BIBLICAL
GROUP TOURS (For minimum 16-person groups) PRS 901 / 7 EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
OF REVELATION - STUDY TOUR Arrive in Izmir and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Izmir (D). Day 02, Friday / IZMIR-EPHESUS-IZMIR Departure
in the morning. Visit Ephesus Antique City*, the most visited ancient Biblical
site of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins, also sites of the
palace and the temple of Domitian, the Caesar who exiled John the Revelator to
Patmos, and amphitheater where the crowd rioted because of the success of Paul?s
evangelism for Pergamum; House of Virgin Mary where she reportedly spent her last
years together with St. John (John the Revelator); Ephesus Archaeological Museum;
St. John’s Basilica and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the
ancient world. Return to Izmir for overnight (B, D). * Hillside Houses are excluded
Day 03, Saturday / IZMIR Free in the morning. In the afternoon
visit to the ancient Agora in Smyrna and St. Polycarp’s Church, the oldest church
building in Izmir. Overnight in Izmir (B, L, D). Day 04, Sunday
/ IZMIR-THYATIRA-PERGAMUM-IZMIR In the morning drive to Pergamum via Thyatira.
After visits to the Asclepion, Acropolis and Red Courtyard, which served as Temple
of Serapis, but later symbolized one of the Seven Churches of Anatolia, drive
back to Izmir for overnight (B, D). Day 05, Monday / IZMIR-SARDIS-PHILADELPHIA-PAMUKKALE
In the morning drive to Sardis, the capital of Lydian Kingdom which houses one
of the seven churches, and see the ruins of the largest synagogue ever excavated.
Continue to Alasehir (Philadelphia) to see the Church of St. John. Proceed to
Pamukkale for overnight (B, D). Day 06, Tuesday / PAMUKKALE-LAODICEA-COLOSSAE-ISTANBUL
In the morning visit to the ancient Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple
and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard and then proceed to the recently excavated
Roman city Laodicea and Colossae, ancient city mentioned in the New Testament
book of Colossians. Drive on to the Denizli Airport and fly to Istanbul. On arrival
in Istanbul bus transfer to the hotel for overnight (B). Day 07,
Wednesday / ISTANBUL Full day tour. St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of
architecture constructed as a basilica in A.D. 536 by Emperor Justinian; Blue
Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles
and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th
century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art; Hippodrome, the scene
of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political
activities of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius”
from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II”
and the “Colossus”. In the afternoon, Topkapi Palace - Harem section is excluded
- built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans
housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains,
weapons, calligraphy section, etc. After the visit to Grand Covered Bazaar, the
most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops, drive back
to the hotel. Optional “Turkish Night Dinner Show”. Overnight in Istanbul (B).
Day 08, Thursday / ISTANBUL In the morning visit the aromatic Spice
Bazaar, circa 1663, with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs
along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it
was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then walk to the pier and board the public
(or private, depending on the number of the participants) boat. Sailing through
the Bosphorus waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - there
will be ample opportunities to photograph marble palaces, ancient wooden villas
of Ottoman architecture, and stately modern residential homes. During this trip
the Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih
Sultan Mehmet Bridges as well as Rumelian Fortress, a historical armament built
by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect the access to the Bosphorus, will
be visible from the sea. Disembark the boat and ride the bus back to the city
to visit Kariye Museum (St. Savior in Chora). Drive back to the hotel or new city
for a free late afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul (B). Day 09, Friday
/ ISTANBUL-HOME Bus transfer to the Istanbul airport for the departure flight
(B) Istanbul stay can be extended „h A daily Iznik (Nicea) + Bursa tour
can be arranged on optional basis „h All of our tours will be accompanied by a
Biblical scholar to provide Biblical relevance at the religious sites (If required,
groups can bring their own scholars. In such a case, this scholar will be supplied
with free services throughout - but excluding the international air ticket - on
complimentary basis) „h Most hotels and restaurants offer buffet dinners with
a good selection of vegetarian foods. | 
