5 Day 7 Churches of Revelation Tour
Embark on a Biblical journey with our “5- Day7 Churches of Revelation tour” in Turkey. Explore the ancient sites and deepen your faith.
Early morning flight to Izmir. Upon your arrival, meet with your vehicle & guide at the airport.
Our first visit will be Smyrna, “the suffering church” and the home of great 2nd century Bishop Policarp who was burned alive at the age of 85. (“Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days”)
After Smyrna, we will drive to Akhisar to see Thyatira, “the adulterous church” that, as mentioned in the Revelations, tolerated the false prophets, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29).
Afterwards, we will drive to Bergama and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit Pergamon (the compromising church). Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “where Satan’s seat is”, a reference to the altar of Zeus. In Pergamon, we will visit the Acropolis of Pergamon and Asklepion (the famous medical center of antiquity). At the end of the day, we’ll drive back to Izmir and check in to our hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Izmir (Dinner & Breakfast at the hotel)
After breakfast, we will drive to Salihli to visit Sardis “the dead church”, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3: 1-6). This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century B.C., portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which was converted into a Byzantine Church. We will also see the restored Sardis Gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. After our visit, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant enroute. Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia “the faithful church”, nowadays called Alasehir, one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church that wasn’t censored. There, we will see the remains of a Byzantine Basilica built of brick, with a high arch and 11th-century frescoes.
This afternoon, optional ‘Whirling Dervish Ceremony’. The Mevlevis are also known as the “whirling dervishes” due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). Dervish is a common term for an initiate of the Sufi path; whirling is part of the formal sema ceremony, and the participants are properly known as semazens.
After our tour, we will drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale. (Dinner & Breakfast at the hotel)
Optional ‘Hot Air Balloon flight’ early morning (by the time of sunrise)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start our tour Hierapolis ‘Martyrium of the Apostle Philip’ in Pamukkale. Where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We will also have a relaxing walk in the thermal waters of white travertines.
We will have a lunch break at a local restaurant and depart for Laodicea. The church chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. Here, we’ll see the ancient theatre, the remains of the basilica, and ancient stone water pipes.
Our next stop is the ancient city of Aphrodisias, one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods. The town's name is derived from the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite – called Venus by Romans, who has her famous sanctuary here.
Afterwards, we will drive to Selcuk or Kuşadası (approx. 2hrs).
Dinner and overnight in Selcuk or Kuşadası. (Dinner & Breakfast at the hotel)
After our breakfast at the hotel, we will visit House of The Virgin Mary; where she is said to have spent her final years. Then our next stop will be Ephesus (“the loveless church”, the most important of the seven churches). It is also believed that the Gospel of John was written here. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and before we turn back to our hotel, we will visit a Turkis Carpet Atelier. Here, admire the exquisite handmade Anatolian carpets, distinguished by their colors, patterns, and techniques. As part of our enriching Turkey tour, we invite you to experience the timeless art of Turkish carpet weaving. During this stop, you will visit a renowned carpet store where you will: Witness Skilled Artisans, Learn About the History, Explore Diverse Styles, Shop Unique Souvenirs. This visit is more than just a shopping stop; it’s an immersive cultural experience that highlights the craftsmanship and artistry of Turkey’s renowned carpet-making tradition.
Dinner and overnight in Selcuk or Kuşadası. (Dinner & Breakfast at the hotel)
After our breakfast at the hotel, visit the Basilica of St. John also known as Church of St. John the Theologian. Our second stop will be the Temple of Artemis, known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Unfortunately, the temple does not exist today. Only the place of the temple and some pieces of the pillars from the temple left. Then, witness the artistry and craftsmanship of Turkish leather goods at a captivating leather show in Selcuk, where skilled artisans showcase their talent in creating high-quality leather products, jackets, bags… Offering a unique cultural experience for fashion enthusiasts and souvenir hunters alike.
After we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, we will drive to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport for your afternoon flight back to Istanbul.
