9 DAYS TURKEY AND SEVEN CHURCHES
Itinerary
Day 1: ISTANBUL. Arrival in Istanbul. Upon arrival, meet your guide/lecturer and private transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the Sultanahmet area (D).
Day 2: ISTANBUL. After breakfast, start sightseeing of major highlights in Istanbul, once the capital city of three Empires. Tour includes visits to the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque famous for interior Blue colored Iznik tiles, St. Sofia Church (now Grand Mosque) which was once the largest Christian Church of the world, and the Underground Cistern. Lunch will be served in the historical restaurant at the Topkapi Palace overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. After lunch, continue visiting the major sections of Topkapi Palace which was the royal seat of Ottoman Sultans more than 400 years. Late afternoon enjoy exploring the streets and alleys of the Grand Bazaar. Dinner & overnight (B, D ).
Day 3: ISTANBUL – TROY A scenic coach drive will go along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara and then crossing Dardanelles by a ferry. Afternoon visit the ruins of Homeric Troy where St. Paul made a visit during his second campaign to Asia Minor and Macedonia. Dinner and overnight at Tusan Hotel situated at the Asian coast of the Dardanelles offering a fascinating sunset over The First World war memorial (B,D).
Day 4: PERGAMUM—IZMIR. Morning departure for Pergamum. Visit the Asclepion - the first medical center of the ancient world, the Acropolis, Library, Theatre, Temples of Trajan & Dionysus, the site of the monumental Altar of Zeus, Gymnasium and Lower Agora. Afternoon proceed to Akhisar, to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, one of the 7 churches, set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardis. Then drive to Izmir to visit St Polycarp. Overnight at Izmir. Dinner & overnight at Berksoy Bergama Hotel or similar (B, D ).
Day 5: SARDIS-EPHESUS. Morning departure to the site of Sardis – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of the Church of Sardis, built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Then we proceed to the ancient Philadelphia Church at Alasehir, one of the last cities to fall to the Ottomans. Drive to Ephesus. Dinner and overnight in Kalehan hotel in Selchuk (B,D).
Day 6: EPHESUS. Day to explore Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved Greco-Roman city of the ancient world. Tour starts with a visit to Mother Mary's House which was announced as to be a pilgrimage place for Roman Catholics by Pope Paul VI. Then visit the spectacular remains and edifices of the city of Ephesus including the State Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Marble Road and the Temples of Hadrian and Trajan. Then visit the impressive Celcius Library and finally the famous Amphitheatre where St. Paul preached to Ephesians. Lunch will be served at one of the local restaurants in Selchuk. Afternoon continue visiting St. John's Basilica and the local museum where the major findings from Ephesus are on display. Dinner and overnight at Selchuk (B,D).
Day 7: APRODISIAS– LAODECIA- PAMMUKALE. Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the ruins of Aphrodisias, a Roman city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and beauty. After lunch, continue driving to Pamukkale. Before reaching Hierapolis, visit the ruins of Laodecia of which people were addressed by St. Paul in one of his letters written from Patmos island. Late afternoon arrival at Pamukkale. Enjoy your time walking in the thermal waters and white slopes before checking in at the hotel. Dinner and accommodation in Pamukkale (B, D).
Day 8: ISTANBUL Morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, half day sightseeing with your private guide and private bus to visit Kariye Museum (now Mosque), with mosaics and frescoes inside onsidered masterpieces of the Byzantine "renaissance" and Sergius & Bachus Churches. Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise and a short excursion to Asian side. Farewell dinner with local Turkish specialties including “lachmatzon” and overnight in Istanbul (B,D).
Day 9: After breakfast, private bus transfer and assistance to the Ataturk airport for your flight back home. (B)
We provide:
Accommodation for eight (8) overnights in selected 4 **** star Hotels in double/twin bedded rooms in central location, all with modern facilities and amenitic
Daily buffet breakfasts
Eight (8) dinners in the hotels or restaurants with Turkish specialties
Private luxury motorcoach as per itinerary (including driver's expenses) with professional driver
Professional English speaking licensed guide/lecturer throughout tour
All entrance fees to the museums and sites indicated in itinerary
Domestic (internal) flights from Pamukkale to Istanbul including taxes and one piece of checked luggage
24-Hours Assistance from local reps