Seven Churches of Asia Tour and THE EPHESUS EVENT - Oct 17-24, 2024
This itinerary is subject to change depending on the advice of our guide as to the safety or practicality of any locations. Tour companies classify this a "8-day tour" although there are only 6 full nights spent in Turkey. The 2 flight days are included in the 8 days.
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Day 1 Departure
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Thurs, Oct 17. Depart from your home for the overnight flight to Izmir, Turkey. (Remember you lose a day during travel because it is an overnight flight. You will depart North America on Thursday, Oct 17 and arrive in Izmir on Fri., Oct 18. Some are departing North America on Oct 16 and arriving Izmir Oct 17.)
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Day 2
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Fri, Oct 18 Arrive Izmir
Arrive at Izmir, Turkey, and transfer to your 5 Star Hotel. Izmir is on the Aegean Sea. Complimentary transfer to hotel from airport. If you arrive earlier than 2 pm on Fri., Oct 18 you can store your luggage at the hotel until check in at 2 pm. Overnight in Izmir - Hyatt Regency Dinner on your own. You can choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby. |
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Day 3
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Sat. Oct 19 Izmir – Smyrna – Pergamos – Izmir
Enjoy an outstanding buffet breakfast, then board the coach for a full day of visiting two of the Seven Church sites. Begin in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11), where, according to the Premier Study Bible, Polycarp, possibly a disciple of John’s, pastored before being martyred. Continue to Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17) which has extensive ruins. Return to Izmir Overnight in Izmir - Hyatt Regency Breakfast and Lunch Provided. Dinner on your own. You are free in the evening to choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby. |
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Day 4
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Sun. Oct 20 Izmir – Thyatira (Akhisar) – Sardis (Salihli) – Philadelphia (Alaşehir) – Denizli
Enjoy another outstanding buffet breakfast, then board the coach for a full day of visiting three of the Seven Church sites. Begin in Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), where Lydia the seller of purple was from (Acts 16:14, 40). Then visit Sardis, to whom Jesus said, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments…” (Rev 3:1-6). Visit the site of Philadelphia, the church about which Jesus had nothing evil to say (Rev 3:7-13). Dinner and overnight in Amin Boutique Hotel in Pamukkale. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided. |
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Day 5
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Mon, Oct 21 Denizli – Laodicea – Colossae - Kuşadasi
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and then spend ample time in the amazing, extensive ruins of Laodicea, the church that was “neither hot nor cold” (Rev 3:14-22). Walk atop the mound that covers the unexcavated Colossae. Dinner and overnight in Kuşadasi at the 5-Star Charisma Hotel. (OPTIONAL BALLOON RIDE EARLY MORNING BEFORE BREAKFAST- $120 US Cash payable on Sunday evening to the guide - $130 US for credit cards) Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided |
Day 6 |
Tues, Oct 22 Kuşadasi – Miletus - Didyma – Kuşadasi
Enjoy your buffet breakfast. Visit ancient Miletus, where Paul met with the elders of the church of Ephesus and said, “Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:15-38). Our next stop is Didyma. Return back to Kusadasi through cotton farms. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi at the relaxing 5-Star Charisma. Breakfast and Dinner Provided. Lunch is not Provided. |
Day 7 |
Wed, Oct 23 Kuşadasi – Ephesus – Kusadasi
After your buffet breakfast we will visit my favorite of the Seven Churches sites, Ephesus, where Paul preached in the school of Tyrannus for “two years” until “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:1-12). Sit in the very theatre where Paul’s companions were taken when “the whole city was filled with confusion” and the crowd chanted “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:23-41). We will spend the entire morning in Ephesus. Visit Turkish Carpet Shop to see how rugs are made. You can shop if you like or just observe the unique process. After lunch, return to your hotel to rest and prepare for the Ephesus Event. Return to Ephesus after closing hours for an exclusive apostolic experience culminating in a reception. At 11:00 pm return to the 5-Star Charisma Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided. |
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Day 8 Return
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Thurs. Oct 24 Izmir Airport
Breakfast at the hotel unless your flight leaves at an unreasonably early hour. Complimentary transfer from your hotel to the Izmir airport for your return to your home destination. Breakfast Provided. Note: Everything is subject to change. James 4:15 |
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Day 8 Istanbul Add On Option
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Thurs. Oct 24 Izmir Airport flight to Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer late morning or early afternoon to Izmir Airport for provided flight to Istanbul. Transfer in Istanbul to your private vessel for an exciting boat tour of the Bosphorus and transfer to the amazing 5 star Ciragan Palace Hotel, one of Istanbul's premier hotels, located on the Bosphorus. Dine on your own at one of the fine dining establishments at the hotel or walk to a nearby area featuring a variety of good restaurants. Relax overnight in the 5 star Ciragan Palace Kempinski with a vew of the Bosphorus. |
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Day 9 Istanbul Add On Option
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Fri. Oct 25 Istanbul Tour
After 5 star breakfast at the hotel, depart for a tour of Constantinople, the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire. Visit Hagia Sophia (built 532-537), for almost a thousand years the largest church building in existence until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. (This and the Pantheon in Rome are my favorite historical buildings in the world.) Istanbul Archeological Museum where you can view the Siloam Inscription found in Hezekiah's Tunnel in Jerusalem, visit the Grand Bazaar and haggle with the shopkeepers for curios or carpets. Leisurely afternoon and evening. Dinner on your own. Overnight again in the your 5 star Ciragan Palace Kempinski with a vew of the Bosphorus. |
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Day 10 Istanbul Add On Option - Return
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Sat. Oct 26 Istanbul Airport for return home
Breakfast at the hotel unless your flight leaves at an unreasonably early hour. The hotel will provide a breakfast box if you leave before breakfast but it is not anything compared to the breakfast at the hotel. Complimentary transfer from your hotel to the Istanbul airport for your return to your home destination. Breakfast Provided. Note: Everything is subject to change. James 4:15 |