Day 1: Arrival at Izmir. Transfer to the hotel in Kusadasi. Brief orientation. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 2: Full day Ephesus Tour. Our tour will begin with the Basilica of St. John "the Evangelist" who came here with Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel in Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis, which is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is located here.
Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). St. Paul's preaching in the area resulted with the uproar of the Guild of Silversmiths and eventually the whole population of Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trojan, the Theater and Odeon. Then visit to Ephesus Museum. We will also visit the House of Virgin Mary, where Virgin Mary is believed to have lived the last years of her life. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 3: Depart for Miletos, a great Ionian port as well as the birthplace of several philosophers and sages. Famous Philosopher Thales, who comes from Miletus, is famous for the theory that proposes all things come from water. Highlights here are the Theater, Baths of Faustina and the Council Chamber. At Miletos St. Paul had warned the Ephesian Elders that some from their own company would distort the truth ( Acts 20:29- 30). Drive to Didyma, the Temple of Apollo was one of antiquity’s most sacred places. Continue to Priene, which was once the most active ports of Ionian Federation. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4: Drive to Aphrodisias . This ancient city of learning, fine arts and sculpture has provided us with exquisite pieces of work which are on display on the site. Its Stadium is among the best-preserved in Asia Minor. The "Bishops Palace", Odeon and the Theater will be the highlights here. Continue to Pamukkale for overnight.
Day 5: Visit to Colossae, famous as the receiver of St. Paul’s Letter to Colossians. Continue to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22). Arriving at Pamukkale. View the geographical phenomenon of the unique white calcium waterfall. We will go on with Hierapolis, an ancient health spa with the largest necropolis (cemetery) in the Asia Minor; which has impressive ruins and splendid theatre. Overnight in Pamukkale in a thermal hotel.
Day 6: Drive to Philadelphia, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3:7- 13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem” (Rev. 3:12). Continue to Sardis, another one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3:1- 6). Sardis was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom from 6th Century BC and was the home of the famous king Croesus. Temple of Artemis, Royal Road, Gymnasium and Synagogue are the highlights. Finally visit to Thyatira. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1:11; 2:18- 29). Arriving at Ayvalik for overnight.
Day 7: Depart to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12- 17). Visit the Acropolis and the Asclepion, one of the most important medical centers of the Roman period. Continue to Izmir, the third largest city in modern Turkey. In St. Paul’s day, the town was known as Smyrna. It was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2:8- 11). We will visit the Agora, the colonnaded commercial center where Roman statues can still be seen. Then visit St. Policarp Church. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 8: Transfer to the airport. Departure.
YOUR VIRTUAL TRAVEL GUIDE
With our small virtual travel guide, we would like to give you a foretaste of the fascinating history of our homeland, its treasures and mesmerizing beauty of the landscape. In this section, we have provided information and photo material of the most famous places and sights of Turkey .
Simply choose your interest on the list above, or click on the description in the itinerary on the site or the attraction.
We hope you enjoy your virtual journey of Turkey .
