Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul Arrive in Istanbul and meet your guide at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and overnight in Istanbul. Day 2: Full Day Istanbul Tour Meet your guide at the hotel lobby. First visit is to Hagia Sophia, a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque and now a museum. See spectacular mosaics which depict the Virgin Mother, Jesus, saints, Byzantine emperors and empresses and biblical scenes. Our second stop will be The largest parish, minor Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua. This church is run by Italian priests and has masses in several languages. After lunch, we will visit one of the more famous being the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Our last stop will be Santa Maria Draperis, one of the oldest churches of Istanbul. It is open every day, except Sunday. After the tour, drive back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, lunch) Day 3: Pergamon - Thyatira Pick up in your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to airport. Fly to Izmir. Upon your arrival in Izmir Airport, meet your guide at the exit gate and make your way to Pergamon, the third church. Visit Asclepion, a famous medical center 2000 years ago. Then drive to the Acropolis. Maybe the most spectacular structure in the area is the Theatre, a remarkable piece of engineering built into the steep hillside. On the way to Izmir, we will visit the Thyatira, the fourth church of the seven, and the church "that had a false prophetess (2:20)". After the visit, drive to Kusadasi. Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Lunch) Day 4: Smyrna, Ephesus Early departure to visit the Church of St. Polycarp which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna (Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11). Smyrna is the second church of the seven, "that would suffer persecution (2:10)". Then, depart for Ephesus, the church that "had forsaken its first love (2:4)." Ephesus is the first church of the seven. First, visit House of the Virgin Mary. In Ephesus, see the Artemis Temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Library of Celcus, Basilica of St. John, The Odeon, The Temple of Hadrian, The Temple of Domitian, The Theater, believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world, and The Tomb/Fountain of Pollio and some other ruins. After the visits, continue to Pamukkale. Stay overnight in Pamukkale. (Breakfast, lunch) Day 5:Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis Morning visit to see Hierapolis, The Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle is here and Eskihisar, ancient Laodicea (Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22), "the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16)." Laodicea is the seventh church of the seven. Continue to Alasehir where the ancient Philadelphia Church (Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13) is located. Philadelphia is the church that "had endured patiently (3:10)." This is the sixth church of the seven. After lunch proceed to Sardis, the church that "had fallen asleep (3:2)." Sardis is the fifth church of the seven. Excavations in Sardis unearthed perhaps the most impressive synagogue in the western Diaspora yet discovered from antiquity, yielding over eighty Greek and seven Hebrew inscriptions as well as numerous mosaic floors. Return back to Izmir Airport. Fly to Istanbul and take the departure flight. End of our services. (Breakfast, lunch)
