Seven Churches Tour
A 7-day journey following the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, exploring the most important ancient cities of Western Anatolia. From Smyrna to Ephesus, from Pergamon to Laodicea, this route includes the most significant centers and holy sites of early Christianity.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Flight to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and hotel transfer.
Day 2After breakfast, visit to the Church of Polycarp in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11). Then journey to Pergamon (Rev 2:12-17), modern-day Bergama. Visit to the Acropolis: foundations of the famous Zeus Altar, library, Hellenistic theater, Temple of Trajan, and the sanctuary of the health god Asclepius. Dinner and overnight in Bergama.
Day 3After breakfast, journey to Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29; Acts 16:14), modern-day Akhisar. Here we'll see where Lydia the purple seller lived. Then to Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), one of the world's most important kingdoms. We'll see a gymnasium, synagogue, agora, shops, and part of the Royal Road. Later, visit to Philadelphia (Rev 3:14-22), modern AlaÅŸehir, to see basilica ruins. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 4After breakfast, visit to ancient Hierapolis (Col 4:13; episcopal see of Papias): baths, theater, colonnaded street, and necropolis. Walk to St. Philip's Martyrium and white travertine terraces. Then to Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22; Col 4:15-16) to see an unexcavated ancient city. Later, climb to Colossae (Col 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 5After breakfast, visit to see the art of carpet weaving reflecting thousands of years of culture. Then to ancient Aphrodisias, famous for its sculptors, philosophers, and doctors, also known as the center of Aphrodite's fertility cult. Dinner and overnight in Selçuk or Kuşadası.
Day 6Detailed tour of ancient Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) from the Hellenistic-Roman period: agora, public buildings, terrace houses, Celsus Library, main street, theater where silversmiths gathered against Paul (Acts 19), council church, Basilica of St. John, and site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the seven wonders of the world. Museum visit and trip to House of Virgin Mary. Dinner and overnight in Selçuk or Kuşadası.
Day 7Transfer to airport and return flight.