Istanbul to Seven Churches of Asia Minor 4 Nights in 4 Star Hotels

Watch ancient history take shape before you on this five-day MİNİ Group tour, featuring historic churches that date back to Biblical times. Departing from Istanbul to Izmir combine the early history of Christianity with pre-Christian heritage, including a visit to 7 Churches of Asia Minor. Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Ephesus. This tour takes you to a huge variety of distinct and antique sites. Avoid the hassle of planning a complex itinerary; on this tour, your itinerary is taken care of.
* Selected centrally Located 4 star Hotels
* Small group ensures personal service
* Informative, friendly and professional guide
* Small-group tour by minibus
* Domestic flights included.
* Option with Private Tour for your family

Istanbul - 7 Churches of Asia Minor - Istanbul 4 Nights in 4-Star Hotels

Day 1: Flight to Izmir 
You will be picked up from hotel. and transfer to airport for flight to Izmir. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 2: Pergamum – Thyatira – Izmir (Breakfast)
At 08:30 your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and you will drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepion, famous medical Centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment. 

Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.
Drive back to your hotel for overnight in Izmir.

Day 3: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis (Breakfast – Dinner)
Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus.

Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th-century frescoes. Continue to visit Laodicea. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroads of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position. Then, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis & Pamukkale with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard . and The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters. Check-in at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.

Day 4: Ephesus – Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner)
Drive to Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.

Walkthrough history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city. We visit Basilica of St. John. Visit House of Virgin Mary before drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5 : Izmir – Istanbul (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to Izmir airport for noon flight to Istanbul. Arrival and our representative will transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
End of our services.