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Itinerary: |
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DAY
1 ISTANBUL – IZMIR
Welcome to
Izmir to the
third biggest city of Turkey which has an importance of being the
home of early Christianity and an important center for all tourist
attractions. Being the
birthplace of Homer Izmir composes a radius position for our
special Seven Churches of Revelation tour in Asia Minor.
DK staff will meet you at Adnan Menderes Airport. Transfer to the
hotel located in the center of city. Since you’ll be tired we
strongly advise to rest. Those who would like to explore the city,
why not walking around at the hotel in order to get acquaintance
with “Pearl of Aegean”?. At night we’ll invite you a traditional
Turkish Restaurant in order to welcome you and give some information
related to the tour with the specialized professional guides about
biblical tours in Turkey.
DAY 2
PERGAMUM (2:12-17) – THYATIRA (2:18-29 Acts 16:14)
Pergamum:
first an ancient Kingdom dated back 323 B.C. This Hellenistic city
was the center of culture, commerce and medical with its
philosophers, scientists and artists like Galen (131-210 AD).
Acropolis, remains of celebrated library, an impressive Hellenistic
style 10000 spectator capacity theater, marble columned temples of
Trajan and the Temple of Dionysus, the Temple of Athena, library of
Pergamum once catered 200.000 volumes, (It’s not hard to guess the
first parchment paper was invented here) the sanctuary of Demeter,
Zeus Altar one of the grandest monuments; Satan’s Throne caused the
Christian church criticized by St. John and great medical treatment
center Asclepion where the symbol of modern medicine came from.
After lunch we’ll proceed another Christian community mentioned in
the book of Revelations. Thyatira (Akhisar), the temple that is
dedicated to St. John was converted into a basilica. We’ll explore
the remains of Basilica. Later we’ll proceed for Izmir passing by
Manisa reflecting the great architecture from Ottoman Empire time.
Late at night we’ll take you a special fish restaurant in Cesmealti.
We guarantee that you’ve never had this taste before. It’ll be your
night out for your life. [B]
DAY 3 SMYRNA (2:8-11)
This morning our
tour will start from
Bayrakli
which was originally established in the 3rd millenium BC. then we’ll
proceed for Alexander Great’s Velvet Castle & agora, watch the
spectacular view of Izmir Bay from here. For lunch, we’ll take you a
special restaurant then the DK bus drop you off at Ethnography
Museum where you can find simply everything related to the Turkish
culture as well as the culture of Aegean people. After
Ethnography
Museum we’ll pop in Archaeological Museum. Those who would like
to rest will be taken to the hotel since those activities may be
tiring for them. Other guests are welcome to explore the city center
and the grand Kemeralti bazaar with many historical buildings such
as mosques and ancient shops. Later we’ll serve you a traditional
Turkish coffee or your favorite apple tea in ancient Kizlaragasi
Caravenserai. After visiting Hisaronu having an Ottoman Empire time
atmosphere we’ll take you to the hotel. After a break we’ll have a
short ride to Kemalpasa for our night entertainment. Kemalpasa is
wonderful place to examine the ancestor of Turks with their
traditions coming from Middle Asia. You’ll explore the little Middle
Asia with many ways as well as its own cuisine in a very traditional
way. Join us! [B]
DAY
4 SARDIS (3:1-6) – PHILADELPHIA (3:7-13)
In the morning
we’ll depart for Sardis, capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus,
lying on the Sart Cayi (Pactole River). Here you’ll face the
inventions of mankind. The first coins were minted in Sardis, did
you know that? We’ll enter from the marble way passing by the old
Byzantine shops. Another must to see is old Synagogue (3rd A.D.)
