Itinerary

Day 1

As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own.
*In early evening we will take a walking tour of nearby Ortakoy. Located on the banks of the Bosphorus and underneath the Bosphorus Bridge, Ortakoy is in a lovely setting, known by all Istanbulites for it's stunning views and trendy coffee and tea shops. If you would rather rest in your hotel after your flight, you can do that.
*In the evening we will join together for a short time of prayer for your journey, and then proceed to dinner. Dinner will be your first introduction to the cuisine of Turkey .
>Dinner provided< overnight in ISTANBUL
>>>>>>Christianity Significance for today: Ortakoy has been known for generations as a place of tolerance of all religions. In it's small community it has a mosque, Greek Orthodox church, and Jewish synagogue. In past times when the rest of the city was quite divided among religious lines, often in deep disagreement, the families of Ortakoy were known all over Istanbul for their peace, respect, and tolerance for each other's beliefs.

Day 2

This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you'll see today
*Byzantine Hippodrome--The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it's center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
*Topkapi Palace--the residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker's Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist's skull and arm bone. You also will see the Harem where all the women of the Palace were "kept", and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle that is home to some of the holiest Muslim relics...including the mantle worn by the Prophet Mohammed and hairs from his beard.
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it's architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
*Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics
*Underground Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century--Wander underground in this cavern built during the time of Justinian and view classical columns including one with the base carved as the head of Medusa
*In the evening we will join for another Turkish dinner.
>Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner provided>>>>>Christianity Significance for today: The Hippodrome area, with Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace at it's edges, was once the center of the Byzantine Empire, ruled by Constantine. Constantine was of great significance to the Christian world because he declared Christianity the official state religion of the Byzantine Empire. With Christianity declared officially for the Byzantine Empire, the construction of big churches began everywhere in Byzantium. Socrates, who chronicled the church history of the 300's AD, wrote that Constantine erected Haghia Sophia .

Day 3

In the early morning we will drive west, heading towards the Aegean Sea.
Sites you'll see today
Gallipoli and The Dardanelles --after our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce WWI fighting between Allied forces and the Turks. At ANZAC cove thousands lost their lives on one fateful dawn morning. From here we go to a ferry and cross the Dardanelles. For World War 1 buffs, you will know the Dardanelle Straits were a strategic crossing point for the allied armies to cross from Europe to Asia Minor. Over a nine month campaign, more than half a million soldiers lost their lives in the fight to control this strait of water and nearby Gallipoli peninsula.
*Troy -- is the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken!
*Alexandria Troas was visited by St. Paul several times during his missionary journeys. Today, it is one of the many sites of Turkey that conjure up that feeling of great antiquity slowly disappearing beneath the grinding wheels of time.
*Assos is another place that Paul visited. St. Luke writes that during Paul's third journey, rather than board a ship at Alexandria Troas, Paul chose to walk the 30 miles to Assos and rejoin the ship party there. Today, Assos is a quaint small harbor town with a sweeping view of the Aegean and nearby Greek Islands.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided< overnight in ASSOS
>>>>>>Biblical Significance for today: Acts 16:8-12; 20: 4-14; 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 4:13 It was while in Alexandria Troas that Paul was given a vision of a Macedonian that urged Paul to go help the people in Macedonia. Later, on another of Paul's journeys, Paul had to leave Ephesus in a hurry to escape a riot. Before fleeing to safety in Macedonia and Greece, Paul stopped in Alexandria Troas. In another stop in Troas, the famous episode of the restoration of Eutychus to life took place.

