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Seven Churches of the Revelation tour
Day 1: ARRIVE Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul and transfer to your
hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
(D)
Day 2: Istanbul
After breakfast, a full day visit of the
city, including the Hagia Sophia church,
glory of the Byzantine Empire; the Blue
Mosque famous for its interior tiles from
Nicea (Iznik); Byzantine Hippodrome where
once horse and chariot races took place; the
Church of St. Savior in Chora, representing
best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art
with scenes from the life of Blessed Virgin;
Topkapi Palace with its magnificent
exhibitions of the treasury, silverware,
costumes etc. Lunch during visits and dinner
in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 3: Istanbul / Bursa
After breakfast depart for Nicea (Iznik)
taking the Intercontinental Suspension
Bridge over the Bosphorus and a short ferry
ride in the Sea of Marmara. Home of two
Ecumenical Councils, Nicea has several
Byzantine and Ottoman relics in the heart of
ancient Bytinia. Here you'll see Hagia
Sophia church and the City Walls. Lunch in
the restaurant and proceed to Bursa, first
capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the
Grand Mosque, Green Mosque and Mausoleum.
Dinner and stay in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 4: Bursa / Pamukkale
Breakfast in the hotel and drive to Sardis,
ancient capital of Lydia and one of the
Seven Churches. There is a beautiful
archaeological site where you'll see
restored Roman Baths, Synagogue and shops.
After lunch proceed to Alasehir and visit
another Church of the Apocalypse,
Philadelphia, where you'll see the Church of
St John with some frescoes. Then continue to
Pamukkale visiting Laodicea and its barely
excavated site. Dinner in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 5: Pamukkale / Izmir
After breakfast visit Hierapolis where St.
Philip was martyred and proceed to Ephesus,
ancient Roman capital of Asia Minor. Here
you'll see the Library of Celsus, largest
theater in Anatolia where St. Paul faced the
Ephesians supporting their goddess Artemis,
Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, Agoras etc.
After Lunch visit the House of Virgin Mary
on Panaghia Kapulu Mountain where it is
believed that she spent last years of her
life. Then visit the Basilica of St. John
where he was buried after returning from
exile in Patmos and Justinian built a
cathedral over his tomb in the sixth
century. Drive to Smyrna, modern day Izmir,
for dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Day 6: Izmir / Assos
Breakfast in the hotel and depart for Assos.
Along the way visit Tyatira (Akhisar) where
you'll see foundations of a Christian church
and Roman road. Then proceed to Pergamon to
visit the church of St. John at the Red
Court, then the Acropolis for its
Hellenistic and Roman relics. After lunch
drive to Assos where St. Paul visited after
Alexandria Troas on his third journey.
Dinner and stay in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 7: Assos / Istanbul
After breakfast depart for Troy, place of
the famous Trojan War, the city is dating
back to 3,000 BC with 9 different layers of
settlers. You can also see a replica of the
Trojan Horse here. Take a ferry across
Dardanelles strait and then a pleasant drive
to Istanbul. Lunch en route. Dinner and Stay
in the hotel. (B-L-D)
Day 8: DEPART Istanbul
Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul airport
for your flight. End of Services. (B)
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