Day 1: Depart from USA
Overnight flight to Istanbul.
Day 2: Arrive at Istanbul Airport
Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon Boat Tour along the Bosphorus visiting both Asian and European shores of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Istanbul
Full day Istanbul tour; the Roman Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles, St. Sophia Church, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage site, Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Residential Palace of the Ottoman sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries and the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world. Its displays include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain and costumes of the sultans. Then visit the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. Dinner and overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul-Troy-Alexander Troas - Assos
Drive to Çanakkale. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by car ferry. Proceed to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Wooden Horse. Then drive to Alexandria Troas founded by Alexander the Great, where Paul visited at least twice. Then drive to Assos, this Hellenistic city where Paul rejoined his companions. Dinner and overnight stay in Assos.
Day 5: Pergamon –Thyatira – Smyrna – Izmir
Leave for Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis with the steepest theater of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. Then visit the Red Basilica which was an Egyptian Temple, later converted to a church in the 1st century. It is also considered one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Continue to Izmir for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Sardis – Philadelphia - Pamukkale
Drive to Sardis, capital of ancient Lydia where first coin of the world was invented. See the ruins of the 1st century. Continue to Alasehir to see the 1st century Philadelphia Church which is another one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Laodicea – Aphrodisias - Kusadasi
Morning tour of Pamukkale, noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine’s forms frozen waterfalls. Drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love; see the well preserved stadium, the Odeon, the theater and the agora. Continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Ephesus - Kusadasi
Visit the famous ancient city of Ephesus, the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John. A visit of the House of Virgin Mary is optional. Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Day 9: Departure Back
Early transfer to the Izmir Airport for departure.
