DAY 1.
Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul
airport , you will be
met and transferred to
your hotel. Overnight.
DAY 2.
Istanbul
Following breakfast, we
drive to the 'Old City'
where we will visit the
Hippodrome, The Museum
of Turkish and Islamic
Arts, the Blue Mosque,
famous for its delicate
blue ceramic tiles and
Saint Sophia. This
church - turned mosque -
turned museum takes the
breath away with the
sheer architectural size
of its interior and
magnificent dome and
next we will visit the
spectacular Topkapi
Palace. Built on one of
the seven hills of
Istanbul, this huge
complex commands views
of the Sea of Marmara,
the Bosphorus and the
Golden Horn. It was the
seat of government for
the Ottoman Empire for
many centuries
(1453-1852) and we will
see the extravagant
Treasury, the priceless
Chinese porcelain.
Following our return to
the hotel for a quick
rest and a change, we
will proceed to welcome
the evening with dinner.
( Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
)
DAY 3.
Izmir (Pergamon /
Thyateria)
We will take an early
flight to Izmir and from
the airport drive north
to the hauntingly
beautiful Pergamon.
Among the impressive
structures of this city,
dating from 399 B.C., we
will see the Altar of
Zeus, Temple of Dionysus
and the 200,000 volume
library which was
surpassed only by that
found in Alexandria at
the time. The Asclepieum
of Pergamon was a famous
health centre where
methods of treatment
included blood
transfusions, music
therapy and meditation.
On our way back to Izmir,
we will stop by Thyteria
to see the remains of
the church. This was one
of the principle towns
where Christianity
spread quickly. We
journey back to Izmir
for the night.
( Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
)
DAY 4.
Izmir (Sardis-Philadelphia)
We leave in the morning
for Sardis which holds a
prominent place in
mythology. Sardis felt
the influence of the
Seven Churches of
Revelation and
highlights include the
3rd century A.D.
Synagogue, Gymnasium,
House of Bronzes, Temple
of Artemis, and of
course the Church. Next
on our itinerary is
Philadelphia which was
an important Christian
centre during Byzantine
times. We will see the
Basilica and several
interesting mosques.
DAY 5.
Pamukkale (Laodicea-Aphrodisias)
Kusadasi
We journey on to
Laodicea Ad Lycum where
the remains are found on
a flat-topped hill.
Christianity came to the
area during the time of
St. Paul, brought by
Epaphras of Colossae.
Laodicea became the seat
of Bishopric and hosted
an important Ecumenical
Council in the fourth
century A.D., it was
named in the Revelations
as one of the Seven
Churches of the
Apocalypse. Highlights
will be the Water Tower,
Stadium and the Council
Chamber. Our next stop
will be Aphrodisias, a
site presently under
excavation. Highlights
will include the Stadium,
the Baths of Hadrian,
the Theatre and the "Bishop's
Palace" Overnight at
Kusadasi.
( Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
)
DAY
6.
Kusadasi (Ephesus) /
Izmir
Leaving Kusadasi behind
us we will proceed to
Seljuk and the ancient
city of Ephesus and
first visit the Basilica
of St.John, "the
Evangelist" who came
here with the Virgin
Mary and wrote his
Gospel. Close by is the
House of the Virgin Mary
where she is believed to
have spent her last
years. On August 18th,
1961, Pope John XXll
proclaimed the House of
Virgin Mary at Ephesus
to be sacred. You will
have a chance to take a
phial of Holy
Water from the Sacred
Spring. Dinner and
overnight in Izmir.
( Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
)
DAY
7.
Istanbul
We leave Izmir in the
morning after a city
tour and a glimpse at
one of the Churches of
Revelation. Catching our
plane to Istanbul we
settle into the hotel
for the night.
( Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
)
DAY
8.
Istanbul Departure
Free
until transfer time.
Transfer to Istanbul
Ataturk Airport ( B
)
For specifically
interested parties,
the program may
include one day
visit to PATMOS,
where St. John wrote
the book of
Revelation.
>Price
Includes:
Air-conditioned coach, English speaking guide,
museum entrance fees,
breakfast, lunch and dinners, parking. All prices are per
person
>Price
Does Not Include:
Personel expenditure
(plane, laundry etc.),
tips to the guide &
driver, drinks,
all extras.
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