Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Today we wdiscover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. We visit St. Sofia, the (church of the sacred wisdom), converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. We see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt.Then our next visit is the Blue Mosque with its six minarets. Afternoon we will visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its fabulous treasure chambers. After the lunch, Murtis Tour will take you to the Grand Spice Bazaar which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping.Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Transfer from hotel to Istanbul Airport for flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, we proceed to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18 - 24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.In the afternoon, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and second one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l - 11). Smyrna is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We ascend to Mount Pagus where we visit the Citadel of Lysimachus, commander of Alexander the Great, erected in the 4th century BC. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight in Izmir.

After breakfast we drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here, we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world. Then the Asklepion, famous medical center of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus, which mentioned, as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan.Moreover, The Library, which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment. Overnight in Izmir.

Today we depart early in the morning to visit one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1 - 4]. Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolus.Lunch break will be given en route.Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes. We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites.The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13], we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. Watch the sunset over the petrified waterfalls. Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Today we depart early in the morning to visit Laodicea before continuing to Ephesus. Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13 - 16]. We see the ancient theatre, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes.We visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. After that drive to Ephesus to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations are still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Temple of Artemis, Ephesus ancient sites and Virgin Mary.Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city. We visit The House of Virgin Mary where she spent her latest years. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Transfer to the Izmir airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing us.