Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Old City for a full-day tour. We will visit: Sultan Ahmet Square, the Hippodrome, the Obelisks, the German Fountain, the magnificent Hagia Sophia (exterior view), Topkapi Palace and the Harem, which were the setting for films about the Ottoman sultans and their families, the Blue Mosque, and the historic Grand Bazaar. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Your journey west from Istanbul, through Thrace, the European part of Turkey, promises a rich tapestry of history and scenic beauty. Sailing across the Sea of ​​Marmara, you'll enjoy views of the summer houses dotting the coast. As you cross the Dardanelles Strait, your guide will recount the poignant story of the First World War, highlighting British losses, as evidenced by the bunkers perched on the hillsides. Continuing south towards Çanakkale, you'll pass through the Troas region, a place of profound biblical significance. It was here that the Apostle Paul had a vision during his second missionary journey, where he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-13). Later, Paul spent a week preaching in Troas, and it was there that Eutychus miraculously revived after falling from a window (Acts 20:6-12). A highlight of your journey will be a visit to ancient Troy, famous for its legends and archaeological treasures. Excavated in 1873 by Heinrich Schliemann, Troy offers a glimpse into the ancient past that has captivated the imagination for centuries. Accommodation and dinner at a hotel in Çanakkale.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Our first visit of the day is to Pergamum. The church of Pergamum was praised for its patience (Revelation 2:12-17); it was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We will visit the legendary Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, see the foundations of the Altar of Zeus, and the ruins of the library (which once housed 200,000 volumes). Next, we will travel east to Thyatira, where we will admire the ancient road and columns from that era. Thyatira was once a bustling commercial center and famous for being the "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches. We will then continue south to Izmir, the third-largest city in Turkey and a historical center for both Jews and Christians. In Paul's time, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Revelation 2:8-11). Dinner and overnight stay in Izmir.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Leaving our hotel in Izmir, we will visit the Church of Polycarp and the ancient Roman agora. Afterward, we will travel to Sardis, a city rebuked by John for its fortress-like appearance when, in reality, it was weak (Revelation 3:1-6). Coins were minted here, and wool dyeing originated here. We will visit the gymnasium and the synagogue. Our next stop will be nearby Philadelphia, from where we are challenged to persevere and eagerly await the arrival of the "New Jerusalem" (Revelation 3:7-13) of Revelation. Little remains of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern town of Alasehir. Overnight and dinner at the Pamukkale Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Hierapolis “εράπολις”, meaning “Holy City”, was an ancient center of pagan worship until it became a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was probably the hot springs of Hierapolis (in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae) that, combined with other factors, prompted the application of the word to the lukewarm Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14-22). This connection between the cities underlies Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:13). Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit, including a stadium and the remains of a sophisticated water system. Nearby Colossae is known in Christian circles as the city that received Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Today, the city has fallen into oblivion and nothing remains. We spent the rest of the day traveling through the Turkish countryside until we reached the port city of Kusadasi, where we spent two nights. Dinner and accommodation in Kuşadası

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We traveled to the nearby city of Selçuk to visit ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was once a thriving port city of 250,000 inhabitants. Today, the spectacular excavations of the main streets of this ancient city can still be admired. We saw the Library, the Agora, the theater, the colorful mosaics of the aristocratic Townhouses, and a panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area (which includes a rich ecclesiastical history and cultural significance). Afterward, we continued with a visit to the Basilica of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal font and is believed to be the final resting place of St. John. From here, we had an excellent view of the port of Ephesus, the Mosque of Jesus, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Next, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where Mary is believed to have arrived in Ephesus with St. John and lived until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to Orthodox faith). As this house is a pilgrimage site, it is visited by many Christian tourists throughout the year. Dinner and overnight stay in Kuşadası.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Transfer to Izmir airport for our return flight to our country of origin.

Meal Included: Breakfast