The Seven Churches in the Footsteps of St. Paul
Istanbul | Çanakkale | Pergamum | Izmir | Ephesus | Pamukkale (9 Days)
Follow in the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle – see where he journeyed across Anatolia, including the original Churches of Revelation, magnificent Byzantine remains, and ancient Greek and Roman cities.
Highlights
- Experience the energetic city of Istanbul, a bridge between continents
- Tour the Sultanahmet district, the keeper of Istanbul’s ancient landmarks
- Visit the sites of the Seven Churches of Revelation
- Walk among the preserved ancient ruins at Ephesus and Pergamum
- Take a dip in the cotton-white pools and thermal springs of Pamukkale
- Travel the ancient route of Paul across Anatolia
- Optional Trip Addition: Discover the birthplace of Paul (Tarsus) and early Christianity (Antioch)
- Optional Trip Addition: Discover the Greek island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Istanbul and private transfer to your hotel in the Old City. | Istanbul |
| Day 2 | Full-day private tour including the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. | Istanbul |
| Day 3 | Full-day private tour including Topkapi Palace, Spice Market, and a Bosphorus boat ride. | Istanbul |
| Day 4 | Cross the Dardanelles Strait to Çanakkale, and visit the ruins of Alexandria Troas and the Troy Museum en route to your hotel in Çanakkale. | Çanakkale |
| Day5 | Visit ancient Pergamum and Akhisar (Church of Thyatira) en route to your hotel in Izmir. | Izmir |
| Day 6 | Morning walking tour of Izmir (Church of Smyrna). Visit Sart (Church of Sardis) and Alasehir (Church of Philadelphia) en route to your hotel in the area nearby Pamukkale. | Pamukkale |
| Day 7 | Morning tour of Denizli (Church of Laodicea), ancient Hierapolis and the thermal pools of Pamukkale. Visit ancient Aphrodisias en route to your hotel in the area nearby Ephesus. | Ephesus |
| Day 8 | Full-day private excursion to ancient Ephesus (Church of Ephesus), the Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John, including a farm-fresh lunch. | Ephesus |
| Day 9 | Private transfer to the airport for departure. | |
| Optional Pre-Trip Addition | ||
| Domestic flight to Hatay and private transfer to your hotel in Hatay/Antakya (ancient Antioch). Afternoon private tour, including the Church of St. Peter. | Antakya | |
| Full-day private excursion to Tarsus, Paul’s birthplace. | Antakya | |
| Optional Post-Trip Addition | ||
| Ferry from Kusadasi to the island of Patmos in Greece. Tour the island, including the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse. | Kusadasi | |
| Flight from Izmir to Istanbul for departure. |