Day 4

We continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, seasonal fruit and pistachios. We then will head east towards our first site of the day.
Sites you'll see today
*Pergamum is one of the seven churches of Revelation. At the time that Christianity traveled along the Asian Minor caravan routes and trade ships, it was one of the largest cities of the area. It was rivaled only by Ephesus in its wealth, temples, and beauty. The ancient acropolis dominates the view from all around. Most memorable to you will probably be Pergamum's ancient theatre. Carved straight out of the high hill-side, it is one of the steepest ancient theatres in the world--and the view is amazing. Sites in Pergamum to see include the acropolis, asclepion, and red basilica.
*Thyateria is another of the seven churches of Revelation.
*We will stop to learn how the infamous Turkish carpets are handcrafted and created by Turkish women. You might even get a chance to tie your own knot on a carpet!
*Izmir will be reached in the late afternoon and will be where we spend the night. Towards evening we will go up the mountain of Kadifekale to admire the spectacular view at sunset.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided< overnigth in IZMIR
>>>>>>Biblical Significance for today: Acts 16:11-5; Revelations 2:12-29 The Christians of Pergamum were praised for not having given up their faith although St. John said they lived where Satan's throne was. As you walk around the ancient city and see the temples built to worship the local cults, you will understand what St. John meant. Even some of the Christians were being tempted into practicing the heresy of Balaam in Pergamum, and St. John gives a direct warning to them. In Thyateria, St. John warned the Christians of their tolerance of the prophetess Jezebel, who was probably a priestess of the Sibylline oracle of the city. To those oblivious to this woman, he praises their works, love, faith, service and endurance. One specially noted woman that came from Thyateria was Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. Lydia met Paul and was instructed by him while in Philippi.

Day 5

This day will be spent visiting three of the Revelation churches and then winding down the late afternoon in a thermal spa resort.
Sites you'll see today
*Smyrna, known today as Izmir, once was a place where more Christians and Jews lived than Muslims. Thousands of foreign diplomats, traders, merchants and sailors were based here. We will see the ancient agora and the Church of St. Polycarp. St. Polycarp was Smyrna's first bishop who served the city for over 50 years. When the Roman proconsul ordered St. Polycarp to renounce his faith, he refused and was burned at the stake.
*Sardis is the place that historians believe coinage was invented. It was a rich Lydian city that was known for it's gold. Today, we will look at the remains of several churches that St. John wrote to, as well as an ancient synagogue. Known as Sepharad in Aramaic, this site dates back to mention of it in the Old Testament book of Obadiah when exiled Jews lived here.
*Philadelphia is another of the seven Revelation churches. It was once called ‘Little Athens" during the Roman period. Today we will see remnants of the surrounding wall that once encircled the entire city, and the Church of St. John.
*Pammukale is where we will wind down our busy day. We will stay at a thermal spa hotel where you can relax by the pool side, or indulge in the thermal waters. In the morning we will see the sites of Pammukale, but if you want to go there to see the sunset you could do that on your own.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided>>>>>Biblical Significance for today: Revelations 2:8-11 The Christians of Smyrna lived in one of the Roman cities where they were killed by being thrown to wild animals or were burned alive. They would have taken comfort with the words of St. John that said "Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer....Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." ; Sardis is mentioned in Obadiah 20 and also in Revelations 3:1-6 St. John said that the Sardis Christians had quite a few problems. "I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.....I have not found your works complete in the sight of God." A few faithful did live and St. John praises them..."you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy." To the church of Philadelphia, St. John said that they had kept the word even though they had limited strength. St. John further told them that because they had kept their endurance that they would be kept safe in the times of trial that was coming. Except Smyrna, Philadelphia is the only church among the seven that he did not say words of condemnation to. Revelations 3:7-13
>>>>>>Christianity Significance for today: If the tour members would like, we will provide the supplies for a communion service to be held this evening at a fitting outside sight. This could be a nice time for members to come together and share their feelings and what they have learned during their stay in Turkey. It would also be a wonderful time to pray for the salvation of Turkish hearts that do not know Jesus. This nation is one that is 98% Muslim.

