| Day 1
Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul airport and transfer to the hotel. Briefing and Welcome
Cocktail in the evening. (Dinner)
Day 2
Istanbul
Following breakfast, we will visit the exquisitely structured Dolmabahce
Palace, situated on the shores of the Bosphorus. This impressive complex
has been used as a summer residence for the Sultans during the latter
years of the Ottoman Empire. Next we drive to the "Old City"
where we will visit the Hippodrome, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic
Arts, the Blue Mosque (famous for her delicately beautiful blue tiles)
and Saint Sophia. The church, turned-mosque, turned-museum amazes the
visitor with her architectural ingenuity. Moving on we will visit the
Underground Cistern built by Justinian in 535 A.D. and the Suleymaniye
Mosque, built by Master Architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman
the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. Following our return to the hotel for a
quick rest and a change, we will proceed for dinner at an Istanbul night-spot
where the floor-show will include live music and Belly Dancing. (Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3
Izmir (Pergamon)
On our way to Izmir this morning we will stop by the hauntingly beautiful
Pergamon, perched high on a hill overlooking the Bergama plain. A royal
city indeed, Pergamon makes an appearance in history in 399 B.C. Among
the impressive structures of this city we will see the Altar of Zeus,
Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which was surpassed
only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon
was a famous health-centre where methods of treatment included blood transfusions,
music therapy and meditation. Leaving Pergamon behind us we proceed to
our hotel in Izmir. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4
Izmir (Sardis)
We leave in the morning for Sardis which holds a prominent place in mythology
(King Candaules, Gyges and the Queen). Sardis felt the influence of the
Seven Churches of Revelation. Highlights will be the 3rd century A. D.
Synagogue, Gymnasium, House of Bronzes, Temple of Artemis, and of course
the Church. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphis which was an important
Christian centre during the Byzantine times. The city needs to be excavated
more but we will see a basilica and several interesting mosques. Back
to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5
Pamukkale (Aphrodisias - Laodicea)
Our first stop will be Aphrodisias, a site presently under excavation.
It is amazing how well preserved the sites and artifacts of Aphrodisias
are. The highlights will include the Stadium, the Baths of Hadrian, the
Theater and the "Bishop's Palace". We continue to Laodicea Ad
Lycum where the remains are found on a flat-topped hill. Christianity
came to the area during the time of St. Paul, brought by Ephesus of Colossae.
Laodicea became the seat of bishopric and hosted an important Ecumenical
Council in the fourth century A.D. In addition, it was named in Relevations
as one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Highlights will be Nymphaeum,
the Amphitheater and the Council Chamber. Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6
Izmir / Kusadasi (Ephesus)
Leaving Pamukkale behind us we drive over to Kusadasi and visit Ephesus,
where another one of the Seven Churches is situated. Moving into the city
proper, one is dazzled by the beauty and grace of this ancient centre
of religion and culture that was important both in pagan and Christian
periods. Here is the Basilica of St. John "the Evangelist",
who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. Highlights will
be Church of the Virgin Mary, the Arcadian Way, the elegant Library of
Celsius and the Theater. We will also pay a visit to the House of Virgin
Mary close by where you can collect some Holy Water from the Sacred Spring.
She is believed to have spent her last years and died here. Dinner and
overnight at Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7
Kusadasi - Izmir- Istanbul
We leave Kusadasi/Izmir in the morning after a city tour of Izmir and
a glimpse of one of the Churches of Revelation. Connecting our flight
to Istanbul we check into our hotel in Istanbul for the night. (Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner)
Day 8
Istanbul
Transfer to international airport for return flight.
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