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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.