Pilgrimage & Faith
The Seven Churches of Revelation
Follow the Seven Churches of Asia from the Book of Revelation, starting in Izmir (ancient Smyrna), with Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, then finish in Istanbul.
11 days / 10 nights Turkey
RouteIzmir – Sardis – Thyatira – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Pamukkale – Ephesus – Pergamum – Troy – Istanbul
- The Seven Churches of Revelation
- Ephesus
- The House of the Virgin Mary
- Pamukkale
- Istanbul
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Izmir
- Arrive in Istanbul and fly to Izmir (ancient Smyrna)
- Meet and greet with your name sign
- Private transfer to the hotel
- Dinner and overnight in Izmir
Day 2: Sardis – Thyatira – Philadelphia – Pamukkale
- Sardis (Rev. 3:1–4): the Temple of Artemis, the restored gymnasium and synagogue, and the Persian Royal Road
- Thyatira, now Akhisar (Rev. 2:18–24), home of Lydia, the seller of purple (Acts 16:14)
- Philadelphia, now Alaşehir (Rev. 3:7–13), one of only two churches (with Smyrna) that receive no rebuke
- Dinner and overnight in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale
Day 3: Laodicea – Hierapolis – Pamukkale
- Laodicea, the last of the Seven Churches
- Hierapolis and the white 'cotton castle' terraces of Pamukkale
- Dinner and overnight in a thermal hotel
Day 4: Ephesus – Kusadasi
- Ancient Ephesus: the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theater
- The Basilica of St. John
- The House of the Virgin Mary
- Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 5: Didyma & Miletus
- Tour of Didyma and Miletus
- Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 6: Kusadasi
- Free day for shopping in Kusadasi
Day 7: Pergamum – Troas – Canakkale
- Pergamum (Rev. 2:12): the Acropolis, one of the steepest theaters of the ancient world, the Asklepion and the foundations of the Altar of Zeus
- The Temple of Trajan and the ancient library
- Alexandria Troas
- Overnight in Canakkale
Day 8: Troy – Istanbul
- Visit Troy
- Drive to Istanbul with lunch on the way
- Overnight in Istanbul
Day 9: Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome
- The Grand Bazaar (the Spice Bazaar on Sundays)
Day 10: Istanbul
- Free day for shopping
Day 11: Departure
- Check-out and transfer to Istanbul Airport
What’s included
- Accommodation at the hotels listed
- Bed and breakfast in Istanbul, half board at the other hotels, and 3 lunches in Istanbul
- Private airport transfers in new-model vehicles
- Entrance fees to museums
- English-speaking guide experienced in biblical tours
- Daily excursions on a private basis
- Daily bottled water
- Tips at restaurants and hotels
- All parking fees and highway tolls
Not included
- Domestic flight tickets
- Personal expenses such as the hotel minibar
- Drinks at meals
- Tips for the local guide and driver
Hotels
- Izmir: Kordon Cankaya Hotel
- Pamukkale: Adem Pira Hotel 5*
- Kusadasi: Suhan Seaport Hotel
- Canakkale: Parion Hotel
- Istanbul: Gonen Hotel Taksim 4*
Hotels may be replaced with others of a similar standard.
Inquire about this tour
Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll get back to you with a quote.
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