Tour the expansive ruins of Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the New Testament (Revelation  2:1-7). The apostle Paul came here in 53 AD and according to tradition  the apostle John wrote his gospel here. Visit the archaeological site and the tomb of John the Evangelist. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Visit two more of the seven churches today, Pergamon & Thyratira. Pergamon is the church that Christ affirmed and rebuked (Revelation 2:12-17) with His famous statement “where Satan has his throne."   Pergamon (Acropolis) was the capital of a Hellenistic kingdom of that name, which ruled western Asia Minor. Then, head to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira,  birthplace of Lydia and of the New Testament Jezebel. The  church at Thyatira was praised for its growing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel (Revelation 2:18-28). 

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Agora / Sardis / Philadelphia / Laodicea / Pamukkale

After breakfast, drive to Agora, (biblical Smyrna) a city founded in 3,000 BC and one of the Seven Churches that John referred to as the poor and persecuted church that God announced was rich (Revelation 2:8-11). We will then visit Sardis,  an ancient militarily strong city located along an important highway and among the fertile plains of Hermus (Geldiz River). Although Sardis  was a powerful and wealthy city with a reputation for being alive, God announced that it was actually dead (Revelation 3:1-6). We will go to the modern city of Alasehir and visit the site of ancient Philadelphia,  the church that received God's highest praise (Revelation 3:7-13). Here we will see the remains of a Byzantine  basilica built with brick and adorned with 11th century frescoes. Visit  the ancient city and church of Laodicea, where the apostle John rebuked the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Hotel: 1 night Colossae Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale

Visit  the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis.  Recently this city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue towards the city of Yalvac to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia, where Saint  Paul "turns to the Gentiles" in his teachings.  Dinner and overnight in Konya.

Hotel: 1 night Bayir Diamond Hotel in Konya 

After breakfast, enjoy scenic driving through the incredibly beautiful, other-worldly landscape of the Capadoccia region where early Christians hid from persecution. Visit the Kaymaklı Underground City and see the cave houses and churches of the early Christians.

Hotel: 1 night Dinler Hotel in Cappadoccia

This morning we will explore the Goreme Monastic Center. This open-air museum is filled with picturesque rock-hewn churches and chapels adorned with colorful Byzantine frescoes. We will then head to Ortahisar to discover its beautiful valleys and stop at the Three Beauties, the most famous of the region's many conical rock formations. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Today we will also walk through the  Zelve Valley and see its hundreds of houses and chapels carved into the rock, and we will visit the Pasabag Valley, also known as the Valley o the Monks, to explore its tower-shaped hermitages. Continue to Kayseri  Airport and fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Istanbul.

Optional activity:  Hot air balloon ride

Hotel:  2 nights Occidental Hotel in Istanbul

First, we'll stroll through Hippodrome Square, the ancient sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted chariot races during Roman times.   And then, we will walk directly in front of the mosque to visit the dome-shaped masterpiece of Hagia Sophia before heading to Topkapi Palace. Located on the same cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace is the former residence of the Ottoman sultans and still houses their legion of treasures,  including an extensive collection of royal jewelry. We'll end the day with an evening of shopping at the Grand Bazaar, the huge covered market that houses a labyrinth of streets lined with shops selling jewelry, leather goods, and many other handcrafted souvenirs. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Depart any time from the Istanbul Airport.