Details of Seven Churches 5 Days Trip

DAY 1 Izmir Airport Transfer
You will arrive to Izmir / Turkey and you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 2 Izmir - Pergamon - Thyateira
You will be met with your private guide at the Izmir airport or lobby of your hotel in Izmir, or airport of Izmir / Kusadasi and start your 7 churches trip package. Today, you will visit the Pergamum. It is a 1.30 hour drive from Izmir to Pergamon. Pergamon is one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. The city was a great center of culture and the capital of East Roman Empire.On the Acropolis there are numerous remains including the celebrated Library, the steepest theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the place of the monumental Altar of Zeus famous with the relief of God and devils, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora.After a delicious lunch with Turkish specialties you will proceed to the Medical Center of the ancient world, Asclepion where the first psychological treatment had been used and which was dedicated to the God of Health, Asclepios.Next visit visit will be visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church). Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyateira. Afterwards you will drive and check in to your hotel in Izmir.

DAY 3 Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea Tour
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel and drive to Sardis, ancient capital city of the Lydians and the visit Church of Sardis. Continue to Alasehir where the ancient Philadelphia Church is located. Walk the streets of Philadelphia. Your last visit will be to the Laodicea. Situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and having produced a black wool that was highly sought after, under Roman dominion,Laodicea was one of the most successful commercial cities of its time in Asia Minor and was also well known for its medical school. We know from the late 1st century writings of Josephus that there was likely a large Jewish population in the city and, from his letter to the people of nearby Colossae, that Paul was concerned also with the people in Laodicea as well as their neighbors in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13,15,16). The city’s remaining ruins leave no doubt as to the prosperity of the local population and in Revelation the angel of the church at Laodicea is described as boastful about the accumulation of wealth, full of pride, self-satisfied, deluded and, furthermore, ignorant of its spiritual indigence (Revelation 3:17). Jesus advises the Laodiceans to wholeheartedly repent, to change their self-perception, to strive for purity and to revive and deepen their faith (3:18,19). He offers them His grace and salvation should they attain spiritual triumph (3:20,21). In reference to the choice of wording used to describe the lack of obedience to God amongst the Laodiceans, lukewarm, neither cold nor hot (3:16) it is interesting to note that water was supplied to the city from a hot spring about 4 miles away through an aqueduct that you will see ruins of today along with others including walls and temples, the stadium, gymnasium and theaters.Afterwards you drive & check in to your hotel in Pamukkale.

DAY 4 Pamukkale, Hierapolis & Aphrodisias Tour
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel and drive to Pamukkale.On the half way, have break for the needs.You will arrive at North Gate of Pamukkale (Hierapolis). You will see the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1.200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, and the Main Street, Byzantium Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). After the open buffed lunch Swimming in hot red thermal pools in the hotel. Then If you like to swim in the Ancient Pool (excluded entrance fee for swimming in pool) which is also called Cleopatra s Pool they charge extra entrance fee. The Cleopatra Pool is warmed by hot springs and littered with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns. Possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo, the pool provides today's visitors a rare opportunity to swim with antiquities! During the Roman period, columned porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes toppled them into the water where they lie today.Join the lunch and rest for a while then drive to Aphrodisias Ancient site. Visit all historical place with accompany of professional guide. Aphrodisias is one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey. Dedicated to the ancient Mother Goddess and then the Greek goddess Aphrodite, it was the site of a magnificent Temple of Aphrodite and the home of a renewed school of marble sculpture. The Temple of Aphrodite later became a Christian basilica through an impressive swapping of columns. Today, the Temple of Aphrodite is well-preserved and partially restored; it is not hard to imagine its ancient splendour. Aphrodisias also offers ruins of a large theatre, a stadium and other structures, as well as an on-site museum displaying artifacts. Next see,The museum of Aphrodisias is one of the most outstanding museums of western Anatolia. The monuments of unsurpassed value which have been found at the excavations are displayed here.Afterwards you drive & check in toyour hotel in Kusadasi.

DAY 5 Kusadasi - Ephesus - Izmir
After breakfast, you leave for your private Ephesus tour.Visit the premiere Greco-Roman City of the ancient world, Ephesus. Explore the Temple of Hadrian, Domitians temple, Hercules gate, famous Celsus Library, Great theater and other Roman sites. You will also visitHouse of the Virgin Mary where it is believed to have spent her last years. On November 29th, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred.Give a break to taste delicious, healty and traditional Turkish foods. Your last visit will be tothe Basilica of St. John (St. Jean Aniti),which was a great church in Ephesusconstructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation). Afterwards you drive to to Izmir Airport.

Notes

Includes of Seven Churches 5 Days Trip

Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
Inbound Airport Transfer – Izmir Airport (ADB) to Hotel
Outbound Airport Transfer – Ephesus to Izmir Airport (ADB)
4 Lunches at the day tours,
4 Breakfast at the hotels
4 Nights accommodation in 4 stars hotels
2 Nights in Izmir - Bed & Breakfast
1 Night in Pamukkale - Bed & Breakfast
1 Night in Kusadasi - Bed & Breakfast

Excludies of Seven Churches 5 Days Trip

Tips for guide & driver
Drinks in those day tours where lunch is included

Pick-up and Drop-off Details of Seven Churches 5 Days Trip

İzmir