In The Footsteps Of St. Paul & Seven Churches Of The Revelation ALT 2
1st Day : ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport
After customs clearance, reception of the group, then transfer to hotel in Istanbul.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul
2nd Day: ISTANBUL
Plunge to the heart of the history of Constantinople/Istanbul and discover its principal Byzantine and Ottoman monuments: St. Sophia Museum, the sixth century church built by the Emperor Justinian crowned with its awesome dome, the Ancient Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque named for the beautiful blue Iznik ceramic tiles and Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans.
Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
3rd Day :ISTANBUL
Visit the Egyptian Bazaar. Then, you will have an excursion on a private boat on the Bosphorus. This strait, a marvel of nature, is a bit longer than thirty km and is located between the hills of Asia and Europe, connecting the waters of the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. It is lined by yalis: seaside mansions. Especially the wooden yalis built in the 18th and 19th centuries are exceptionally beautiful.
You will also visit the famous Ottoman Fortress of Rumeli constructed just before the conquest of Constantinopolis, with a panoramic view of the Bosphorus.
Visit the 11th Century church of St. Saviour in Chora. After St.Sophia, St. Saviour in Chorais the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. Unremarkable in its architecture, inside , the walls are decorated with superb 14th Century frescoes and mosaics ,illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary These brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigor of Byzantine art. view of Istanbul, Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
4th Day :ISTANBUL – FLIGHT TO IZMIR
Take the morning flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, continue to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17). Visit Acropolis, Temple of Athena, the famous library, Royal Palace, Temple of Trajan, the steepest Theatre of ancient world, Temple of Dionysus, Altar of Zeus, seat of Satan, visit Red Basilica (St-John's Church), then the Archaeological Museum and Asclepium (Medical Centre of the ancient World) continue to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) which was a commercial centre on the road between Troy and Sardis, after visit of the remains of the church.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Izmir.
5th Day :IZMIR - KUSADASI
Visit Izmir - ancient Smyrna (Revelations 2:8-11). Visit ancient Agora, ascent to Mount Pagus once called the crown of the city, visit Alexander the Great's Castle overlooking the pearl of Aegean City Izmir.
Proceed to Ephesus veritable cradle of early Christianity (Revelations 1:11; 2:1-7) visit the shrine of Virgin Mary. Proceed to spectacular ruins of Ephesus from the period of St-Paul, see the Odeon, Bouloterion, Fountains, Temples, Celsius' Library, the Theatre and Gymnasium, Double Church. Then visit St-John's Basilica and his tomb,
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi
6th Day : KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
Departure to Pamukkale. On the way visit of Aphrodisias. Proceed to Pamukkale. Walk through ancient city of Hierapolis. Then visit ancient city of Laodicea. City of the aristocracy and wealthy , home of Xenon, centre of trade and a military base. Visit the theatre, odeon, stadium and one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (Revelations 3:14-22).
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pamukkale.
7th Day :PAMUKKALE - IZMIR
Departure to Philadelphia (Revelations 3:7-13) to see the city walls, the Acropolis and the remains of the cathedral. After lunch, visit Sardis (Revelations 3:1-6) capital of the ancient Lydia.
Drive to hotel in Izmir for dinner and overnight.
8th Day :DEPARTURE
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Izmir Airport and END of 7TUR SERVICES.