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DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer (optional) to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2
ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET
(GROUP WALKING TOUR)
8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. Today
we will visit the Saint Sophia (Haghia
Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian
in the 6th century A.D and stands over much
older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics
of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors
and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque,
which was built in the 17th century and is the
only imperial mosque with 6 minarets. We
continue to
the Hippodrome, a
stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times,
the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the
Egyptian
Obelisk, with the Fountain of
Wilhelm. We will also visit the Caferaga
Medresesi which was a school designed by the
famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now used
for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We
will have lunch and continue with the Turkish
and Islamic Arts Museum originally built as
the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 with fine
examples of Islamic Calligraphy, tiles and
carpets. Then we will explore the Topkapi
Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman
sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see
the Imperial Treasury with the famous
Spoonmaker Diamond. Also the Baghdad
Kiosk, the Armory with its collection
of Ottoman weapons and a fine collection of
ceramics. (Harem section is optional and due an
extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand
Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of
treasures Return to your hotel around 17:30.
This tour may be done completely as a walking
tour. *Note that on Sunday the Grand Bazaar is
closed, on Monday the Turkish and Islamic Art
Museum and St Sophia are closed and on Tuesday
the Topkapi Palace is closed. Overnight in
Istanbul.
B.L.
DAY 3
BYZANTINE CITY WALLS AND CHORA (GROUP OR PRIVATE
TOUR - OPTIONAL)
8:30 – 08:45 Departure from your hotel. Today we
will see Istanbul’s Byzantine City Walls that were
for the most part built during the 5th century by
Emperor Theodosius and are 8 km long. Built near the
walls and the Marmara Sea is the Castle of the
Seven Towers which was used as a prison during
Byzantine and Ottoman periods and was situated near
the famous Golden Gate We continue to the Kariye
Museum (Chora Church) with its 14th century
mosaics and frescoes with scenes from the Bible and
then the Tekfur Palace (view only) built during the
13th century, it is the only Byzantine Palace still
standing today. We will also see Hancerli Church,
a small Greek Orthodox church which is still
functioning. After lunch we continue to Eyup
Imperial Mosque (view from outside). It is one
of the most holy places in Istanbul and the burial
place of Eyub el-Ensari, who was the standard bearer
of the Prophet Mohammed. We then take a Cable Car
up to Pierre Loti Hill where you will get
a beautiful view of the Golden Horn and can enjoy a
tea or coffe in the famous Pierre Loti Café. We end
the tour with a short cruise on the Golden Horn.
Return to your hotel around 17:00 Overnight in
Istanbul. (or overnight bus to Izmir)
B.L.
DAY 4
ISTANBUL - IZMIR -THYATIRA - SARDES – PHILADELPHIA –
KUSADASI OR SELCUK (PRIVATE TOUR)
Transfer to the airport (optional) for departure to
Izmir if going by flight. Arrival in Izmir and meet
your guide, look for your name. Today we will begin
to see some more of the Churches of the Revelation.
We will make a visit of Izmir and St.
Polycarp Church. We will continue to Thyatira
(Akhisar), with remains of a temple, colonnaded
street and a large church, then to the ancient site
of Sardes with its temple of Artemis and
ancient Synagogue. It was once the wealthy capital
of the ancient Lydian Empire, and was the first
place in history that coins were minted. We will
also visit Philadelphia, which was a very
important place for the spread of the Christian
faith. Drive to Kusadasi or Selcuk and overnight.
B.L.(D).
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DAY 5
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY (GROUP TOUR) |
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Today we tour Ephesus, which was one of
the largest and most interesting ancient cities
of Asia Minor. It is considered to be the most
fantastic Greco-Roman site in Turkey. You may
imagine the Ephesians shouting at the
silversmith Demetrius, "Great is Artemis of the
Ephesians" in reaction to the preaching of St.
Paul against |
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man-made idols (Ephesus terrace houses are
optional and due an extra entry fee). A visit to
the house where The Virgin Mary spent her
last days, and the Temple of Artemis,
which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk.
B.L.(D) |
DAY 6
LAODICEA - PAMUKKALE (PRIVATE TOUR)
Today we drive through the Meander valley and make a
visit to Laodicea, then visit Pamukkale
and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the
Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the
fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths
of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was
martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early
church in Hierapolis and played an important
role in the history of the city. (Colossians 2;
18,4;13). Finally we visit the calcium terraces and
pools. You may have a chance to swim in a thermal
pool (extra). Return to Kusadasi or Selcuk for overnight.
B.L.(D).
DAY 7
PRIENE - MILETUS - DIDYMA (GROUP TOUR)
Visit three of the most important cities of the
antique period: Priene, Miletus and Didyma.
Priene is one of the most typical antique cities of
the Hellenistic Period. Paul's visit to Miletus came
at the end of his third journey as he was hurrying
to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost. The city was very
important with its 80 colonies, and philosophers
Thales and Anaximander. Apollo Temple situated in
Didyma, was the third biggest building in the world
at this time and was a most important place for
prophecies. Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk.
B.L(D).
DAY 8
PERGAMON - ISTANBUL (GROUP TOUR)
TWe will visit the Pergamon Acropolis, where
the ruins of Zeus Altar "Throne of Satan" can
still be seen today. Pergamon was a center of Roman
authority and a place of persecution for Christians
who denied imperial worship. The acropolis is
situated high above the plain and has a unique
panoramic view. The very narrow and steep theater on
the hillside could seat up to 10,000 people.
Parchment paper was first produced in Pergamon. We
will visit the remains of the Great Library, which
rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, the palaces
of the kings, and temple of Trajan. Visit the
Asclepion, which was known as the first place of
medical science. Galen, who originated from Pergamon
and became the most famous doctor of his time,
treated his patients here. Transfer to the airport
for flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival transfer
(optional) to your hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
(Or overnight bus to Istanbul)
B.L.
DAY 9
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
(B)
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TOUR PRICE:
PLEASE INQUIRE
WITH THE TOUR CODE |
| TAILORED
SEVEN CHURCHES TOUR (CODE: CR09) |
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INCLUDED:
Accommodation in hotel category of your choice
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
Museum entry fees
Transportation in
non-smoking a/c vehicle with prof. English
speaking guide and driver on tours (except
walking tour)
Bus ticket from Istanbul to Izmir and pergamon
to Istanbul or domestic flights. Where overnight
bus is included there is no hotel stay on that
evening and no breakfast the following morning.
Izmir Airport transfers
(with flights only)
Order of tour
itinerary may vary and other options may be
available, extensions available for any point of
the tour or shorter version of tour is also
available (this tour is a tailored tour
comprised of daily group and private tours)
NOT INCLUDED: International flights,
Istanbul airport
transfers, drinks, tips to guide and driver and
items of a personal nature.
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