Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Includes:(D);
Day 2: Istanbul
After breakfast, a full day visit of the city, including the Hagia Sophia church, glory of the Byzantine Empire; the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles from Nicea; Byzantine Hippodrome where once horse and chariot races took place; the Church of St. Savior in Chora, representing best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art with scenes from the life of Blessed Virgin; Topkapi Palace with its magnificent exhibitions of the treasury, silverware, costumes etc. Lunch during visits and dinner in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 3: Istanbul - Bursa
After breakfast depart for Nicea (Iznik) taking the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge over the Bosphorus and a short ferry ride in the Sea of Marmara. Home of two Ecumenical Councils, Nicea has several Byzantine and Ottoman relics in the heart of ancient Bytinia. Here you値l see Hagia Sophia church and the City Walls. Lunch in the restaurant and proceed to Bursa, first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Grand Mosque, Green Mosque and Mausoleum. Dinner and stay in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 4: Bursa - Pamukkale
Breakfast in the hotel and drive to Sardis, ancient capital of Lydia and one of the Seven Churches. There is a beautiful archaeological site where you値l see a church, restored Roman Baths, Synagogue and shops. After lunch proceed to Alasehir and visit another Church of the Apocalypse, Philadelphia, where you値l see the Church of St John with some frescoes. Then continue to Pamukkale visiting Laodicea and its barely excavated site. Dinner in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 5: Pamukkale - Izmir
After breakfast visit Hierapolis where St. Philip was martyred and proceed to Ephesus, ancient Roman capital of Asia Minor. Here you値l see the Library of Celsus, largest theater in Anatolia where St. Paul faced the Ephesians supporting their goddess Artemis, Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, Agoras etc. After Lunch visit the House of Virgin Mary on Panaghia Kapulu Mountain where it is believed that she spent last years of her life. Then visit the Basilica of St. John where he was buried after returning from exile in Patmos and Justinian built a cathedral over his tomb in the sixth century. Drive to Smyrna, modern day Izmir, for dinner and overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 6: Izmir - Assos
Breakfast in the hotel and depart for Assos. Along the way visit Tyatira (Akhisar) where you値l see foundations of a Christian church and Roman road. Then proceed to Pergamon to visit the church of St. John at the Red Court, and the Acropolis for its Hellenistic and Roman relics. After lunch drive to Assos where St. Paul visited after Alexandria Troas on his third journey. Dinner and stay in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 7: Assos - Istanbul
After breakfast depart for Troy, place of the famous Trojan War, the city is dating back to 3,000 BC with 9 different layers of settlers. You can also see a replica of the Trojan Horse. Take a ferry across Dardanelles strait and then a pleasant drive to Istanbul. Lunch en route. Dinner and Stay in the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D);
Day 8: Istanbul
Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
This is a "group only" tour. Cost of the group may vary depending on group size.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Church Tours
Cultural Journey
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