Private Turkey Highlight Tour With Seven Churches of Revelation

Day 1 Welcome and Enjoy Istanbul

1. 1

   Istanbul

   8 hours

   We welcome you at Istanbul Airport (IST) in the early morning. Then, drive to Istanbul city center. Have a nice breakfast at a local cafe. Then, move to Taksim Square. Walk along popular Istiklal Street. Visit St. Antuan Church. Then. Move to Galata Tower. Discover the Galata area and enjoy amazing terrace view of Istanbul from the tower. Afterward, take historical Finike from Galata to Karakoy. Stop by Historical Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklavacısı to taste popular baklava in Karaköy and see authentic streets of Karakoy. Then, move to Galata Bridge and Karakoy. Afterwards, take a Bosphorus boat tour from Eminönü (Shared boat-Not private boat). See the magnificent architecture of Istanbul from different views. See Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Anatolia Fortress and Maiden’s Tower, discovering both European and Asian sides of Istanbul during our boat tour. After boat tour, check in hotel and have rest.

Day 2 Discover Old City Istanbul

1. 1

   Hagia Sophia Mosque

   8 hours Admission ticket included

   Let’s discover old city Istanbul, the heart of history, culture, and entertainment! Starting at Hippodrome, let’s visit Blue Mosque, then move to Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Then, let's deepen our exploration with Basilica Cistern and then Istanbul Archeological Museum. Finally, visit the ancient Grand Bazaar for shopping and see its beautiful art. Then, drive to Pergamon.

2. 2

   Blue Mosque

   1 min Admission ticket included

   Visit Blue Mosque

3. 3

   TopkapI Palace

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The palace complex is located on the Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu), a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, where the Bosphorus Strait meets the Marmara Sea. The terrain is hilly and the palace itself is located at one of the highest points close to the sea. During Greek and Byzantine times, the acropolis of the ancient Greek city of Byzantion stood here

4. 4

   Basilica Cistern

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Κινστέρνα, Turkish: Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Yerebatan Saray, "Subterranean Cistern" or "Subterranean Palace"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey

5. 5

   Istanbul Archaeological Museum

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The Istanbul Archaeology Museums (Turkish: İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri) are a group of three archaeological museums located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, near Gülhane Park and Topkapı Palace.
   The Istanbul Archaeology Museums consists of three museums:
   Archaeological Museum (in the main building)
   Museum of the Ancient Orient
   Museum of Islamic Art (in the Tiled Kiosk).

Day 3 Thyatira-Pergamon-Symrna

1. 1

   Pergamon Ancient City

   2 min Admission ticket included

   During the Hellenistic period, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon in 281–133 BC under the Attalid dynasty, transforming it into one of the significant cultural centers of the Greek world. Many remains of its monuments can still be seen, especially the Pergamon Altar's masterpiece. Pergamon was the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation.

2. 2

   1 hour

   Thyateira (also Thyatira; Ancient Greek: Θυάτειρα) was the name of an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, now the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle"), Manisa Province. The name is probably Lydian. It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul, and almost due east of Athens. It is about 50 miles (80 km) from the Aegean Sea.

3. 3

   1 hour

   Smyrna was a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The name of the city since about 1930 is İzmir.
   we drive to Smyrna (Izmir) Antic City to visit Church of Smyrna and discover ancient city. Ancient Smyrna, was the one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote. Visit the Church of St. POLICARP which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.

Day 4 Kusadasi-Ephesus-Sirince

1. 1

   Kusadasi Castle

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   In the morning, visit Kusadasi Marina, Pigeon Island and Kusadasi castle.

2. 2

   Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Then, let’s first visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent her final years.

3. 3

   Ephesus Museum

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   Then, visit ancient city of Ephesus which was the Roman Capital. It is located opposite the island of Samos and it is the closest of Revelation's seven churches to the island of Patmos where the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. See various UNESCO listed ruins such as Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and the Great Theatre, Public Latrines and Roman Baths. Have a walk through grand Arcadian Avenue and hang around Agora. Then, visit also the Church of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him

4. 4

   The Temple of Artemis

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Then, visit Selcuk Castle and Selcuk Archeological Museum, and. Stop by Temple of Artemis.

5. 5

   Sirince Koyu

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   visit to Sirince Village in Selcuk. Visit traditional historical Sirince Houses. Stop by local market in Sirince.

Day 5 Sardis- Philadelphia-Laodicea

1. 1

   Sardis (Sardes)

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   In the morning, we will move to Salihli, to the another Seven Churches, Sardis, which is presently called Sart. It was the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom of the 6th century BC and was portrayed as a dying church. We discover the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which later became a Byzantine Church. We will also cover some ancient Lydian houses, the gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue.

2. 2

   Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Then, we will move to another Seven Church, Philadelphia, which is presently called Alasehir. It is the only church not censured. We see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick and some 11th-century frescoes

3. 3

   Laodicea

   2 min Admission ticket included

   Then, drive to Pamukkale. Visit Laodicea ancient city. Visit another Seven Churches in Asia Minor in Laodicea. We will visit the ancient theater, the remains of the basilica and ancient stone water pipes. We will also cover the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Then, move to Pamukkale.

Day 6 Relax in Pamukkale

1. 1

   Pamukkale Thermal Pools

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   It’s time to relax in Pamukkale! Pamukkale has both historical and natural beauties! Let's have relax in thermal pools and cool down with calcium rich mineral springs around Pamukkale Travertines.

2. 2

   Hierapolis & Pamukkale

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Then, explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and visit Cleopatra Polls (Swimming is optional and extra).

3. 3

   Cleopatra Pools

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   visit Cleopatra Polls

4. 4

   Pamukkale Theater

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Let's also visit Amphitheatre which is full of history. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis, we will also visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian.

Day 7 Explore Underground Cities, Cappadocia

1. 1

   Sultanhani Kervansarayi

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   In the morning, drive to Cappadocia. On our way, stop by Sulhanhani Kervansaray

2. 2

   Selime ManastIrI

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Visit Selime ancient city

3. 3

   Ihlara Valley

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Let’s explore Ihlara Valley. Explore natural beauty and ancient sites in Ihlara Valley which is about 14 km. Walk along the Valley near Melendiz River and stop by ancient cave churches and historical destinations.

4. 4

   Kaymakli Underground City

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Explore Kaymakli / Derinkuyu Underground Cities which were built because of mandatory situations with magnificent building arts

Day 8 Explore Cappadocia

1. 1

   Cappadocia

   2 hours

   Take hot air balloon tour very early morning (Optional). Enjoy a magnificent balloon tour over Cappadocia! See the beautiful views of hot air balloons over fairy chimneys and discover amazing rock formations of valleys all around Cappadocia.

2. 2

   Goreme Open-Air Museum

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Visit Openair Göreme Museum where monastery, church, chapel, etc. exist.

3. 3

   Pasabag

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   It's time to visit Paşabağ and Zelve Open Air Museums to see the Fairy Chimneys closely.

4. 4

   Avanos Oren Yeri

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Then, drive to Avanos. Walk along Kizilirmak river. Involve in historical pottery making workshop in Avanos. Then, visit Urgup Three Beautifuls. Afterwards, stop by Güvercinlik Valley and visit Uçhisar Castle. Enjoy panoramic view of Cappadocia from the top of castle. Enjoy beautiful sunset of Cappadocia

Day 9 Transfer to Airport

1. 1

   Ankara Province

   1 hour

   It’s time to go back home! We will transfer to Ankara Airport. Have a nice flight!