7 Churches of Asia and Istanbul 2026 with Dr Johnny King
Oct 7-14, 2026
7th October: Depart North America for flight to Izmir, Turkey (ADB)
8th October : Arrive in Izmir - No meals included on arrival day Arrive at Izmir, Turkey. Transfer to hotel from airport with included transfer. (You will be arranging your own international flights. You are welcome to arrive early or stay later for your own shopping or enjoyment. If so, you will be responsible to arrange your own hotels and transportation, etc.) Overnight in the 5-Star Hyatt Regency İzmir İstinyePark in sea view rooms
9th October : Izmir – Pergamos – Izmir (Breakfast Buffet Included – Lunch Included with water and one soft drink - Dinner on your own) 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. Overnight in the 5-Star Hyatt Regency İzmir İstinyePark in sea view rooms
10th October : Izmir - Thyatira– Sardis – Philadelphia– Denizli (Breakfast Buffet and Set Menu Dinner at hotel included – Lunch included with water and one soft drink) 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 5-Star Anim Boutique Hotel
11th October : Denizli – Laodicea – Colossae – Kuşadasi (Breakfast and Dinner Buffets Included at hotel– Included Lunch -Including water and one soft drink)
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 Deluxe Hotel with a view of the Aegean Sea.
12th October : Kuşadasi –Miletus – Didyma – Kuşadasi (Breakfast and Dinner Buffets Included at hotel– Lunch not included)
Enjoy your buffet breakfast. Morning 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). Visit Didyma and return to Kusadasi through cotton farms. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi at the relaxing 5-Star Charisma Deluxe Hotel with a view of the Aegean Sea.
13th October : Kuşadasi – Ephesus – Kusadasi (Breakfast and Dinner Buffets Included at hotel– Included Lunch with water and one soft drink)
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). See 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. If possible, we will visit the traditional site of the Apostle John’s burial. Dinner and overnight again in Kuşadasi at the 5-Star Charisma Deluxe Hotel with a view of the Aegean Sea.
14th October : Kusadasi – Izmir (Breakfast Buffet Included) Included private transfer to the Izmir airport for your flight back home.
If you are on the Istanbul Add On Option: 14th October : Kusadasi – Izmir - Istanbul (Breakfast Buffet included. Lunch and Dinner not included)
Included flight from Izmir to Istanbul. Transfer to your private yacht for an exciting boat tour of the Bosporus, finishing at the amazing 5-star Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, one of the Istanbul’s premier hotels. Our luggage will be transferred to the hotel. Dine on your own at one of the fine dining establishments within the hotel or walk to a nearby area featuring a variety of good restaurants. Relax and overnight in the Çırağan Palace Kempinski with a view of the Bosporus Straight.
15th October: Istanbul Tour (AMAZING Breakfast Buffet included. Lunch and Dinner not included) 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.) Visit the Grand Bazaar and haggle with the shopkeepers for curios or carpets. Leisurely afternoon and evening. Overnight again in your 5-Star Çırağan Palace Kempinski with a view of the Bosporus Straight.
16h October: Istanbul Airport (AMAZING Breakfast Buffet included)
Breakfast at the hotel unless your flight leaves at an unreasonably early hour. Included transfer from your hotel to the Istanbul airport for your return to your home destination. (You will be arranging your own international flights. You are welcome to stay later for your own shopping or enjoyment. If so, you will be responsible for arranging your own hotels and transportation, etc)