Day 6

A cotton castle, a hillside of tombs, and an ancient sculpture school....there is never a day in Turkey that you are short of eclectic sites to see!
Sites you'll see today
*Pammukale, which means cotton castle, is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as itcooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale is nowa world heritage site.
*Hierapolis was founded as a healing care centre in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centres of the Roman Empire. It eventually had a large Jewish and Christian community, and during the Christian era the city of Laodiceia, one of the Seven Churches written of in Revelation, was founded 8 km away.
*The tomb of St. Philip is back in the hills behind Hierapolis. Philip was a well-known saint of the region. St. Philip met his death as a martyr, and in honor of his service to God the Christians erected a matyrium over the site of his tomb. Special ceremonies and meetings were held here in the name of St. Philip.
*Laodicea is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation written about by St. John.
*Colossae was the church that St. Paul wrote to in the book of Colossians. This site will be a good experience of seeing what a ruin site is like before much excavation is done. We will be able to see an ancient church and other remnants of the once teeming city.
*Afrodisias was named after Aphrodite, the goddess of love, fertility, and nature. It was a famous site for the cult worship of Aphrodite and it is not known if any Christians lived in this town. It probably was the type of city St. Paul told Christians to avoid! Besides the fame of the cult of Aphrodite, the settlement was famous for its school of sculpture. Nearby marble supplies, as well as famous scholars, attracted students to its school and created a demand for its work throughout the Roman Empire. As a result an amazing collection of quality sculpture has been found. Today Aphrodisias is a wonderful site to explore and one your favorites places will probably be the oval shaped 30,000 seat stadium. As you sit down and look at the field you can almost hear the ancient roar of the crowd as they watched chariot races or gladiators. You can also visit the Tetrapylon, the Bishop's Palace, the city baths, and of course what would an ancient city be without a theatre. This one comes complete with individually labeled seats.
*You will reach your hotel in Kusadasi located on the Aegean Sea in the afternoon. You will have the rest of the day to rest, swim, or sunbathe beside the crystal blue Aegean.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided>>>>>Scriptural Significance for today: Revelations 3:14-22 It is interesting to note how St. John wrote to this church with references to local customs. He reproved the church saying that spiritually it was neither hot nor cold but rather lukewarm. This reference would have significance to the people because archeological findings show that it's water may have been literally lukewarm. Surviving pipes are choked with lime deposits and it is quite possible the water came from hot springs in the south and cooled to lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. Furthermore, St. John writes that it was rich and in need of nothing and that it didn't know that it was poor, blind and naked. He said it should buy gold of the risen Christ refined by fire, white garments and salve for the blind eyes. Again, these references bear local allusions because it was rich and famous for garments made of it's famous black wool. Another allusion points to the need for them to buy salve for their eyes. This area was also famous for it's Phrygian powder which was used for diseases of the eyes. The book of Colossians was a letter written to the Christians of Colossae while Paul was either in Ephesus or Rome. Paul says that the Colossians learned their faith from the messenger Epaphras who was a Colossian (Col 1:7; 4:12 Philemon 23). He also took the Good News to the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea. (Col 4:12-13) It is interesting to note that the kind of heresy that was mentioned in Paul's letter is confirmed by an inscription on the theatre wall of Miletus, a nearby ancient city that we will visit tomorrow.

Day 7

We will visit three ancient cities today while driving through beautiful Turkish farmland and countryside.
Sites you'll see today
*Priene is found in a dramatic setting high up in the mountains, overlooking the farmland way below. It dates back to 300 BC when it was one of the League of Ionian Cities. It's ancient population was 5,000 and had a well planned grid system design for its streets. In early days it had a port but by the Roman period the nearby Maiandros River silted up the land into a swamp.
*Miletus was an important commercial and governmental center from 700 BC until 700 AD. Although today this ancient city is surrounded by farm land, when it was at it's peak the Aegean Sea rose to it's city walls. You can still see where the harbor once brought goods to and fro. The most memorable part of visiting Miletus is to sit in one of the 15,000 seats of it's ancient theatre, and then wander the passageways that connect the sections of the theatre.
*Didyma was not an ancient city, but rather a sacred place of pagan worship. It's fame rests in it's Temple of Apollo that was built in the 7th-8th century BC, although the works seen today are from the 4th century efforts of Alexander the Great. The Diymaion Temple was the 3rd largest temple in the ancient world. Soothsaying and prophecies were told here by an elite group of priests for 1400 years until Christianity became the state religion of the Byzantines and ended pagan practices. The temple was famous for its Oracle that gave divine information about the future to the priests who then relayed such prophecies to the worshipping people After seeing this ancient site with it's towering pagan temple, you can much better picture in your mind the type of lifestyles the early Christians were up against and those of which St. Paul so earnestly warned to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11) >Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided>>>>>Scriptural Significance for today: Acts 20 tells of the stop that Paul made in Miletus during his third missionary journey. It was at this time that he was not safe to go back to Ephesus to speak, and thus called the elders of Ephesus to Miletus to meet with and preach to. Although Acts does not say, it is easy to assume that during the years Paul lived in Ephesus, he visited with the nearby Christians of Miletus. While Paul was in Miletus he knew that soon he would be returning to Jerusalem and this meeting with his friends was bittersweet, since he knew what was in store for his future. "But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again." (Acts 20:25)

