← Back

Turkey

2026 Turkey Tour of the 7 Churches of Asia Minor Experience an 8-day spiritual journey through Turkey as you visit the historic Seven Churches of Revelation—Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Smyrna. Discover ancient biblical sites, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, and create lasting memories of faith, history, and culture.

2026 Turkey Tour of the 7 Churches of Asia Minor
Experience an 8-day spiritual journey through Turkey as you visit the historic Seven Churches of Revelation—Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Smyrna. Discover ancient biblical sites, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, and create lasting memories of faith, history, and culture.

Tour Itinerary

Departure from Nairobi for Istanbul. Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul
Airport. Connect with our flight to Izmir for check-in, dinner and overnight at 4*
Kordon Cankaya Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner at the Hotel

After breakfast we shall drive to Smyrna church in Izmir. Proceed to Pergamum, actually
called Bergama. It is 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 Asklepion, 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 was foremost in the world and was long a
rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was
estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.
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.
Drive back to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Izmir at 4*Kordon Cankaya Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel then check out. Today 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], Sardis,
presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC,
portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and
restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters
of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden»
river Pactolus.
Then 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. There
we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and
some 11th-century frescoes. Continue to visit Laodicea. The city established in the C3
BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on
the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to
distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches.
As a crossroads of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and
logistical position.
Check-in at hotel for dinner and overnight at 5* Hierapark Thermal Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive to Ephesus visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John.
The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church
also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still
continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.
Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among
them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the
Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the
ancient world, was built in this city. We visit Basilica of St. John. Drive to
Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi at 4* TNR Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast and check out of the hotel. Pick up from hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to
Istanbul. Arrive on time for lunch at a local restaurant then transfer to the port for Boat
trip on the Bosphorus, a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating
Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses,
and small fishing villages. Drive to the Hotel for dinner and overnight
4* Dosso Dossi Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel. Pick up from hotel and the journey begins in Istanbul, the only city
in the world situated on two continents. We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue
Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. We
shall visit the Underground cistern to cap the day. Drive to the Hotel at 4* Dosso Dossi
Hotel for overnight
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel. Free day for shopping at Laleli Market and the Famous
Malls in Istanbul. Transport to the Market and Malls & Lunch on your own
Overnight at 4* Dosso Dossi Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel then check out at 12 PM.
Free morning for shopping and relaxing.
Lunch on your own then at 3:00 PM transfer to Airport for your international flight
back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Turkey - Trip Details

Turkey

Tour Itinerary

Trip Information