Turkey is one of the oldest continually inhabited regions of the world. It is home to some of the most significant events of the Bible as well as where the first Christian community began. Travel to Turkey and uncover layers of ancient civilizations.
Formerly know as Byzantium, Constantinople and New Rome, Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey and the economic, cultural, and historic center of the country. This large city straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here.
SITES: Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn
On Turkey’s Aegean coast, Izmir, known as Smyrna in antiquity, was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire.This large city is a remarkable destination that embraces Turkey’s archeological history, vibrant culture and cuisine, and natural beauty which blends the ancient and modern influences of the east and west.
SITES: Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis, Ancient Agora, Seferihisar, Cesme
Hierapolis, whose name means “sacred city,” was believed by the ancients to have been founded by the god Apollo. It was famed for its sacred hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, god of the underworld. Today, these calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins. Hieropolis played an important role in the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor. It is also where the Apostle Phillip died. Today, Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SITES: Limestone Terraces of Pammukale, the Antique Pool at Hierapolis, Laodicea, Denizli
Every tour is custom-tailored for each group, but here is an example of the kind of tour we provide.
Depart USA for Izmir, Turkey.
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.
We check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to our return flight back to the USA.