Dr. King's Seven Churches of Asia Tour   -  Oct 12-21, 2023

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 "10-day tour" although there are only 8 full nights spent in Turkey. The 2 flight days are included in the 10 days.

 Day 1 Departure

Thurs, Oct 12.   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 12 and arrive in Izmir on Fri., Oct 13. You are free to arrive earlier if you wish, to enjoy time on your own in Izmir.)

Day 2

Fri, Oct 13   Arrive Izmir
Arrive at Izmir, Turkey, and transfer to your 5-Star Swissotel. Izmir is on the Aegean Sea. (Seeing that you will be arranging your own flights, you are welcome to arrive early to Izmir or stay later in Istanbul at the end of the trip for your own shopping or enjoyment. If so, you will be responsible to arrange your own hotels and transportation, etc…) In any case, you should plan your arrival at Izmir no later than 6:00 PM on Fri., Oct 13. (Those arriving later, or significantly earlier, will be responsible for paying their own taxi to the hotel. Depending on traffic, approximately 20 minutes from hotel.)  Overnight in the 5-Star Swissotel.  
Dinner on your own. You can choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby.

Day 3

Sat. Oct 14      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 and overnight in the 5-Star Swissotel. 
Breakfast and Lunch Provided.  Dinner on your own. You are free in the evening to choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby.

Day 4

Sun. Oct 15    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 near Laodicea at the Anim Boutique Hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided.

Day 5

Mon, Oct 16   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 with a view of the Aegean Sea.
Breakfast, Lunch,  and Dinner Provided

Day 6

Tues, Oct 17    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 Hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner Provided.   Lunch is not Provided.

Day 7

Wed, Oct 18   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 you have the option of returning to hotel for relaxation or returning to Ephesus for another visit. Dinner and overnight again in Kuşadasi at the 5-Star Charisma Hotel with a view of the Aegean Sea.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Provided.

Day 8

Thurs, Oct 19    Kusadasi – Izmir - Istanbul 
After your breakfast, transfer to the Izmir airport for a late morning or early afternoon short flight to Istanbul SAW airport. Transfer to your private vessel for an exciting boat tour of the Bosporus and transfer to the amazing 5-Star Swissotel Bosphorus, one of the world’s premier hotels. Dine on your own at one of the fine dining establishments within the Swissotel Bosphorus or walk to a nearby area featuring a variety of good restaurants. Relax and overnight in the Swissotel Bosphorus with a view of the Bosporus Straight.
Breakfast Provided. Lunch and Dinner on your own. You are free in the evening to choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby.

Day 9

Fri, Oct 20    Istanbul Tour 
​Enjoy a 5-Star breakfast before departing 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 your 5-Star Swissotel Bosphorus view hotel room.
Breakfast Provided.  Lunch and Dinner on your own. You are free in the evening to choose either to eat in the hotel or nearby.

Day 10 Return

Sat.  Oct 21  Istanbul Airport
Breakfast at the hotel unless your flight leaves at an unreasonably early hour. 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