5 Days : Seven Churches of Asia Minor Tour Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis...

Upon our arrival at Izmir airport , our representative will meet you with your name sign and assist and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Izmir.

Pergamum

Drive to Pergamum, It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the Asklepieion, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the, Throne of Satan, in the book of Revelation.

Thyatira

Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, Before we check in at the hotel in Izmir, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. dinner and overnight. 

Sardis

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].

Philadelphia

After Sardes 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. 

Laodicea

Proceed to Laodicea [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13-16]. We see the ancient theater, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes.We visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis.

Hierapolis

We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, the white (cotton fortress) where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools.

Ancient City of Ephesus

Drive to Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionian League (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor.

House of Virgin Mary

The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there. 

St. John’s Basilica

After House of Virgin Mary, drive to St. John’s Basilica, it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill

Artemis Temple

We will stop at Artemis Temple where used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop before drive back to Kusadasi 

Gazibegendi Park

On our way back to Kusadasi we will drive through Gazibegendi Park. Arrival to our hotel and overnight in Kusadasi 

Pick up from hotel and private transfer to Izmir airport