Smyrna and Pergamon

Agora Open Air Museum - Guests will be greeted at Izmir Airport, Selcuk, or Kusadasi and driven to Izmir City Center. The tour will explore the ancient city of Smyrna, now İzmir, through the Agora Open Air Museum. This historic site, reconstructed in the 2nd century AD, was the social and commercial hub of Smyrna, featuring ruins that reveal the city’s vibrant history. Visitors can explore remnants of its marketplace, including colonnades and public buildings, offering a glimpse into life in ancient times. Today, the museum connects visitors with Smyrna’s rich cultural and historical legacy, making it a compelling destination for those interested in the intersection of history and civilization.

Pergamon Ancient City - The tour continues to Bergama to explore ancient Pergamon, noted in Revelation as “Satan’s throne” for its pagan practices. A key site in the Seven Churches tour, Pergamon features ruins like the Altar of Zeus and the ancient theatre, reflecting its rich Hellenistic and Roman heritage. This stop highlights early Christian challenges and the city’s historical significance in medicine and learning.

The Asklepion - The visit to the Asclepion stands out as an ancient medical complex dedicated to the god Asclepius. Renowned for its innovative healing techniques, including dream therapy and hydrotherapy, the site offers insights into early medical practices. Exploring its ruins, such as the therapeutic theater, highlights ancient holistic approaches to health, adding a unique dimension to the tour.

Red Basilica (Kizil Avlu) - The tour includes a visit to the Red Basilica, a highlight of the Seven Churches tour. Originally an Egyptian temple, it was transformed into a Christian basilica, showcasing the religious transformation in Pergamon. Its red brick facade is notable, symbolizing the early Christian community’s resilience amidst a pagan world. This site offers insights into the dynamic history of Christianity’s growth and adaptation. At the end of the tour, guests will be driven back to Izmir for an overnight stay.

Thyatira – Sardis – Philadelphia

Akhisar - After breakfast, the tour proceeds to Thyatira, now Akhisar. Featured in the Book of Revelation for its faith and perseverance, yet warned against tolerating false prophets, Thyatira is famous for its trade guilds, especially in textiles. Its archaeological sites reflect its rich economic and religious history. This mention in Revelation underscores the early Christians’ struggle to maintain their faith in a pagan-dominated society, making Thyatira a compelling visit on the Seven Churches tour, highlighting the challenges and resilience of the early church.

Sardis (Sardes) - The next stop is Sardes, recognized in the Book of Revelation for its warning of spiritual complacency. Once a wealthy ancient Lydian capital known for inventing coinage, its ruins, including a gymnasium, synagogue, and Temple of Artemis, showcase its rich past. Sardes’ story in Revelation calls for spiritual awakening, underscoring the contrast between material wealth and spiritual depth, making it a reflective stop on the Seven Churches tour about the early church’s need for genuine faith and revival.

Pamukkale - Denizli

Hierapolis - After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to Hierapolis to see the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, and Theater. The tour also includes a visit to the Martyrium of St. Philip, offering a profound glimpse into early Christian history and enriching the spiritual experience of this ancient site.

Hierapolis Arkeoloji Muzesi - The Archaeological Museum of Hierapolis is located within the Ancient City of Hierapolis, encompassing structures like the Ancient Roman Bath, Gymnasium, and library. The visit to the Hierapolis Museum is the perfect finale to the journey through the history of this ancient city.

Cleopatra Pools - Above Pamukkale’s white travertine pools, the Antique Pool awaits. Fed by the same thermal springs, it’s where Cleopatra once bathed. This modern spa facility allows guests to enjoy these historical healing waters. The Antique Pool is a Roman ruin today, but no less impressive. Guests can immerse themselves, navigate around fallen columns and Roman artifacts, and relish the therapeutic waters. Pose for photos while balancing on submerged temple stones.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools - Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famed for its striking white calcium cascades and hot springs, making it one of Turkey’s top Instagram-worthy destinations. The name ‘Pamukkale’ translates to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. These healing hot springs once served as a pagan cult center in ancient times. The terraces, shaped by mineral-rich running water, continue to evolve over thousands of years. Today, Pamukkale’s pristine beauty remains well-preserved. Guests can immerse themselves in the soothing hot springs, unwind, and capture stunning photos of this natural wonder.

Laodicea - The tour then visits the ancient city of Laodicea. The church of Laodicea is rebuked in Revelation for its “lukewarm” faith, symbolizing spiritual complacency. A wealthy hub for banking, textiles, and medicine, its ruins, including a stadium and aqueducts, reflect its historical prosperity. This critique in Revelation highlights the importance of sincere faith, making Laodicea a thought-provoking stop on the Seven Churches tour, encouraging reflection on spiritual commitment. At the end of the tour, guests will be driven to Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Ephesus - Kusadasi

Ancient City of Ephesus - The tour explores Ephesus, one of the most significant trading hubs of the ancient Greek and Roman Empires and arguably the most renowned archaeological site in Turkey. As a bustling port city, Ephesus played a pivotal role in commerce, exerting considerable influence over the ancient world. It was not only a key commercial center but also a vital religious hub in early Christianity, recognized as one of the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation.

In Ephesus, guests can marvel at the architectural wonders such as the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, and the grand Theater, among others. These monuments testify to the city’s historical significance and its sophisticated urban development.

Ephesus Terrace Houses - These exclusive residences are situated on the slopes opposite the Temple of Hadrian along Curetes Street. Commonly known as the “rich houses,” they were uncovered during recent excavations. The houses near Curetes Street feature colonnaded porticoes, while step streets connected directly to the house entrances. The tour will stop at Terrace Houses to explore the Houses of Rich Ephesians.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - The House of Virgin Mary is a Catholic and Muslim shrine located in Bülbüldağı, near Ephesus. This sacred place has been visited by various popes and received the Patriarchate Blessing.

The Temple of Artemis - The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, is another highlight. Only one or two pieces of marble remain from the temple, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

The Basilica of Saint John - The final stop is The Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, marking the believed burial site of St. John the Apostle. Constructed in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, this once grand Byzantine church is now a captivating ruin, showcasing a cross-shaped layout with remnants of columns, gates, and a baptistery. It offers insights into early Christian architecture and was a significant pilgrimage site. At the end of the tour, guests will be driven back to Izmir Airport for their flight.

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Breakfast
• Professional tour guide
• Accommodation in local hotels

• Personal expenses and tips
• Lunch, Dinner and drinks

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.