Discover the 7 Churches of Asia Minor on a 14 Days Tour

Discover the 7 Churches of Asia Minor on a 14 Days Tour

Explore some of the best highlights of Turkey and see some of the breath taking places of history and amazing landscape that this beautiful country has to offer. During your trip, you’ll visit Istanbul’s highlights, including Hagia Sofia and cruise between two continents on a Bosphorus cruise.

Go to Tarsus which was the birthplace of the Apostle Paul where you can visit well, the Gate of Cleopatra, and the latest excavations. Then you will visit the archaeological remains of Seleucia, the port from which Paul, Barnabas and John Mark departed from Antioch on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:4).

You will go to the UNESCO-listed Ephesus where you will see one of the worlds best-preserved ancient site and see where Virgin Mary spent her final days at the House of the Virgin Mary. Get to experience Temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Upon arrival in Istanbul and meeting at the airport where we will transfer you to the hotel, have the rest of the day at your leisure
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 2: Sultanahmet – Old Istanbul

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Today you will have a tour of Istanbul starting with a visit to St. Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian and was the largest building in the world for more than 1000 years. See its intricate, beautiful mosaics and sizeable central dome.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Continue to the Topkapi Palace, used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries and see the splendid collection of priceless crystal, jewels, silver and porcelain, robes adorned by the sultans and the relics of the prophet Mohammed (entrance to the Harem is an extra charge).

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
After lunch, see the Blue Mosque, erected for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a magnificent piece of architecture with six minarets and features over 20,000 beautiful and intricate Iznik tiles.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkey
Visit the ancient Hippodrome with its Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Wander through the back streets of Old Istanbul and explore the Yerebatan underground Cistern and shop at the Grand Covered Bazaar (except on Sundays).

*This may be done as a walking tour if your hotel is centrally located.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise with Beylerbeyi

Stop At: Mısır Çarşısı, Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sok. No:92, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market located on the Golden Horn and take in aromas of all the herbs and spices on offer before you board your cruise of the Bosphorus which separates the two continents Europe and Asia.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Rumeli Fortress, Tarabya Yenikoy Cad., Istanbul Turkey
Cruise past the Rumeli fortress, constructed by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to prepare for his conquest of Istanbul.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sadberk Hanim Museum, Piyasa Cad. 27-29 Buyukdere, Istanbul Turkey
We will then visit the museum of Sadberk Hanim, which has an excellent private collection of artefacts that dates back to the prehistoric period and an ethnographic section that is housed in an old Ottoman building.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Beylerbeyi Palace, Abdullahaga Cad., Istanbul Turkey
After you have enjoyed lunch in a seaside fish restaurant, cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia where you will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, then on to Camlica Hill, for a magnificent view of Istanbul.

Cruise is done by a public boat unless other arrangements are made.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 4: Istanbul – Şanlıurfa

Stop At: GAP Şanlıurfa Airport, Merkez/Şanlıurfa, Turkey
Today you will have a morning flight to Sanliurfa where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Harran Ruins, Harran Turkey
Visit the breathtaking Mevlid Halil Mosque, the Cave of Prophet Abraham, then the sacred fish pool. You will also have a chance to see the Old Bazaar before continuing to Harran, city of the prophet Abraham where you can see the fortress, Islamic school and curious beehive-shaped adobe houses.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Urfa

Day 5: Şanlıurfa – Gaziantep – Hatay

Stop At: Gobekli Tepe, Dağeteği Mahallesi, Sanliurfa 63290 Turkey
After breakfast, we will take a drive to see Gobekli Tepe, which is one of the most incredible archaeological discoveries ever with its T-shaped megaliths carved with strange and delicate images, mostly of animals.

Gobekli Tepe is at least 12,000 years old and is thought to be a temple, and some say that it marks the site of the Garden of Eden.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hatay Tibbi Ve Aromatik Bitkiler Muzesi, AyyIldIz Sk. No:8 Sehitler Mahallesi, Antakya 31060 Turkey
Continue to Hatay via Gaziantep where the artisans of Gaziantep are specialised in making copperware and furniture with mother-of-pearl.

