Tours

Organize a Tour
Join a Tour
Join a Tour
About FBE
FAQ
Contact
Login
MENU

TURKEY

Where East Meets West!

Turkey is one of the oldest continually inhabited regions of the world. It is home to some of the most significant events of the Bible as well as where the first Christian community began.  Travel to Turkey and uncover layers of ancient civilizations.

Regional Highlights
Sample Itinerary
Testimonials
Play Video

Regional Highlights

Istanbul
Istanbul

Istanbul

Formerly know as Byzantium, Constantinople and New Rome, Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey and the economic, cultural, and historic center of the country.  This large city straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait.  Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here.

SITES: Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn

Izmir

On Turkey’s Aegean coast, Izmir, known as Smyrna in antiquity, was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire.This large city is a remarkable destination that embraces Turkey’s archeological history, vibrant culture and cuisine, and natural beauty which  blends the ancient and modern influences of the east and west.

SITES: Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis, Ancient Agora, Seferihisar, Cesme

Izmir
Izmir
Pamukkale-Hierapolis
Pamukkale-Hierapolis

Pamukkale-Hierapolis

Hierapolis, whose name means “sacred city,” was believed by the ancients to have been founded by the god Apollo. It was famed for its sacred hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, god of the underworld.  Today, these calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins.   Hieropolis played an important role in the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor.  It is also where the Apostle Phillip died. Today, Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SITES: Limestone Terraces of Pammukale, the Antique Pool at Hierapolis, Laodicea, Denizli

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Seven Churches of Revelation

Every tour is custom-tailored for each group, but here is an example of the kind of tour we provide.

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08
Day 09
Day 10

DEPART USA FOR IZMIR, TURKEY

Depart USA for Izmir, Turkey.

IZMIR

Upon arrival into Izmir, (ancient Smyrna) our tour representative will meet the group and transfer us to the hotel.  Ancient Smyrna is one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11).  We will have the opportunity to visit the ruins of the ancient Roman agora.  Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

IZMIR, PERGAMUM, & THYATIRA

Today’s touring begins in ancient Pergamum (Bergsma) – center of rule for the Roman Empire.  The church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17).  Sights include the Aesclepion, an ancient healing center, the acropolis with its pagan temples, Alter of Zeus (some call the throne of Satan) and the Temple of Trajan.  After lunch, we will continue on to Thyatira, the smallest yet most favored of the Seven Churches of which John writes. In antiquity, it was a busy trading center that was famous as a “seller of purple.”  Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

PHILADELPHIA & SARDIS

Our morning touring takes us to Philadelphia (Alasehir) the church that “kept the Faith” (Rev. 3:7-13) and Sardis, the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, and the first city to use coins of gold and silver. John berated Sardis for “appearing alive but are dead” (Rev. 3:1-6).   Our visit in Sardis will take us to the amazing ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the picturesque gymnasium, and the synagogue with original intact mosaic tile artwork. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

HIERAPOLIS, PUMAKKALE, & LAODICEA

Today we take a drive to Hierapolis, meaning “sacred city.” This was an ancient center for pagen cults until the first century when it was transformed into a Christian center. The Apostle Phillip lived and was martyred here. We will visit the vast, ancient necropolis (burial grounds) large amphitheater, St. Philip’s Church, and the famed Roman baths. The calcite laden hot springs of Pamukkale that have formed white travertine falls are a beautiful secret of nature that we will enjoy today. After lunch, we will continue traveling to ancient Laodicea, a city known for its riches, development of medicines and where the church was known for being “lukewarm in belief”. (Rev. 3:14-22). The hot springs of Pamukkale combined with the cold mountain springs of nearby Colossae possibly explain this lukewarm application. Laodicea is a large excavated site where we will see a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. We return to Pumakkale for dinner and overnight.

Ephesus

Today we travel to the magnificent excavated site of ancient Ephesus.  Once a thriving port town, Ephesus was considered the most important Greek city and most important trading center in the Mediterranean and played a vital role in the spread of Christianity.   We will walk the marble road, see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the famed Celsus Library, the Agora (marketplace) the city bath ruins and the Terrace Houses with colorful mosaics intact. After our full day of sightseeing, we return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

IZMIR & ISTANBUL

We take a short morning flight to Istanbul and begin our tour of this magnificent city. We will visit the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, a medieval Byzantine church preserved as the Chora Museum.   It is decorated with some of the oldest and finest surviving Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.   Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

ISTANBUL

Today we begin with a visit to the famed Blue Mosque-whose 6 minarets dominate the skyline.  We take a short walk to visit Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) that for over 1000 years, has been the greatest church in Christendom and an architectural wonder built by the Byzantine Empire to impress the world. We end our day with a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans and a miniature self-contained city.  Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

ISTANBUL

Special touring today includes a cruise on the Bosphorus – the narrow strait linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separating Europe and Asia. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling strait as we view the palaces, small villages, and the Golden Horn.  We will wander Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul, walking the pedestrian street, enjoying the shops, restaurants, and vendors and enjoy shopping or browsing in the unique Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

USA

We check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to our return flight back to the USA.

Testimonials

You don’t have to take our word for it.

FBE Icon Gold Green Oval

ENTER YOUR TOUR CODE

Submit and Go to Tour Page
DON'T HAVE A CODE?
Contact Faith Based Expeditions
YOUR CHURCH ISN'T TAKING A TOUR?
RECOMMEND FBE TO YOUR CHURCH
Tours
Organize a Tour
Join a Tour
Join a Tour
About
FAQ
Contact
Login

Brand, Design, + Development