Turkiye 2024 – 7 Churches of Revelation and Istanbul

7 Churches of the Book of Revelation and fascinating Istanbul

Date	Tour Price - GBP	Tour Price - ZAR	Book NOW
4th - 10th May 2024	From £1190	From R28 298	Book Now
12th - 19th June 2024	From £1291	From R30 702	Book Now
20th - 26th July 2024	From £1291	From R30 702	Book Now
21st - 27th Sept 2024	From £1350	From R32 400	Book Now
2nd - 8th Oct 2024	From £1260	From R30 204	Book Now

Tour Itinerary

Indulge in an unforgettable journey through Istanbul and discover the teachings of the 7 Churches of the Book of Revelation in Asia Minor.

7 Churches

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea were literal churches that existed in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) during the first century A.D. Named for their geographical locations, the churches were strategically located along a major Roman road.

Ephesus

Known as the loveless church, was located at a major harbor on the Aegean Sea and housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (a temple to Artemis). Founded by Paul, this was the most prominent church in Asia Minor.

Smyrna

The home of Homer and the temple of Athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. In the second century A.D., Rome martyred Polycarp, its bishop.

Pergamum

This is the location of Rome’s provincial capital, was a major cultural hub that housed a library rivaling the famed Alexandrian library.

Thyatira

This was founded under Alexander the Great, was noted for its trade, particularly purple dye. Lydia, one of Paul’s converts, came from this region (Acts 16:14).

Sardis

The ancient capital of the Lydian kingdom, was situated atop a plateau and sustained a series of foreign conquests.

Philadelphia

Known as the “Gateway to the East, was renowned for its grapes, textiles, and leather goods.

Laodicea

The ancient capital of Phrygia, gained wealth through trade and banking. It was also known for its medical school and costly fabrics.

Istanbul

Istanbul is an enchanting blend of Eastern and Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique identity. Although no longer the capital of Turkiye, Istanbul still remains the country’s cultural and business centre.

It is the only city in the world that sits on two continents: Europe and Asia. It is a melting pot of cultures in a city rich with history and a sense of freedom.

Istanbul offers an unforgettable experience for its travellers, with its colourful daily city life and dynamic nightlife. The beautiful silhouette of the city combines historical sites and monuments such as Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, Venetian towers, Ottoman palaces from the Byzantine, Ottoman and Turkish periods.

Included

All sightseeing as per the itinerary.
All guiding by licensed English speaking tour guide.
All entry fees to the sites and museums as listed.
Hotel Accommodation.
Daily Breakfasts.
Daily Dinner.
All Internal flights - from Istanbul to Izmir.
All airport transfers.
All service charges and local taxes.
All transportation by private van with driver.
Daily bottle of water.
Whisper Sets

Excluded

International Flight (we can assist with booking this)
Travel and Medical Insurance
Additional Services
Food & Drinks - lunches
Visa Expenses
Tipping

Tour Plan

Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul, transfer to hotel

Welcome to Turkiye.

Arrive in Istanbul Airport, Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Istanbul.

Optional : you can take a walk down Istiklal street and Galata tower area for a late night coffee

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour : Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Spice Bazaar

Our journey in Istanbul is about to begin! As the only city in the world situated on two continents, Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, history, and architecture. With its three different names spanning over 2600 years, Istanbul has been the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has ever known, the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

Our first stop is the Topkapi Palace, a grandiose complex that once served as the main residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. The palace is home to some of the most exquisite Ottoman art, treasures, and jewels. We will be amazed by the intricate details and opulence of this stunning palace.

Next, we will visit the Hagia Sophia, a true masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Once a church, then a mosque, then a museum and now a mosque again, the Hagia Sophia is a testament to Istanbul's rich history and cultural diversity. Its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and stunning architecture will leave us speechless.

Afterward, we will visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. This impressive mosque is famous for its stunning blue tiles and six minarets, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Istanbul.

The Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place, is also on the itinerary. It's a great place to learn about Istanbul's history and witness its impressive monuments.

Before the day ends, we will visit the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs and immerse ourselves in Istanbul's vibrant culture.

After a long day of exploration, we will spend the night in Istanbul, ready to continue our journey the next day.

Day 3 - Istanbul City Tour : Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus, Transfer to Izmir

This morning at 08.30 a.m, after breakfast, we will be picked up from our hotel.

Ensure that your luggage is in the lobby by 8am to be loaded onto our tour bus for our transfer to the airport for our flight to Izmir in the late afternoon.

Our first stop this morning will be the the Grand Bazaar, which is the largest and oldest covered market in the world. The Grand Bazaar offers a unique shopping experience, where we can find a variety of goods such as clothing, jewellery, ceramics, spices, and much more.

After exploring the Grand Bazaar, we will enjoy a traditional boat trip on the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus is a natural strait that separates Europe and Asia and is considered one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. During the boat trip, we will see stunning views of the shore, which is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.

In the afternoon, we visit the Underground Cistern, which is an ancient underground water reservoir that was built during the Byzantine era. The Cistern is an impressive engineering feat, with 336 columns supporting the ceiling and a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water.

This evening we will take a flight to Izmir, a coastal city on the Aegean Sea. Izmir is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant nightlife.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and spend the night in Izmir.

Day 4 - Visit Pergamum, Thyatira and Smyrna

At 8:30am, our guide will meet us at the hotel lobby after breakfast and take us to Pergamum, also known as Bergama.

This historical site is one of the Seven Churches of Asia, mentioned in Revelation 1:11 and 2:12.

We will have the opportunity to explore the magnificent Acropolis, which houses the steepest theatre in the world, as well as the Asklepion, a renowned medical center from classical times.

Additionally, we will see the Altar of Zeus, which is mentioned in the book of Revelation as the "Throne of Satan," the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan, and the Library, which was once a rival to the famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt.

The Library of Pergamum was the foremost in the world and contained an estimated 200,000 volumes, inspiring the invention of parchment. It is sure to be a fascinating and educational experience.

Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.

Lastly we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. Smyrna is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Visit Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea and Hierapolis

Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus.

Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes.

Continue on to visit to Laodicea. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.

We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC.

Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.

Day 6 - Visit Ephesus and overnight in Kusadasi

After enjoying breakfast this morning, we embark on a scenic drive to Ephesus to explore the ancient city's captivating history.

Ephesus is known for its significant place in the Christian faith as the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and even lived here for three years. In fact, the church in Ephesus received an epistle from him. Today, we have the opportunity to tour the remarkable ruins where excavations are still taking place in this once great and vital city founded in the 10th century BC.

As we stroll along the marble streets, we'll be transported back in time as we take in the magnificent public buildings, such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Theatre.

The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was also built in this city.

Our tour also includes a visit to the Basilica of St. John and the House of Virgin Mary before we drive to Kusadasi, where we will spend the night after dinner.

Overall, our visit to Ephesus promises to be an awe-inspiring journey through history, where we can experience the rich culture and heritage of this ancient city.

Day 7 - Transfer to the airport for your flight home

This morning after breakfast, with packed bags, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight home.

As we prepare to head back home, we take some time to reflect on all the amazing memories we’ve made.

Whether it's the stunning scenery we have witnessed, the delicious local cuisine we tried, or the new friends we made along the way, these experiences will stay with us for a lifetime.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.

Be sure to book your next tour soon.

Tour Tip

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UK passport holders do not require a visa to visit Turkiye. South African’s can apply for a free visa online – https://www.evisa.gov.tr/
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The balance is payable 10 weeks prior to departure.

All prices are per person, based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers not wishing to pay a single supplement will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender.

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