Best of Turkey Tour
7 Churches of Asia Minor – Istanbul – Izmir – Kusadasi – Capadocia

October 6-16, 2024

     7 Nights / 8 Days

This special Turkey’s GROUP TOUR for Christians is highly in demand.
Visit sites of the 7 churches of Revelation and highlight of the touristic places in Turkey.
Space is available but early booking is recommended.

Grab the opportunity to experience this 7-day/8-night tours with Heavenly Tours’ Christian Tours to Turkey.

Join us on this fully escorted and special tour of Turkey rich in culture and biblical sites. We explore Turkey’s Seven Churches of Revelation where St Paul and John ministered. Visit all the interesting sites in Istanbul, fly to Izmir and visit Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodacea, Hierapolis, Pamukale, Ephasus, Kusadasi, House of Marry and fly to Cappadocia.

Our comprehensive budget tours will still see you accompanied by our highly experienced guides, include the top sites and 4-5 star hotels.

Deposit: R5,000 Due with registration
Final Payment: Due 10 weeks prior departure

Tour Features Include:

• Return flights from Johannesburg
• Domestic flights: Istanbul – Izmir – Cappadocia
• 7 nights hotels in Istanbul, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Cappadocia
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Meeting and assistance at Airports.
• Touring with English speaking guide, expert in Christianity sites and history
• Entrance fees to all sites

Departure – Sunday

Flight from ORT to Istanbul

Depart tonight from ORT Johannesburg on a flight to Israel.

1 Day 1 – Monday

Istanbul – Izmir – Izmir – Philadelphia – Pamukkale Traventines and pools

Today we depart early in the morning to 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 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.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. Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel.

Dinner & overnight – Pamukkale (B,D)

2 Day 2 – Tuesday

Pamukkale – Laodicea – Kusadasi

After breakfast Continue to visit to Laodicia at around 11.00 . The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position. Drive to Kusadasi. Free time in Kusadasi

Dinner & overnight – Kusadasi (B,D)

3 Day 3 – Wednesday

Pamukkale– Laodicea – Kusadasi

After breakfast Continue to visit to Laodicia at around 11.00 . The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position. Drive to Kusadasi. Free time in Kusadasi

Dinner & overnight – Kusadasi (B,D)

4 Day 4 – Thursday

Ephasus – Kusadasi

Today we visit Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. 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 still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. 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 Basilica of St. John. Visit The House of Virgin Mary before drive to Kusadasi. Stop at city center for some free time and shopping …..

Dinner & Overnight – Kusadasi (B,D)

5 Day 5 – Friday

Izmir – Istanbul – Cappadocia

After breakfast drive to Izmir airport for flight to Cappadocia. Kayseri airport either by direct or via Istanbul flight. First meeting with Cappadocia, visiting Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular and seen on advertisements. Then we head on to Pigeons Valley, Pigeons have been always important for cappadocian people. That’s why people carved some pigeon houses to keep them in certain places. You will see that the houses for the pigeons are like the houses for the people. Then we drive to the Uchisar Rock Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama. We end the day visiting Esentepe Windy Hill for panaromic view and taking photos..

Dinner & Overnight – Cappadocia (B,D)

6 Day 6 – Saturday

Cappadocia tour

Optional Hot air Balloon Experince. After breakfast take our second day Cappadocia tour. Drive to Devrent Valley, take a walk through this lunar landscape where different rock formations can be seen.. Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, we drive further to Avanos Town, which is famous with tile and pottery workshops. After lunch our next stop is Goreme Open Air Museum where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescos from various centuries decorating the walls of the churches. Then we descend into the center of the earth in the Kaymakli Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 others in Cappadocia. After the tour program drive to your hotel.

Dinner & Overnight – Cappadocia (B,D)

7 Day 7 – Sunday

Cappadocia – Istanbul

After breakfast, pick up from hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. Afternoon short visit to Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, . drive to our hotel

Dinner & Overnight – Istanbul (B,D)

8 Day 8 – Monday

Istanbul – Flight home

Check out the room at 12.00 and leave your luggage at the hotel. Free day in Istanbul. You may walk to Grand Bazaar on your own to explore the city on your own. Or Join an optional 4 hours tour to Spice Market and Boat trip on the bosphorus : A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. Transfer to Airport for a flight home following day 01:30AM.

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