Sacred Pathways: Tracing the Legacy of the Seven Churches 10 Day Tour

Welcome to Turkey and Istanbul. 

Your English-speaking transfer consultant, will meet you at the gate of the Istanbul International Airport - International Arrivals Terminal.

You will then be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul for some relaxation and refreshments.

The day ends with your hotel accommodation.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby and set off for Canakkale.

While on your journey, experience lunch at a local restaurant. Reach Canakale by using the 1915 Canakkale Bridge or ferry. See the ancient city of Troy with its 4,000-year-old history, and the giant Trojan Horse statue made for the 1980 German documentary film about the famous Trojan Horse, used in the Trojan War, and also the subject of Homer's epic Iliad and Odyssey, will greet you at the entrance of the ancient city of Troy.

End the day with a comfortable stay and dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, take the bus to Izmir via Bergama.

Visit the Pergamon Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get the opportunity to watch the region from a bird's eye view, by reaching the ancient city by cable car. Another of the seven churches mentioned in the Bible, the "Pergamon Church" will be waiting for you here.

Afterwards, step into the historical "City of Thyateira" in Manisa - Akhisar. The city, which was a weaving center in antiquity, is also home to the "Church of Thyateira", one of the "Seven Churches of the Book of Revelations". Thyatira, founded during the reign of Alexander the Great, was a city favored for its trade, especially for its purple dye, which was rare at that time.

Finally, set foot in the Ancient City of Smyrna. Izmir, the pearl of the Aegean Region and known as Smyrna in the Roman period; is one of the largest cities of the ancient world, as well as a city where Homer's house and the Temple of Athena are located. You will also be able to discover one of the famous Seven Churches here.

End your day by crowning it with a comfortable stay and a dinner at your hotel in Izmir.

After a pleasant breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kusadasi to visit the Ancient City of Ephesus. Ephesus is also home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In addition, this structure is known as the most important church of Anatolia, founded by St. Paul.

Then visit the Virgin Mary's House. The diminutive house, beautifully situated in the Solmissos Mountains, is considered by the Vatican to be the final resting place of Virgin Mary. Its idyllic garden contains a spring thought to have curative properties, which can be sampled by all. In this location, St. John's Basilica is also a structure worth exploring.

When your excursions are over, you will arrive in Kusadasi. The day will end here with comfortable accommodation and dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, set off for Pamukkale by bus.

Your first stop will be Sardis. Sardis, which was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom before the Roman Empire, is located in the Salihli district of Manisa today. The ancient city, which is also known as the place where money was first minted in the world, is also home to Bin Tepe, known as the largest mound in the world.

Then explore Philadelphia (Alasehir). Philadelphia is famous for its grapes, textiles and leather goods. As you can imagine, the name of the city of Philadelphia in the United States is also based on this ancient city.

Then, turn your route to Laodicea. Laodicea, located in Denizli and the former capital of Phrygia, is an ancient city with a deep-rooted and ancient past. The Laodicean Church was built during the reign of Constantine the Great, with the liberation of Christianity. You won't have enough of exploring this unique culture-rich and beautiful geography.

Next, visit Hierapolis Ancient City and Pamukkale (Cotton Castle). You will begin your visit by walking the marble streets of Hierapolis, which was built as an ancient Greek center of healing and pleasure. The Ancient City of Hierapolis is wonderfully placed on the pure white limestone terraces, formed by the underground natural hot springs. As you enjoy seeing the Great Theatre, Roman Baths, Temples of Apollo and Pluto, and more, your guide will tell you the stories of famous Greek and Roman mythological heroes people believed to have lived here.

The day will end in Pamukkale with comfortable accommodation and a dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our travel destinations today will be Cappadocia via Konya.

When you arrive in Konya, explore the ancient city after lunch at a local restaurant. Konya has been the area of interest of many researchers and travelers since the early times. The region located in the north of the Taurus Mountains, and between Cappadocia, Pisidia, Phrygia and Galatia, is called Lykaonia (Konya).

