Compare Luxury Seven Churches of Revelation and Istanbul Tours by Ada Vegas Travel vs Turkey Highlights by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Izmir.

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Izmir, your local guide will take you to your hotel. An afternoon tour of Izmir (old Smyrna) includes a visit to the Church of St. Polycarp. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 2: Izmir – Hierapolis (Pamukkale)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Depart for Sardes to visit the Church of Sardes. Continue to Alasehir, home to the ancient Philadelphia Church. Continue Pamukkale, famous for its lime cascade Roman spa.  Finish the day in the ancient city of Hierapolis where you see the martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 3: Hierapolis – Kusadasi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning, you visit the Churches of Laodicea and Colosea en route to Ephesus. Walk the streets of this excavated city where Apostle Paul ministered for 3 years and see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Diana. Also included are visits to the Thermal Baths and the Great Theatre. We stop at Aphrodisias before arriving at the beautiful harbor town of Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in the hotel overlooking the bay. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 4: Kusadasi – Ayvalik

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning, you visit Thyatira, the smallest of the seven churches, for a short visit and the proceed to Pergamum. Visit the Asclepion (ancient healing center), stroll through Acropolis and visit the Archaeological Museum before driving to the coastal city of Ayvalik. Overnight in Ayvalik.

Day 5: Ayvalik – Istanbul

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Drive along the coast to Alexandria Troas where Apostle Paul had a vision for taking the gospel to Europe. Visit Troy, site of the great Greek legend of the Trojan horse. Drive to Istanbul  with a stop at Bursa where Ecumenical Councils met. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 6: Istanbul

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

A morning city tour features including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome and a brief visit to the Topkapi Palace. Afternoon is free to explore the Grand Bazaar or Spice Market on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 7: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

You will be taken to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1 Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all once called home. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm, followed by a guided tour of the Old City with your expert leader. Visit the scene of many a chariot race in the ancient hippodrome, check out the Blue Mosque, take a walk past the wares of the Grand Bazaar and marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is Suleymaniye Cami. If you're not too exhausted after all the exploring, join your new friends for dinner and bask in the beauty of a real Turkish kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation that you may have come across at 2 am, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul.

Day 2 Canakkale

After breakfast this morning, hit the road enroute to Canakkale – a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. You’ll stop along the way to explore Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events and history embedded in this area. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and ANZAC commemorative Site. You’ll also take in the views across the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula. This evening, we’ll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 3 Selcuk

This morning, we’ll drive to Selcuk with a stop in Troy – where history and mythology sit side-by-side – along the way. You’ll wander the ancient city walls with your group leader and even get a chance to enjoy a photo op with a replica Trojan Horse. You’ll learn more about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists alike before continuing on to Selcuk. After arrival in the town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll follow your leader on an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress.Then drive out to the nearby picturesque village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture nestled in the hills make for a photographer's dream. Return to Selcuk and the evening is yours.

Day 4 Ephesus/Overnight Train

This morning, take a private minivan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Once the capital city of Roman Asia Minor, the city has a fascinating history, which really comes alive with a local guide to enhance your experience. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it's perhaps the magnificent library that is the most striking. Then enjoy a lunch after the tour and don't miss out the chance of peeking into their kitchen where the local ladies make the delicious gozleme. You'll some free time later before being transferred to Izmir in the early evening - an overnight train, will be waiting to transport you through the night to the central Anatolian city of Konya.

Day 5 Konya / Cappadocia

Wake up in Konya, a traditional Turkish city that's closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Celaleddin Rumi, considered one of Islam's greatest Sufi mystics. Visit the Mevlana Museum and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Keep an eye out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmarks of Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains. Stop enroute at one of the underground cities that once provided a safe haven in times of war or persecution. Arrive in the Cappadocian town of Ugrup in the late afternoon and take a sunset valley walk before settling in for the evening. This evening, you'll be treated to a stay in a local cave hotel that Cappadocia is famous for here.

Day 6 Cappadocia

This morning you have the option to take a hot air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which the sun illuminates a skyline dotted with balloons. Later this morning, enjoy a guided walk through one of the nearby valleys, possibly the Valley of Love, which features fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and churches. Your leader will know a number of fantastic scenic routes, and a good walk is by far the best way to experience this unique environment. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the soft cliff face, or check out the Dark Church. This evening you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local cave home where the family will prepare a special home-cooked dinner for you and your group. Sit down to a feast made with passion, enjoy a friendly chat with your affable host and perhaps top off the night with some Turkish delight.

Day 7 Cappadocia to Istanbul

Wave goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm), and get transferred to your hotel. Meet up with your travel buds in the evening and take a stroll to one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, a place of contradictions where tool-selling tradesman share space with chic cafes and galleries – this is the place to be seen. Perhaps, try a local favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich), for dinner, then cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few of the bars, or simply enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.

Day 8 Istanbul

Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast today, and there are no activities planned. However, if you'd like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).