Your pilgrimage begins as you board your international flight for Istanbul.
 

Upon arrival, you will be met by our airport representative. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul for dinner and overnight. 

The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532 -537 AD). The church has 107 columns, fossil-embedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. We will walk through the Hippodrome Square and then visit the underground Cisterns dating to Byzantine times. Visit the Archaeological Museum, then have dinner and stay overnight in Istanbul.

Visit the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora. This church is an exquisite example of Byzantine architecture embellished with 13th-century frescoes and gold-gilded mosaics. Enjoy the famous Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, then close the day with a beautiful Bosphorus cruise. Take an evening flight to Izmir. Check into your hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The third largest city in modern Türkiye is Izmir, has long been a center for Jewish and Christian communities. In Paul’s day, the town was known as Smyrna. It was also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2:8-11). You will see the Agora, the colonnaded commercial center where Roman statues can still be seen. Visit Pergamum, one of the seven churches mentioned in Revelations (Rev. 2:12). It displeased the Lord because it tolerated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which Christ hated (Rev. 2:13-17). The fabled Acropolis towers 1000 feet above the town and commands a spectacular panorama. As you pass through the Royal Gates, you will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. You will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the Library which once held 200,000 parchment volumes. You will see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium, and the Health Center (Aesclepion). Visit Thyatira once a busy trading center, home to Lydia, the “seller of purple” (Acts 16). Today, it is famous for Persian rugs. Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations, tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1:11; 2:18-29). Return to your hotel in Izmir for dinner and your overnight stay.

Visit the site of Philadelphia, also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3:7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev. 3:12) Today, not much is left to mark the spot. You will see an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Travel to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue. Have dinner and stay overnight in Pamukkale.

You can take an optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia this morning for an additional fee. Famous as the receiver of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, the town of Colossae has fallen into obscurity. While you can still see traces of the theatre, the Necropolis, and the Church, the ancient city is mostly indistinguishable ruins. Hierapolis is blessed with hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians in saluting Epaphras, a fellow laborer, for his love of the brethren there (Colossians 4:13). The ruins cover more than a mile. You will see the impressive amphitheater with seats still in perfect condition. You will see the City Gates, column-lined streets, and arches, which have stood through time and earthquakes. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle,” named for the limestone-laden hot springs that cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3:14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3:15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3:20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Have dinner and stay overnight in Pamukkale.

Have a relaxing morning at the hotel before we travel to the hotel in Kusadasi. We will stop for lunch along the way. (Lunch is on your own.)

Today, you will sail to the Island of Patmos to visit the Monastery of St. John, high on the mountain overlooking the entire island. Walk down to the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the caves where it is believed that the exiled Apostle Paul John lived and was inspired by God to write the Book of Revelation and other letters to the early church. Have dinner and stay overnight in Kusadasi.

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Today, you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. You will view the Library and the huge Agora. View the terrace houses, also known as “the houses of the rich. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. You will visit the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of his grave. From the basilica, enjoy a commanding view of the area. You will visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. Fly to Istanbul for dinner and your overnight stay.

Return to the USA with memories of a lifetime.