BIBLICAL TOUR (AEGEAN)

6 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS


DAY  1   ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL
Upon arrival we tour Istanbul, visiting the spectacular Blue Mosque, the 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets.  After leaving your shoes at the door, step inside to see the brightly-colored interior decorated with at least 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles and stained-glass windows.  We stroll around the historical Hippodrome, where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman period.  We will see the great St. Sophia, the headquarters church of the Byzantine empire and the largest building at that time, later converted into a mosque and now a museum famous for its mosaics.  Nearby we see the Basilica Cistern, one of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meal Plan : Dinner ( Hotel )

DAY 2    ISTANBUL
Today we have a half day cruise on the Bosphorus, a 20-mile natural waterway that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean.  The Golden Horn is a small inlet of the Bosphorus  that creates Istanbul’s harbor.  During the cruise we enjoy the views of the old wooden villas, marble palaces, and ancient fortresses.  This afternoon we go to the unforgettable Grand Bazaar, a market of over 3,000 tiny shops.  Enjoy free time to shop for items such as jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, and spices, and try your hand at bargaining with the local merchants.  Later we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
 Meal Plan : Breakfast, Dinner ( Hotel )

DAY 3    TROAS/CANAKKALE
Today we depart Istanbul and drive to Troas where Paul saw a vision calling him to come over into Macedonia.  Paul later established a church at Troas and also restored the young man Eutychus to life there. .  We check in to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Dinner ( Hotel )

DAY 4    PERGAMUM / SARDIS / KUSADASI
Today we visit Pergamum, including the parchment library that contained over 200,000 volumes, the site of the famous altar to Zeus, and the amphitheater, which is the steepest ever built.  Next we travel to Sardis, set upon a steep hill surrounded by an impregnable citadel and one of the most picturesque areas of the Seven Churches.  We will visit its famous third-century Jewish synagogue, the largest synagogue ever excavated, with a seating capacity of a thousand persons. Other highlights include the Gymnasium, House of Bronzes, Temple of Artemis, and the ancient Church.  We continue to Kusadasi, near ancient Ephesus, for dinner and overnight  at the Hotel.
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Dinner ( Hotel )

DAY 5    PATMOS / KUSADASI
Today we have a full-day excursion by charter boat to the former Roman prison island of Patmos where John received his “Revelation,” visiting the Grotto named for his book and the Monastery of St. John which houses ancient manuscripts including an early one of the Gospel.  Time permitting, enjoy some free time in Skala (the capital of the island of Patmos), to explore on your own and shop for items such as ceramics, small sculptures and hand-woven fabrics with traditional designs.  Then we return by boat to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Dinner ( Hotel )

DAY 6    MILETUS / EPHESUS / IZMIR
Early this morning we go to Miletus, where the Apostle Paul met with the elders of the church of Ephesus near the close of his third missionary journey.  Then we proceed to Ephesus where Paul spent two years and which had become the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia by the time John wrote the Book of Revelation to the churches there.  We walk through history in a city founded as early as the 10th century B.C. In the magnificent excavations we see streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Basilica of St. John and the great Theatre where the Ephesians screamed against Paul. This afternoon we continue to Izmir (biblical Smyrna) where we visit the ancient Agora and the Church of St. Polycarp, who was Smyrna’s first bishop.  Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Dinner ( Hotel )

 DAY 7   IZMIR  /……………
After Breakfast, Transfer to International Izmir Airport and flight back to our country.
Meal Plan : Breakfast only

HOTELS :
ISTANBUL ZURICH HOTEL                                   www.hotelzurichistanbul.com
CANAKKALE AKOL HOTEL                                   www.hotelakol.com
EFE BOUTIQUE HOTEL                                           www.efeboutiquehotel.com
RAMADA PLAZA IZMIR HOTEL                          www.ramadaplazaizmir.com
( All Hotels are subject to availibilirty )

INCLUDES :
2 nights accommodation in Istanbul H/B
1 night accommodation in Canakkale H/B
2 night accommodation in Kusadasi  H/B
1 night accommodation in Izmir H/B
All Transportaion with a/c Luxery Bus
Entrance fees mentioned on the program
Professional English Speaking guide

EXCLUDES ;
all domestic flight tickets
lunches
personal expences
drinks ate the meals
MEAL PREFERENCE;
Breakfast Local and International Foods, at the hotel, Hot Buffet
Dinner Local and International Foods, at the hotel, Hot Buffet
Drinks are NOT included

Kanon Tours

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