Day 8

We will visit Turkey's most impressive Biblical site today, in what may well be your most memorable day in Turkey. We will also visit other significant Christian sites.
Sites you'll see today
*Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities from Roman times. At the time St. Paul lived in Ephesus in the 60‘s AD, it was at it's Roman heyday with a population around 250,000. When St. Paul lived in Ephesus he would have addressed the Ephesians in the great theatre, that today impresses everyone that walks into it's stands. Ephesus was a great ancient city and much of it has been preserved for you to see. More than any other site, you can walk the streets, stand in the great theatre, wander in the library, look towards the hill where St. Paul was put into prison, and feel that you are walking back into the time that St. Paul lived. After being here, you will read the book of Ephesians with new eyes.
*The House of The Virgin Mary where it is believed St. Mary came to live with St. John in the last years of her life.
*The Church of St. John was erected by Emperor Justinian in memorial to St. John whose tomb is within it's walls. St. John came here towards the end of his life with the Virgin Mary whom he cared for. He wrote the gospel of St. John and his other letters during the last years of his life here.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided>>>>>Scriptural Significance for today: Book of Ephesians; Revelations 2:4; Acts 18: 18-20:1, 17-38 Among many things St. Paul taught in Ephesus, he made a stand against idolatry. This made all of the Ephesian street peddlers and craftsmen extremely upset, as their livelihood depended on making and selling idols of fertility. After St. Paul's speech, a slump in idol sales made one silversmith, Demetrius, so upset that he led a group that made claims St. Paul was disrespecting the goddess Artemis, a local cult religion. At one point St. Paul was banished to a nearby hill prison. The Ephesians gathered to protest St,. Paul at the great theatre and all chanted "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" St. Paul of course wanted to address this protest, but was persuaded not to by his disciples, who feared for his safety in such a riled up mob. Soon after this uproar, St. Paul left for Macedonia and later wrote a letter back to the Christians in Ephesus that would become Ephesians, one of the most read and loved books of the New Testament.

Day 9

We will leave this morning for the Izmir airport, where we will fly back to Istanbul.
Sites you'll see today
We will go to the Eminonu waterfront, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Grand Bazaar. the tour will take it's final cruise of the Bosphorus, passing all of the historical buildings, palaces, mosques and fortresses. Before the group turns in for the night, we would like one more time to pray together, specifically for your journey home and once again for the gospel to reach hungry hearts here in Turkey. **Note that lunch will be on your own today.
>Breakfast/Dinner provided< overnight in ISTANBUL

Day 10

Gule, Gule! Our tour has come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. To see additional trip add-ons, see below or go to the top of this page and click on trip add-ons.

Contact us for all your inquiries and questions

Gule, Gule! Our tour has come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. To see additional trip add-ons, see below or go to the top of this page and click on trip add-ons.

Contact us for all your inquiries and questions

Gule, Gule! Our tour has come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. To see additional trip add-ons, see below or go to the top of this page and click on trip add-ons.

Contact us for all your inquiries and questions

Gule, Gule! Our tour has come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. To see additional trip add-ons, see below or go to the top of this page and click on trip add-ons.

Contact us for all your inquiries and questions

Extra Information

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Accommodation,

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drinks