The city's fortress which has 36 towers, was initially constructed in the Justinian era and later rebuilt by the Seljuks.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Mithatpasa Mahallesi Haci Sani Konukoglu Bulvari Sehitkamil, Gaziantep 27500 Turkey
We will visit the fascinating Gaziantep Zeugma Museum with the collection of impressive mosaics from the ancient site of Zeugma (Belkis) and has become one of the most extensive mosaic museums in the world.

Explore the Old town of Gaziantep with beautifully carved stonework of doors and windows in the old parts of the city.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Birecik Kelaynak Uretme Istasyonu, Firat Sahil Birecik, Sanliurfa 63400 Turkey
Then we will leave Gaziantep and pass the Euphrates River with a stop at Birecik which is very famous for the nearly extinct Bald Ibis.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Hatay

Day 6: Hatay (Antioch)

Stop At: Antiochia ad Cragum, Guney Mahallesi, Nohutyeri Mevkii, Gazipasa 07900 Turkey
Antioch on the Orontes was the place that the people that believed were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

See the cave where they met in secret (may be partly closed for restoration).

Paul and Silas left Antioch on the second missionary travels (Acts 15:35-36).

Discover how the leaders such as Ignatius of Antioch and John Chrysostom had an impact.

In Acts 2:9, pilgrims from Cappadocia were assembled with the thousands in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost when they received the first baptism of the Holy Spirit and heard the Apostle Peter preach his powerful message.

Visit the mosaic museum (partially closed).
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Hatay

Day 7: Hatay – Tarsus – Cappadocia

Stop At: Tarsus, Tarsus, Mersin (Icel), Turkish Mediterranean Coast
Departure is in the morning where you will drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of the Apostle Paul where you can visit his well, the Gate of Cleopatra, and the latest excavations.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Seleucia Pieria, Unnamed Road, Kapısuyu, 31800 Samandağ/Hatay, Turkey
Then you will visit the archaeological remains of Seleucia, the port from which Paul, Barnabas and John Mark departed from Antioch on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:4).
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Eski Gumusler Monastery, 8km northeast of Nigde, 4 km from Kayseri Street Gumusler, Nigde Turkey
We will then travel to Cappadocia and stop by The rock-hewn monastery of Eski Gümüşler which is 10 km east from Nigde.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 8: Cappadocia

Stop At: Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu Turkey
Begin your tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sobesos Ancient City, 1 mile from Sahinefendi, Urgup Turkey
Drive to Sahinefendi ( Sobesos ) where you will see the Byzantine Period Mosaic Art and Archaeological excavation site. Villages in the valleys that are surrounded by the “tabletop” mountains are spectacular.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Keslik Monastery, Urgup Turkey
Then go to the Keslik Monastery near Cemil that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer before continuing to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old houses; excellent examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Red Valley, Nevsehir Ortahisar, Nevsehir 50650 Turkey
Continue with the panorama of the Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations and is located in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist crowd.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 9: Cappadocia

Stop At: Devrent Valley, Devrent Mevkii No:1 Aktepe Koyu Turkey
In the morning you will first meet with the incredible lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations that are beyond belief in Devrent valley.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Turkey
Take a journey into the past with its troglodyte houses, visit Pasabag's “fairy chimneys” where the sound of the wind mixes with the “songs of fairies” near Zelve.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Avanos Oren Yeri, Kapadokya Cd., Avanos 50500 Turkey
Lunch in Avanos the centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC and you will get a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Göreme Tarihi Milli Parkı, Ürgüp/Göreme/Nevşehir, Turkey
Afternoon time, visit the very famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century).
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Uchisar Castle, Uchisar Turkey
The we will go to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Cappadocia

