8-Day Biblical Turkey: Seven Churches, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to your hotel and check in. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, explore Istanbul’s historic landmarks. Visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and the Blue Mosque, renowned for its İznik tiles. See the historic Hippodrome, once the setting for chariot races. Continue to Kariye Mosque, formerly the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, to view Byzantine mosaics and frescoes along the visitor route. End the day at Topkapi Palace and explore its imperial collections. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, depart for İznik (Nicaea). Cross the Bosphorus by bridge and take a short ferry across the Sea of Marmara en route. İznik hosted the First Council of Nicaea in 325 and the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787. Visit Hagia Sophia Mosque, where the 787 council was held, and see the city walls. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Bursa, an early Ottoman capital. Visit the Grand Mosque, Green Mosque and Green Tomb. Overnight at your hotel in Bursa.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, drive to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Explore its archaeological site, including the remains of a Byzantine church, the restored bath-gymnasium complex, the Great Synagogue and ancient shops.

After lunch, continue to Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir) and visit the remains of the sixth-century Church of St. John, where three pillars still stand. Then proceed to Laodicea, another of the Seven Churches, to explore its archaeological remains before continuing to Pamukkale. Overnight at your hotel in Pamukkale.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, visit Hierapolis and the Martyrium of St. Philip, associated with the tradition of his martyrdom. Continue to Ephesus, a major Roman city and capital of the province of Asia. Explore the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, Roman baths and agoras. The theatre is associated with the events described in Acts 19 amid the dispute over the worship of Artemis.

After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Bülbül, traditionally believed to have been her final home. Then visit the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, built during the reign of Justinian over a tomb traditionally associated with the apostle. Drive to Smyrna (modern Izmir) for your overnight stay.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, depart for Assos. En route, stop in Thyatira (modern Akhisar) to see the remains of a Christian church and sections of the Roman road. Continue to Pergamon to visit the Red Basilica (Red Courtyard), which was later converted into a church dedicated to St. John, and explore the Acropolis and its Hellenistic and Roman remains.

After lunch, drive to Assos, associated with the account in Acts 20 of Paul travelling overland from Troas to meet his companions there. Overnight at your hotel in Assos.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, drive to Troy, the ancient city associated with the Trojan War. Its history stretches back to around 3000 BCE, and the archaeological site contains nine settlement layers. See the replica of the Trojan Horse, then take a ferry across the Dardanelles Strait and continue by road to Istanbul. Stop for lunch en route. Check in to your hotel on arrival. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight.