3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS

1st Day: HOME / IZMIR Arrival in Izmir and transfer to the hotel and later take a tour of Izmir including a visit to St. Polycarp's Church, the oldest church building in Izmir. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Izmir.

2nd Day: IZMIR / PERGAMUM Visits to Smyrna, Pergamum (Acropolis and the Aslcepion-ancient medical center), Thaytira and return to hotel in Izmir, dinner and overnight.

3rd Day: SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA / HIERAPOLIS Visits to Sardis, Philadelphia, Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

4th Day: LAODICEA / EPHESUS / IZMIR Visits to Laodicea, Ephesus, Ephesus Museum, St. John’s Basilica, Mary’s House. Transfer to Izmir Airport. Assistance with boarding and customs formalities. Good-bye.

7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

1st day: HOME / ISTANBUL Arrival at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. Reception and assistance with airport formalities, transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

2nd day: ISTANBUL In the morning visit of the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia Museum and the Underground Cistern. Lunch. In the afternoon visit of the Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar, followed by an excursion on the Bosphorus by boat. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

3rd day : ISTANBUL / NICEA (İZNİK) / BURSA In the morning visit of the Chora Church. Lunch, departure for Bursa. Crossing the sea of Marmara by ferryboat and visiting İznik (Niceae) , on the way the most important city of Bithynia at the time of Paul’s visits and where the two church
Meetings -the 1st and the 7th Ecumenical Councils - were held; visit of the St. Sophia Church, the place of the latter meeting; and the St.Trifon Church. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

4th day: BURSA / PERGAMUM (BERGAMA) In the morning tour of Bursa , the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, including visit to the Green Mosque, the Green Mausoleum, the Grand Mosque famous for the multitude of its domes. Departure for Bergama to explore the ancient city of Pergamum nearby. Lunch on the way. Upon arrival at Pergamum visit of the Asclepium Sanctuary and the Acropolis; the Altar of Zeus which was said to be “the Palace where Satan has his thorne.” (revelation2:13) ; the Trajan Temple the world’s steepest theathre, and the Red Basilica which was orginally a center of pagan worship and later used as a Church dedicated to St. John. Dinner and overnight in Bergama.

5th day: PERGAMUM / THYATİRA / SARDİS / PHİLADELPHİA / PAMUKKALE Early in the morning departure for Thyatira where Libertinism used to be a constant threat to the Christian Church; the remenants of the Church and the temple are to be visited. Resumption of the drive to Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of the Seven Churches, and visit of the Artemis Temple; the Byzantine Church ; the Acropolis; the Synagogue; and the Gymnasium. Lunch on the way to Philadelphia. Visit of the Byzantine Basilica in Philadelphia where the church was not strong but the members were loyal. Contunation of trip to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight .

6th day: PAMUKKALE / HİEROPOLİS / LAODİCEA / İZMİR In the morning visit of Hieropolis, rich in Roman and early Christian remains where Apostle Philip was martyred which is mentioned in the New Testament as the hometown of Epaphras (Colosians 4:13). St John was probably referring to springs of Hieropolis when in his letter to the people of Laodicea, just across the valley , he wrote: I know all your ways ; you are neither hot nor cold. How I wish you were either hot or cold! But because you are luke warm, neither hot nor cold I spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3.15-17). Lunch. Visit of Laodicea. Brief coach ride to İzmir for dinner and overnight .

7th day: İZMİR / EPHESUS / İZMİR In the morning visit of the ancient Agora and the church named after St. Polycarp who was a loyal member and was martyred for his loyalty. An excursion to Ephesus, distinguished antic city in Chrisitan history, and to where St. John came with Virgin Mary towards the end of his life to write his Gospel. Lunch in Selçuk. Visit of Basilica of St. John and the Shrine of Virgin Mary where a mass will be held. Return to İzmir for dinner and overnight .

8th day : İZMİR / HOME OR İZMİR / ISTANBUL / HOME Transfer to İzmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport . Assistance with boarding and customs formalities. Take-off for home (Flying home via İstanbul).