Smyrna & Bergama: Smyrna, “The Suffering Church” Bergama, “The Compromising Church”.

Izmir - Welcome to Izmir Airport. Upon arrival, the tour guide will greet you, and you will proceed to Smyrna. The church of Smyrna endured hardship amidst prosperity as it resisted dedication to the Roman Empire. It was home to the esteemed second-century bishop, Polycarp, who was martyred by burning at the age of 86.

Pergamon Ancient City - After a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from Izmir, you will reach Bergama. A cable car will take you to the Pergamon Acropolis. Following Smyrna, the tour continues to Bergama, featuring the Acropolis, the Great Theatre, and the Altar of Zeus.

Red Basilica (Kizil Avlu) - This temple is one of the most significant Roman-era structures still standing in the ancient Greek world, as noted by Wikipedia. It is remarkably impressive and has served various religious purposes over the centuries, from Egyptian gods to Christianity, and now houses a small mosque in one of its remaining towers.

Asclepieion of Pergamon - Asklepion was the world’s first psychiatric hospital. It gained prominence under the Romans in the 2nd century AD, though a sacred site existed here as early as the 4th century BC. Visitors seeking treatment might receive herbal remedies, massages, mud and bathing treatments, dream interpretations, and water from the sacred spring on the premises. The holy spring is known to have radioactive properties. Visitors are welcome to use the water on any part of their body that needs healing during their visit. Notable ancient patients included Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian, Caracalla, and many gladiators. Critically ill individuals were not admitted, as the site focused on healing those within the scope of recovery. Consequently, there is no graveyard on the site.

Thyatira, “The Adulterous Church”, Sardes, “The Dead Church”, Philadelphia, “The Faithful Church”

Akhisar - 08:00 Departure from Bergama: After breakfast at the hotel in Bergama, the tour proceeds to Akhisar to visit Thyatira, once a bustling trading center and one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations.
09:10 Arrival at Thyatira (Akhisar), known for its purple cloth trade during the first century AD and as one of the apocalyptic churches in the Book of Revelation. The “Jezebel” of Revelation resided in this city. As a historical site, it may seem underwhelming, but new excavations could reveal more exciting discoveries in the future. The tour will spend about 30 minutes in Thyatira before driving for an hour to Sardes.

Sardis (Sardes) - 10:40 Arrival at Sardes. Sardes served as the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, founded in 1300 BC and destroyed in 1200 AD. It is renowned as the birthplace of coin minting. The gold dust carried by the Paktolos Stream, which flows through the city, contributed to its wealth. The city features shops, a bath, and the largest synagogue in the world, capable of accommodating 1000 people. The gymnasium is particularly fascinating. The Roman Road is a city poised for further exploration with its shops, baths, and toilets.
1km from Sardes, the Temple of Artemis stands. Commissioned by Alexander the Great, this temple was one of the largest in antiquity. Only two columns remain, but their scrolled capitals are exquisite, allowing one to imagine the temple’s past grandeur. The Artemis temple includes a church that reflects the cultural and spiritual evolution of the people. The tour then continues to Philadelphia, a journey of about one and a half hours.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale & Leodicia. “The Lukewarm Church”.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - 08:00 Departure from Hotel: After breakfast, the tour heads to the white terraces at Pamukkale.
10:10 Arrival at Pamukkale. Located in Aegean, Turkey, Pamukkale is also known as the “Cotton Castle” due to the white cotton-like appearance of its mineral bath spas, rich in calcium. Known as a “spa town” since Roman times, tourists visit Pamukkale to enjoy the warm, soothing, and therapeutic waters of its spas. Hierapolis, or “Holy City,” was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip also lived and was buried here. Hierapolis is unique as it is built on limestone deposits above the mineral springs, rather than on water. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the ruins scattered throughout the city, including a graveyard housing the sarcophagi of significant ancient figures like Marcus Aurelius. Departure from Pamukkale is around 11:30.