Day 10: Cappadocia – Pergamon – Thyatira – Izmir

Stop At: Kayseri Erkilet Airport, Ahmet Yasevi Mahallesi, Mustafa Kemal Paşa Blv., 38090 Merkez/Kocasinan/Kayseri, Turkey
Take a morning flight from Kayseri to Izmir (direct or via Istanbul), and upon arrival, you will be met at the airport with your name sign.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ruins of Pergamum, 8 km (5 mi) from Bergama, Bergama Turkey
We will then drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama and is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. We explore the impressive Acropolis and is the steepest theatre in the world. Then we will visit Asklepieion an important medical centre of classical times and see the Altar of Zeus, mentioned as the "Throne of Satan" in the book of Revelation.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Red Basilica (Kizil Avlu), Adjacent to the second otogar, Bergama Turkey
See the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was a rival of the famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt where its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000 which inspired an invention of the parchment.

We will also visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church) before continuing our visit to Thyatira, which is now called Akhisar and is another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14] and was a city famous for purple dyes and Lydia, the trader of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira. We then visit the remains of a basilica and architectural fragments from the Roman period.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Old Smyrna, Ord. Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal Cad. No: 95, Izmir Turkey
Before we arrive at the hotel in Izmir, we will enjoy a scenic ride of Smyrna and is the third largest city in Turkey and is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. This city is scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We then travel to Mount Pagus where you will see the Citadel of Lysimachos and the commander of Alexander the Great was erected in the 4th century BC.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Izmir

Day 11: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis

Stop At: Sardis (Sardes), Belediye Cd. No:124 Sart, Salihli 45300 Turkey
Today we will depart in the early morning and visit of the most picturesque areas of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis which was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC and portrayed as a dying church.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Temple of Artemis, Ataturk, Park Ici Yolu No:12, Selcuk Turkey
We visit the magnificent Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church before visiting some ancient Lydian houses, and the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sardis (Sardes), Belediye Cd. No:124 Sart, Salihli 45300 Turkey
Then see several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis constructed by Cyrus the Great and also see the golden river Pactolus.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi, Soguksu Mahallesi, Ismet Pasa Cd. No: 114, Alasehir Turkey
Then we continue our travels to Philadelphia, now called Alasehir, another of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and is the only church that is not censured. Here we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a high arch and some 11th-century frescoes.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Pamukkale 20280 Turkey
Drive to the healing city of Hierapolis and Pamukkale, which is a white cotton fortress where hot mineral water bursts from the ground and cascades over cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The healing waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis, we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Laodicea, Just off Denizli - Pamukkale, Denizli Turkey
Proceed to Laodicea now known as Denizli, also a Church of the Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14] where you will see the ancient theatre, the remains of a basilica and some ancient stone water pipes.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Ataturk Boulevard Yenihisar, Didim 07330 Turkey
We will also visit the Gate of Domitian, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Arcadian Way, the Nymphaion, the Plutonium, the Temple of Apollo and the Necropolis.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Pamukkale

Day 12: Ephesus - Kusadasi

Stop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk 35920 Turkey
Drive to Ephesus where you will visit the ancient city of Ephesus, including the Basilica of St. John and the Ephesus archaeological museum.

The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians here and lived there for three years, and the church also received an epistle from him.

We tour the splendid ruins where excavations continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.

Walk through the long history along the marble streets lined with magnificent 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.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Selcuk 35100 Turkey
Visit The House of Virgin Mary, which is claimed she spent her last days before a drive to Kusadasi for an overnight stay.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Kusadasi

Day 13: Kusadasi – Istanbul

Stop At: Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Dokuz Eylül, 35410 Gaziemir/İzmir, Turkey
You will be collected from your hotel 2 hours before the flight departure, where you will be transferred to Izmir airport for a flight to Istanbul airport.

Upon arrival, you will then be transferred to your hotel for a free afternoon for the last chance to complete your visits.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 14: Departure Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for flight back home
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.