was a center for Christianity in the Byzantine Empire. Today, it’s a bit “off the beaten path” and less visited by most tourists, so we’ll be able to explore at our leisure more cave churches with evocative animal names, such as “Doves,” “Deer” or “Snake” Churches. Our drive back will take us through some traditional Turkish villages where you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. Overnight in Cappadocia.

 

Wednesday, May 22: Homeward

Transfer to Kayseri Airport. Connect with returning flights home.