The ancient city of Laodicea - 11:20 Arrival at Laodicea. The tour visits Laodicea, one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. The seventh church is the Laodicea Church. For institutional archaeology, it is crucial to detect, restore, and protect the church, dating back to the period of Constantine. The site includes a stadium, baths, temples, a gymnasium, theatres, and a bouleuterion (Senate House). On the eastern side, the ancient wall’s line is clearly visible, along with the remains of the Ephesus gate. Streets traverse the town, flanked by colonnades and numerous pedestals. North of the city, towards the Lycus, are many coffins with their covers nearby, partially embedded in the ground, all having been long since looted. The tour will spend about 2 hours in Laodicea.
At the end of the tour, the journey continues to Kusadasi, which is 183 km away, taking approximately 3 hours to reach. Overnight stay and dinner in Kusadasi. 17:00 Arrival at Kusadasi.

Ephesus & Virgin Mary House & St.John. “The Loveless Church”.

Ancient City of Ephesus - 08:00 Departure from Kusadasi. After breakfast at the hotel, the tour proceeds to Selcuk town to visit the Ephesus Ancient City.
08:30 Arrival at Ephesus. Ephesus was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, with over 250,000 people in the 1st BC. Ranking only behind Rome, it was the second-largest city in the world. Ephesus was also a harbor city, entirely constructed of marble. Did you know Ephesus had the largest theater in the ancient world, with over 25,000 seats? Visitors can also see the Goddess Nike, the local pharmacy, Hadrian Gate, Library of Celsus (the third-largest library), Marble Street, and Harbor Street. The tour will spend two and a half hours in Ephesus before driving to The House of the Virgin Mary, a 20-minute journey.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - 11:20 Arrival at The House of the Virgin Mary. The second stop is The House of the Virgin Mary, located atop Ephesus and 9 km away. The site where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and the Shrine of the Virgin Mary offers a wonderful atmosphere amidst the greenery. The Basilica of Saint John, as early as the 4th or 5th century, a Christian church was built over a simple grave, supposedly the tomb of St. John. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian constructed an impressive domed basilica to replace the earlier church.

The Basilica of Saint John - 12:20 Arrival at the Basilica of St. John. The ruins of the Basilica of St. John are less imposing, but the site holds a unique power. The church stands near the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, forming a harmonious set of two significant religious icons, now in ruins. Ayasuluk Hill, where the basilica ruins are located, is a promontory overlooking the Selcuk district and the surrounding valley. The scattered stones and low walls hint at the large building that once stood here. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, it was once one of the largest and most influential churches in Christianity. The building was significant because it was believed that the body of the apostle John was buried there. Although there is no Biblical mention of John being here, early Church tradition strongly links the apostle to that city. While historical evidence for Paul’s presence in Ephesus is strong, John’s connection to the region is also notable.

The Temple of Artemis - 13:00 Arrival at The Temple of Artemis (Diana). The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was the most renowned center of worship outside Delos. In Acts, Ephesian metalsmiths, feeling threatened by Paul’s preaching of the new faith, exclaimed, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” They rebelled jealously to defend him, shouting. In Ionia, the “Lady of Ephesus,” a goddess identified by the Hellenes as Artemis, was the principal deity.
Artemis Temple maintained its distinguished status throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods, attracting visitors worldwide and functioning as an international bank. Its financial center status led to the Goths’ invasion in 623 AD, who pillaged and burned it down. However, the temple’s actual destruction occurred after 400 AD when its marble blocks were looted for use in Christian churches.

• Private transportation
• Lunch
• All Fees and Taxes
• English Speaking Guide
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• 3 Nights 3 or 4 Star Hotel Accommodation with Breakfast and Dinner
• Parking Fees
• Cable Car
• 3 Dinners

• Gratuities for Guide and Driver

The land that is now Turkey was the location for many of the people and events in biblical history. Turkey is mentioned extensively in the Bible, especially in the book of Acts when it was known as Asia Minor, and by the names of its provinces such as Pamphylia, Derbe, Lystra, and Phrygia. Turkey was the birthplace of the apostle Paul. He was from Tarsus, which is in the shadow of the Taurus Mountains (Acts 9:11).
Turkey is also the location of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamos, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea.’

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.