9 Days/8 Nights Biblical Tour of Turkey

Información

A comprehensive tour of north western and western Turkey, with a particular interest in the important Biblical sites as well as other places of interest in Istanbul and the legendary city of Troy.

Day 1: arrival day.
Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk airport, meet your guide and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul (breakfast included).
Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. We visit St. Sofia, the (church of the sacred wisdom), converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. We see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt. Then our next visit is the Blue Mosque with its six minarets. Afternoon We will visit the Topkapi Palace which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its fabulous treasure chambers. Continue with the Grand Covered Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Istanbul (breakfast included).
Morning private Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, sailing along this important waterway which divides the continents of Asia and Europe. This is followed by a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Market where you have free time to enjoy the aromatic herbs and spices and a break for lunch before returning to the hotel. Free time in the evening and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Istanbul, Troy and Canakkale (breakfast and dinner included).
After breakfast we depart for Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey crossing the Dardanelles Strait by ferry - boat. Lunch en route. Visit ancient Troy, see the legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Drive to Canakkale, that lends its name to the Straits of the Dardanelles (in antiquity it was called Hellespont) and faces the WW! battlefields of Gallipoli. Check in at the hotel followed by dinner. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 5: Pergamon, Thyatira and Izmir (breakfast and dinner included).
After breakfast at our hotel in Canakkale, we drive to Pergamon, one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepieion, famous medical centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which is once said to have held over 200, 000 volumes of books. We also visit the Red Basilica (St. Johns Church). Buffet lunch is provided at a local restaurant. Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18 - 24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira. Before we check in at the hotel in Izmir, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12 - 17]. We ascend to Mount Pagus where we visit the Citadel of Lysimachos, commander of Alexander the Great, erected in the 4th century BC. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Izmir.



Meeting/pick-up point: Istanbul Airport.
Duration: 9 days.
Start/opening time: According to the clients flight time. Each day tour starts approximately at 8:30am.
End/closing time: According to the clients flight time. Approximately at 5pm.
Languages: Private tour: English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and English. Shared tour: English.
Others: Included: arrival and return airport transfers in Istanbul, 3 nights hotel in Istanbul, 1 nightin 5* hotel in Canakkale, 1 night in 5* hotel in Izmir, 1 night in 5* hotel in Pamukkale, 2 nights in 5* hotel in Kusadasi, 8 open buffet breakfasts, 5 dinners, guided tours as mentioned in the itinerary, all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary, transportation in a fully air - conditioned and non - smoking coach, domestic flight from Izmir to istanbul Ataturk airport. Not included: international flights, all types of insurance, Turkey entry visa, items of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks or laundry, any others expenses which are not mentioned at the “included” section.
Arrivals and departures from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport incur an extra charge.