Pilgrimages Turkey

Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by TIT Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (B, L,D)

Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and the Hagia Sophia Museum, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 03 – Smyrna and Pergamum (B,L,D)

After check-out you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for a morning flight to Izmir. On arrival, your guide will take you on a tour of the Izmir (Smyrna) City Center with a stop at the Kadifekale and St. Polycarp Church. You will then depart for Bergama to discover the ruins of Pergamum, renowned as the cultural and political center used by the Romans in ancient times. Your tour then proceeds to the ruins of the Acropol and the Asclepion. Con completion of your tour, your evening will be free to enjoy the sites of Bergama. (Smyrna - Revelation: 2:8-11, Pergamun - Revelation: 2:12-17)

DAY 04 – Thyatira, Sardes and Philadelphia (B,L,D)

Check-out and start your day with a visit the ruins of Thyatira (founded by the Lydians) and on to Sardes, which was the wealthy capital of the Lydian Empire and also Philadelphia which was very important for the spreading of words and activities of the Hellenistic civilization and Christian faith. The day will conclude upon arrival at Pamukkale, where you will check-in to your hotel and allowing you the opportunity to take a thermal bath in the famous “cotton castles”. (Thyatira - Revelation: 2:18-29, Sardes - Revelation: 3:1-6, Philadelphia - Revelation: 3:7-13)

DAY 05 – Pamukkale, Aphrodisias and Laodicea (B, L,D)

This morning you will start the day with a visit to the natural formation of the Travertens found in Pamukkale, along with a visit to the ruins of Hierapolis. Your tour continues on to visit the magnificent ruins of Aphrodisias, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey, along with the remains of Laodicea which was noted in Revelations as the "City of Compromise". (Laodicea - Revelation: 3:14-22)

DAY 06 – Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary (B, L,D)

Today is a full day tour starting with a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple, one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World, followed by a visit to the Ephesus Ancient City, renowned as the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Here you will explore the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, Roman baths, Grand Theater and Marble Street. After a relaxing lunch break your tour will depart for the House of Virgin Mary and visit the chapel where she is said to have spent her last days. On the completion of the tour you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for a return flight to Istanbul to spend your last night leisurely in Istanbul. (Ephesus - Revelation: 1:11:2:1-7, Ephesus - Acts 18:19-28:19)

DAY 07 – Departure Transfer (B) Breakfast,

check-out & transfer to Istanbul International Airport as per your onward flight schedule.

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