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According to Revelation 1:11, on the Greek island of Patmos, Jesus Christ instructs John of Patmos to: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamum, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
For now, we will discover …
Istanbul International Airport
3 Hours Before Flight Time
One Bedroom for each room (depends on number of guests in one room)
Depends on room type (one bathroom for each room)
The Book of Revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) (Revelation 2-3). Each letter, as proclaimed by Jesus and recorded by John the Apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent.
The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning present-day Christian communities of the snares that can lure us away from our faith.
After we have our breakfast at hotel, we check out from and proceed to Istanbul Old City. First we will visit Hippodrome Square which was the center of chariot races in Roman Era and also used as a public gathering center in Ottoman Era. After we enjoy history with beautiful remainings such as Egyptian Colomn, Serpentine Colomn , Constantine Colomn etc., we will continue our trip by visiting Hagia Sophia or St. Sophia which was built as an Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. However the giant worship center was converted in a Mosque by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1453. It is now a museum where you can enjoy the harmony of two culture in the same building. After our time finishes at Hagia Sophia, we continue our trip visiting Topkapı Palace which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1475. Topkapı Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey and also one of the biggest in the World by its 80 acres area. Topkapı Palace is the most visited palace in Turkey while it offers to its visitors many beautiful small mansions with nice view of Bosphorus Strait or Golden Horn, many valuable jewelleries which was used by the Sultans, Holy Relics such as David’s sword, Moses’ Staff and so on. Afterwards we proceed to Bursa and upon arrival in Bursa, we check in hotel and have our dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Bursa
After we have breakfast at hotel, we check out and proceed to Turkish Delight Shop for delicious Turkish Delights and other snacks that is unique to Turkey. Afterwards we continue our trip to Thyateira and its church (Revelation 2:18). Thyateira is now known as Akhisar and still located on one of the busiest trade roads as in Roman Era). After our visit there, we are going to visit the Ruins of Red Hall Basilica of Pergamon which was also one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 2:12-17). Later on we proceed to Smyrna/Izmir also one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 2:8-11). Izmir is the third largest populated city in Modern Turkey, and also home of many churches, among these churches we are going to visit St. Polycarp Church which is still active Catholic Church in Izmir. After our programme ends for the day, we proceed to hotel and check in.
Overnight in Kuşadası.
Early in the morning, we proceed to port to take boat to Patmos Island. Upon arrival in Patmos meet local guide there and proceed to Grotto of St. John the Bible. Later we visit Monastry of Apoclypse and then we proceed to Chirstodoulos Chapel. After we have our lunch, we proceed to port to take boat back to Kuşadası.
Overnight in Kuşadası.
On this morning after we have our breakfast at hotel, we start our trip first visiting Leather Factory Outlet which is famous nationwide and the whole Europe. After our shopping time, we proceed to Ephesus which was the Roman Empire Capital for Asian states and also was one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia ( Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7). In the famous Ephesus, we can still see the ruins of Celsus Library, Trojan Fountain, Great Theater where St Paul speeched twice and also was captured and was sent to Grotto for a couple of months. Also we will have chance to visit Mary’s Church where is the place for 4th Ephesian Council which resulted in divison of Catholics and Orthodoxes. On the same day, also we make a visit for Virgin Mary’s House which is believed to be one of the house used by Virgin Mary and also was visited a couple of times by Pope. Before we end our trip for today, we visit Tomb and Basilica of St. John the Bible. St. John has lived and died in Ephesus and spread Christianity for a while there. On our way to hotel, we stop by Olive Oil Shop and then we proceed to hotel and have our dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Kuşadası.
After we have our breakfast at hotel, we check out and proceed to Ruins of the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-5). Also Sardis was the city where the largest Jewish community lived during Roman Era. Afterwards we proceed to Ruins of St. John’s Church in Philadelphia which is one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 3:7-13). After our time there, we proceed to Laodiceia which is one of the Seven Churches of Minor Asia (Revelation 3:14-22). Afterwards we proceed to Cotton Castle Travertines / Hierapolis to enjoy the beautiful White Travertines. Hierapolis also known as the place where St. Philip’s graveyard is located. After we visit His grave, we proceed to hotel and have our dinner there.
Overnight at Pamukkale.
After we have breakfast we check out and proceed to Cappadoica via Psidian Antioch and Konya.
Psidian Antioch where is believed when St. Paul speeched about mission, almost all of the city population joined to hear Him (ACTS 13:14-52). Among the ruins of ancient Psidian Antioch, we are going to visit ruins of Basilica of St. Paul. Afterwards we continue our trip by sightseeing by bus in Konya and then visit Sultanhan Caravansarai Caravansarai which was used as an accomodation place for traders on Central Anatolia. Later upon arrival in Cappadocia we check in hotel and dinner.
Overnight in Cappadocia
This morning we have the chance to try Hot Air Ballon tour which is Optional.
After we have our breakfast at hotel, we proceed to Göreme Open Air Museum which was a monastry that was built on 4th century by St. Basil who is bishop of Caesarea (modern Kayseri city). The complex is full of Chapels that was carved into rocks and ornated with Icons or Wall paintings. Later we visit Undergound City which became an emergency home for the early Christians. Afterwards we are going to have some photo stops like Piegon’s Valley, Uchisar Castle, Imagination Valley. Also on this day we have some visits to Handcraft Centers like Carpet and Turquoise stone. At the end of the trip, we proceed to hotel and have our dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
On this morning after we have our breakfast, we depart from hotel and proceed to Istanbul via Ankara. First we are going to visit second largest lake of Turkey Salt Lake which is a source of 70 percent of salt that is used in Turkey. Afterwards we continue our trip to Ankara and upon arrival in Ankara, we are goint to visit Mausoleum of Ataturk who is the founder of modern Turkish Republic. Later on we proceed to Istanbul and when we arrive in Istanbul, we check in hotel.
After our breakfast at hotel, we start tour with a short cruise trip and enjoy the beautiful Bosphorus Strait with hundreds of houses by the strait and many beautiful palaces from Ottoman Era. After that we have our free time in Grand Bazaar for local souveniers. After we have stopped for photo at Istanbul City Walls that was built on 5th Century by Roman Empire, we are going to have dinner and then proceed to airport for flight back to your home.
Till we meet on another trip…
