Day 1: Arrive Istanbul
Pick up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul Classic City Tour / Istanbul-Izmir (Breakfast)
Pick-up from your hotel. You will visit the main attractions of Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire until 1923, on this full-day tour. Highlights include Hagia Sophia, a magnificent Byzantine church and a unique example of Byzantine architecture; the Blue Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Istanbul from the 17th century, famous for its blue tiles and six minarets; the Ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races were once held, featuring the impressive granite obelisk carved in Egypt around 1,500 BC and brought to Constantinople in 390 AD. The tour will continue with a visit to Topkapi Palace, once the residence of Ottoman sultans and their harem. We will finish the tour with a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and Feast days), the oldest and largest marketplace in the world with a unique collection of handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, and souvenirs. Today you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight time for your flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 3: Pergamon / Thyatira (Breakfast)
We will depart early in the morning for Pergamon and visit the Acropolis, home to the famous physician Galen. You will see the remains of the great library that once housed over 200,000 scrolls and the restored theatre built into the hillside that seated 10,000. Then we will visit the Asclepion, which was among the earliest and greatest medical centers in the world. The view of the Acropolis from the Asclepion site is truly worth seeing. Continue to Akhisar to visit the site of ancient Thyatira. Thyatira became an early center of Christianity. The apostle Paul visited the city on many occasions during his missionary travels. Lydia, the woman converted by St. Paul at Philippi, was from Thyatira (Acts 16:13-15), and the church at Thyatira was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 4: Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour (Breakfast)
Visit the Church of St. Polycarp (from outside), which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna. It symbolizes the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Drive to Ephesus to visit the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. Then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus, where you will explore some of the best-preserved theaters, fountains, and buildings in the world. After lunch, you will visit the Basilica of St. John and Ephesus Museum. End of the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: Sardis / Philadelphia (Breakfast)
Today you can visit Sardis, once the capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus, where the first coins were minted. Then visit the ancient Philadelphia, listed among the seven churches by John in the Book of Revelation. Philadelphia is the sixth church of seven. After the visit, we will head to Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6: Hierapolis/Pamukkale/Laodicea/Antalya (Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will visit Hierapolis, including the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis, one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1,200 graves, the Roman Bath, the Domitian Gate, the Main Street, and the Byzantine Gate. Then, walk to the natural warm water terraces formed by running warm water that contains calcium. After visiting Pamukkale, we will drive to Laodicea. Explore the recently excavated theater of Laodicea. The Laodicean church was established in the earliest period of Christianity and is probably best known for being one of the seven churches addressed by name in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 3.14-22). Drive to Antalya and stay overnight.
Day 7: St. Nicholas Church (Breakfast)
Depart early in the morning for Demre (Myra), one of the six great cities of the Lycian civilization first settled in the 5th century B.C. The rock tombs, theater, and Church of St. Nicholas commemorate the life and work of this fourth-century bishop. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8: Full Day Antalya Tour (Breakfast)
Full-day excursion to ancient Pamphylian, the largest city on the turquoise coast. Visit the Hellenistic and Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. Perge, an important trade route famous for the fact that when St. Paul started his journeys, he visited Perge in 46 A.D. and preached his first sermon there. Aspendos is famous for its best-preserved theater of antiquity, built in the 2nd century AD with a capacity of 20,000 people, and is still used today for performances. Visit the remains of a basilica, agora, and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia. Enjoy the acropolis of the city with a wonderful view of the river. Visit the award-winning Antalya Archaeological Museum and finally Antalya Old Town. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Day 9: Departure (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of our services.
No extra hidden cost..!
What’s Included
8 nights accommodation according to your selection as 3, 4 or 5 star.
All mentioned group transfers in the program.
All mentioned group tours in the program include transportation with air-conditioned buses, guidance, and entrance fees.
English-speaking guide during the tours.
(You can ask for other language options for groups).
Breakfasts in the hotels.
All local taxes.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
Domestic flight tickets are in the itinerary.
International flight tickets.
Meals such as Lunches and Dinners.
Visa (if needed).
Travel insurance.