Afterwards, you will continue your journey to Sultanhani Caravanserai, which is located on the ancient Silk Road. You will visit this wonderfully restored 13th century Seljuk Caravanserai, which was used as a luxury hotel by merchants for nearly 500 years. Here, you will be fascinated by this visual feast, and you will want to immortalize this eye-catching place by taking countless photos.

Upon your arrival in Cappadocia, the day ends with your dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will start your tour in the fascinating “Land of Beautiful Horses”.

Goreme Open Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where towering fairy chimneys are on display. We will step inside the rock-cut churches and chapels, to admire fresco decorations from early Christian and Byzantine eras. 

Cappadocia's glamorous Underground Cities will amaze you. In these huge underground caves, you will discover how the ancient Christian people survived the persecution of Arabs and Sassanids.

Later on, you will discover Pigeons' (Guvercinlik) Valley. The 2-mile-long Pigeons' Valley, stretching from Uchisar to Goreme, takes its name from the pigeon nests carved into the rocks. The local people fed these pigeons until the 9th century and used their manure in the vineyards, and their eggs in the plaster of the frescos.

Afterwards, you will visit Uchisar Castle and Avanos. Uchisar is the highest point of the region, that draws the magnificent borders of the volcanic landscape and cave houses. Next will be a great learning experience of another major art of the Turks, Turkish Ceramic and world famous Iznik Tiles’ making, at one of the world’s celebrated master potters’ workshops in Avanos Village.

Finally, you will learn about the making of unique carpets in the place where Turkish Weaving Art was born. You will admire the artistic creations which include; flying international award-winning carpets, rugs, strings and more, which will all take your breath away.

Upon your arrival in Cappadocia, the day ends with your dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

Following the breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the capital city of Turkey, Ankara. After a smooth drive of two hours, you will arrive to the shores of the Salt Lake, the second largest lake of Turkey, occupying a huge area in the arid central plateau of the country. Especially during dry summer months, the water evaporates in huge quantities, leaving a thick salt crust on the surface, creating awesome sceneries. 

Afterwards, you will visit Anitkabir (Ataturk’s mausoleum), where we will pay our respects to the esteemed founder of modern Turkey, and learn about the recent history of the modern Turkish Republic.

End the day after a comfortable stay and dinner at your hotel in Bolu.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will reach Istanbul by bus.

To begin your Istanbul tour today, start with the Roman Hippodrome, one of the largest stadiums in the Roman world, where chariot races, gladiator fights, circuses, parades and events were held. Afterwards, enjoy discovering the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), a masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman imperial mosque architecture. There are more than 20,000 Iznik tiles in the mosque. These unique handmade tiles, which fascinate the guests with their rich colors, dominated by blue and oriental patterns, have become collective works that are put up for auction in famous houses such as Sotheby’s.

Do not finish your tour without seeing the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the most magnificent and impressive Christian cathedral built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. 

Afterwards, set off to see the other beauties of the Historical Peninsula. Take a historical journey by closely experiencing the magnificent Topkapi Palace and Imperial Treasures, built by the Ottoman Sultans, who ruled over three continents and seven seas. Today, Topkapi Palace offers its visitors magnificent displays of the 86-carat Spoonmaker's (Kasikci) Diamond, Topkapi Dagger, Golden Throne, Sacred Relics and many more Ottoman Family Dynasty Collections.

Be enchanted by the grandeur of the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi). The Grand Bazaar, along with magnificent mosque complexes, was the mother of all bazaars, and a monument to the “Rise of Istanbul”- the great master plan of the Turks for the rejuvenation and reanimation of an old imperial capital. It contains 4,000 shops, employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable is for sale, including gold and silver jewelry, rugs, carpets, antiques, tiles, leather, and endless souvenirs, but just seeing and experiencing this mother of all bazaars is worth the trip.

And top off your day with a Boat Tour on the enchanting Bosphorus. End the day with a return to your comfortable hotel accommodations after enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by your “traveling family”.

Dinner is included.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to airport by bus. Afterwards, your journey will begin for your next destination. We will wave goodbye and wish you a safe and happy return.