with its dazzling decoration and style. Next to that there is a
gymnasium restored for the visitors. Further down The Temple of
Artemis meets you with a few columns however it’s still impressive,
next you’ll see the Altar that was restored by Alexander the Great
and Romans. Odun köfte (wooden grill meat balls) is a special dish
in Salihli. Join us to have this delicious lunch. After lunch we’ll
proceed for Philadelphia (not only in Pennsylvania State but also in
Turkey) We’ll walk thru the streets of Philadelphia in Alasehir,
then we’ll arrive at Pamukkale, a magical and spectacular natural
site, unique in the world, that was declared as a world heritage
site by UNESCO. Here is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified
castles. Thermal spring waters with calcareous salts running off the
plateau's edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites,
cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman
times for their therapeutic powers. You’ll certainly need this in
order recharge your body as ancient people did. [B]
DAY
5 LAODICEA (3:14-22) – HIERAPOLIS – APHRODISIAS
In the morning
we’ll start with Laodicea (Eskihisar) the lukewarm country. It was a
commercial city situated in the trade routes. The two theaters, the
stadium and the other ruins await for your visit here. The city was
established 3rd century BC and the King of Syria Antiochus the
Second Theos gave the name of his wife to the city. Roman water
arches are still visible. Laodicea unfortunately displays very
limited history however it’s important to see as it’s in the Book of
Revelation. The second stop is Hierapolis with its best preserved
baths. From East to the West there was a street having shops that
lined up as every ancient city. The Basilica (dated back 6th Century
AD), The temple of Apollo, the well preserved theater that can cater
14.000 spectator at a time and the carved figures on the interior
door must be seen in Hiearapolis. Next we’ll see the church was
devoted to St. Philip and the Domitian Arch. Necropolis where over
1200 cemeteries were excavated is another important site of
Hierapolis. Because of the healthy water of
Pamukkale this city once was called as a Sacred city. Time to
have lunch and rest a bit. Yörük restaurant is the best place for
your entertainment and animation with delicious Turkish food. After
lunch, we’ll enter Aphrodisias, one of the important religious sites
dated back to 2800 BC. Aphrodite the goddess of love was also called
Venus by Romans. After 8th century, the city became more popular due
to the temple of Aphrodisias a favorite place for the pilgrims for
almost 1000 years. The whole city collapses 520 acres. The city
walls surround about over 3,5 km that was built at late Roman period.
The ruins of Sebasteion; the theater established in late Hellenistic
period; the sculptures (mostly displayed in the museum), the ruins
of the baths, gymnasium, the Byzantium Stavropolis are the major
sights. Along the Acropolis we’ll examine the baths with carved
gates devoted both Aphrodite and Hadrian; the big pool which was
excavated by the archaeologists in the recent years, the most
beautiful marble construction the Odeon. The Temple of Aphrodite,
the Bishop’s church, the two columned Tetraphylon and well preserved
stadium for 30000 spectator. Aphrodisias is an important ancient
city in terms of art as well as science and philosophy. Later we’ll
depart for Kusadasi an impressive summer resort where the liners
always pop in, en route we’ll have our dinner at one of the famous
restaurants. At night check-in at the hotel and take your time for
the rest of the colorful nights of Kusadasi. [B]
DAY
6 EPHESUS (1:11, 2:1-7 Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41) (Ephesians 19:24-40)
Today we’ll invite
you to one of the greatest archaeological sites as well as Seven
Churches in the Book of Revelation.
Ephesus
where St. Paul Preached is an ancient city that you’ll never get
bored to discover with its marble paved streets. The Third
Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus. The east Gymnasium, the
state Agora, the remain of the Temple of Isis (Goddess of Egypt),
the Heracletes Gate, Curates Street named for the college of priests
located here, Scholastic Baths, well preserved two storey Celcus
Library, Marble Road, great theater that is still hosting the
concerts and festivals, Arcadian way, (Harbor Street) once lined up
with shops towards the harbor and the Basilica of St. John are the
main places for our informative tour in Ephesus. Later we’ll wind up
Virgin
Mary’s House that was visited by Popes and is considered as a
pilgrimage site for Catholics as well. You’ll get the chance to
drink holy water from the sacred spring there. After Ephesus, we’ll
depart for Selçuk and typical Turkish Village Sirince which is
famous for its tasty wine & gozleme cooked in wooden stove in a
traditional atmosphere. After Sirince we’ll go back to Kusadasi as
there are many things to discover. Explore the grand bazaar by
yourself or just rest at the hotel. At night, we’ll invite you a
farewell dinner at one of the famous restaurants in Kusadasi [B]
DAY 7 END OF OUR SERVICE
Well, it was
pleasure to share these precious moments with you. Transfer to Izmir
Adnan Menderes Airport by DK bus for “home sweet home”. Time to have
your present in order to make this trip memorable. Thanks for
choosing the right agency [B]
You may extend your
stay by choosing
Istanbul or
Blue Voyage
packages from Izmir or one of the
tours. For more
information please
contact us
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