Day 1 – ISTANBUL / NICEA / BURSA

Upon arrival at Istanbul in the morning, meet at the airport
and we drive to embark ferry boat to Yalova. Drive to Iznik,
formerly known as Nicea. The city was founded around 1000
BC. In 325 AD, the First Ecumenical Council was held here
for the purpose of condemning the heresy of Arianism. The
Seventh Ecumenical Council was also held here in the St
Sophia Church, which we will visit. The church was built in
the 4th century and has a mosaic floor which dates to the
6th century. All gates and walls date from the Byzantine
times. Later we proceed to Bursa for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 – BURSA / THYATIRA / SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA /
PAMUKKALE
After breakfast drive to Pamukkale. We will stop by Thyteria
to see the remains of the church. This was one of the principle
towns where Christianity spread quickly. Then we will drive
to Sardis whose history dates back to 12th century B.C.
Sardis felt the influence of Christianity very early and was
included in the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. During
the Byzantine times it was the seat of a bishopric. Highlights
will be a Synagogue, Gymnasium, Byzantine Church and
the Temple of Artemis. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia
which was an important Christian centre during Byzantine
times. We will see the ruins of the Basilica. Dinner and
overnight in Pamukkale. (B/L/D)

Day 3 – PAMUKKALE / HIERAPOLIS / LAODICEA /
KUSADASI

In the morning we visit Hierapolis, which was founded by
Pergamon King Telephus and named after his wife, Hiera.
During the Byzantine period, the city became the seat of
diocese with a large Christian Church dedicated to St Philip,
who was martyred there in 80 AD. Highlights include the
Roman Baths, , the Theatre and the famous white calcium
cascades of Pamukkale (the white “Cotton Castles”). Then
we will visit Laodicea, where we will find a Theatre, a large
Stadium, a Water Tower and an Odeon. This city is supposed
to have been named by Antiochus II in honour of his wife,
Laodicea. Thereafter, we proceed to Kusadasi. Dinner and
overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 4 – KUSADASI / EPHESUS / KUSADASI

Then drive to Selcuk town, we will visit the famous ancient
city of Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological
sites. Our tour will begin with the Basilica of St John “the
Evangelist” who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote
his Gospel in Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of
Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and
the Theatre. We will also stop by the House of Virgin Mary
(on top of Mt Coressos). She was believed to have spent her
last years in this area. On 18 August 1961, Pope John XXII
proclaimed this place to be sacred. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5 – KUSADASI / IZMIR / PERGAMON / AYVALIK

After breakfast drive to Izmir and visit Church of Smyra.
Then we drive to the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon.
Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from
399 B.C., 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. Thereafter, we proceed to Ayvalik. Dinner and
overnight in Ayvalik

Day 6 – AYVALIK / ASSOS / TROY / CANAKKALE /
ISTANBUL

We leave this morning for Troas and Assos. Troas was a busy
port situated on the north-west coast of Asia Minor. During
his stay in Troas, St. Paul had a dream in which he saw a vision
of a man asking him to “come over to Macedonia and help us”
after which he decided to go to Europe. Assos perched high
on a cliff overlooking the Aegean and the Island of Lesbos is
breathtaking. Its Acropolis carries the impressive Temple of
Athena. Arriving at Assos on foot from Troas, St. Paul preached
here and climbed down to the little port on the shore to board
the boat on his return journey to Jerusalem. Then we proceed
to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Trojan
Horse. Drive to Istanbul for overnight.

Day 7 – ISTANBUL

After breakfast we drive to the ‘Old City’. Our first stop is the
Hippodrome of Constantinople, the centre of Byzantine
civic life, where horse and chariot races used to take place.
We then travel towards the Blue Mosque, known for the
impressive blue tiles lining its walls. The Basilica of Haggia
Sophia (Divine Wisdom), now called the Ayasofya Museum,
is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built
by Constantine the Great, it was reconstructed by Justinian
in the 6th century. Last stop at Spice Bazaar, where the
smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme rise from hundreds
of colourful muslin bags at every store-front. Dinner and
overnight in Istanbul.

Day 8 – ISTANBUL Departure

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. Than embark
the Bosphorus Cruise Boat. A scenic journey along the
Bosphorus between two continents, Asia and Europe.
Lunch at a sea food restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit
the famous Topkapi Palace, which was home to the sultans
between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is now a museum
exhibiting imperial collections of crystal, silver, Chinese
porcelain and imperial costumes. Then transfer to the airport
for International flight.