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SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION

DAY 1 - ARRIVE ISTANBUL

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL

DAY 3 - ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE

Depart in the early morning from Istanbul and begin to explore the European side of the country, driving along the coastline of the Sea of Marmara. Visit  the touching memorials of the Gallipoli Campaign, where Allied  Forces and Turks suffered heavy casualties at the beginning of the First World War. Cross the famous Dardanelles Strait by ferry to Canakkale for an overnight stay.

DAY 4 - CANAKKALE - IZMIR

Start the day  with a visit  to the glorious lands of Priam, the city  of love and wars - Troy.  The  next stop is the Acropolis of Pergamon where we explore the Temple of Trajan, the steepest theatre of the ancient world and the Altar of Zeus, which was referred to as “Satan’s Seat” by St.  John. The  last visit  is to the Red  Basilica before driving to Izmir for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 5 - IZMIR - KUSADASI

After  a morning orientation in ancient  Smyrna (Izmir), continue  to Ephesus, a cradle of early Christianity where St.  Paul preached for three years. Apart from the comprehensive ruins including an odeon, a massive theatre, a library and temples, visit  the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica and the Tomb of St.  John. Have  dinner and stay overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 6 - KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE

DAY 7 - PAMUKKALE - BURSA

DAY 8 - BURSA - ISTANBUL

DAY 9

Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.

Upon arrival you will be  greeted and accompanied to your hotel. In the evening you  will attend a welcome cocktail and briefing of the tour led  by your tour director. Dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy a full  day  of sightseeing in old  Constantinople, including the Sultan Ahmet's Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, where the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column are erected, the great church of Haghia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the majestic residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the Grand Covered Bazaar.

Continue to the ancient site of Laodicea, the city  of rich people. Here Christianity spread rapidly by the presence of a large Jewish community. Then visit  the ruins of Hierapolis and its hot thermal springs with its healing qualities.

In the morning discover Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia. See  the Royal Road, the gymnasium and one  of the oldest synagogues in the world. On  the way,  visit  Philadelphia, the city  of brotherly love,  and Thyatira, an old commercial centre. Continue to Bursa to have dinner and stay overnight.

Visit  the Great Mosque of Sultan Beyazıt the Thunderbolt as well as the Silk Market in the City  and then set out for ancient Nicaea (Iznik)  to see  the church of ST. Sofhia where the 1st and the 7th Ecumenical Councils were held. Drive  back to Istanbul for a farewell dinner and overnight stay.