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ARRIVAL in IZMIR
Upon your arrival in Izmir you will be
transffered to your hotel. Spend the day for free. Izmir is a
metropolitan city in the western extremity of Anatolia and the third
most populous city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara. |
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In classical antiquity the city was known as
Smyrna that was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt
by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the
15th century. Izmir has almost 4,000 years of recorded urban history and
even longer as an advanced human settlement. Lying on an advantageous
location at the head of a gulf running down in a deep indentation, midway on
the western Anatolian coast, it has been one of the principal mercantile
cities of the Mediterranean Sea for much of its history. Izmir hosted the
Mediterranean Games in 1971 and the World University Games (Universiade) in
2005. |
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SARDIS - PHILADELPHIA - PAMUKKALE
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir. En route to Pamukkale you will visit the sites of the churches;
Sardis and Philadelphia.
Depart for the visit of
Sardis,
one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, "I know
thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead"(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool |
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originated in Sardis. They will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue. Then visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them "the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem." (Rev.3: 12). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. |
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3 |
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HIERAPOLIS - LAODICEA - KUSADASI
After the breakfast at the hotel, depart for the visit of Hierapolis; an ancient city of pagan cults, Hierapolis or "holy city" was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip lived and is said to be buried here. Pamukkale, or "cotton castle" is a spa and resort center with its hot springs and cascading limestone pools. |
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Col. 4:12-13. Continue to Laodicea; The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, (Rev. 3: 14-22) were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock...". Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Drive to Kusadasi, dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. |
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4 |
PRIVATE CRUISE TO PATMOS
Today you will be picked up from your
hotel to be transferred to Kusadasi Port to take our private charter
service to Patmos. You will depart for the tour upon your arrival.
The Sacred Island of Patmos lies at the northwestern extremity of
the Dodecanese between the islands of Ikaria and Leros. |
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An and of rare beauty captivating the visitor at
first glance, with its picturesque harbor dominated by the imposing
Monastery of St. John standing on the hill above. Leaving Skala Harbor, you
take a drive to the impressive village of Chora. The Monastery of St. John
is situated amongst gleaming white houses forming a startling contrast to
its dark mass. The Blessed Christodoulos, Servant of Christ, built the
Monastery in 1088.It has thick, high walls crowned all around with battles
and a total of eight chapels. |
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The courtyard is laid with pebbles and decorated
with arches through which one can see the intricately designed frescoes
adorning the chapel entrance. The museum houses a magnificent collection of
jeweled alices, crowns and crosses. In addition, there are old writings
dating back as far as 1073, icons and religious paintings including an
original El Greco. |
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Many exhibits from the library, which
unfortunately is not open to the public, can also be viewed in the museum.
The tour then continues with a visit to the Grotto of St. John taking the
form of a 17th century Monastery built around the cave where St. John lived
for two years (95-97AD) during his writings of the Apocalypse. Inside on can
see the stone which he is said to have used as a pillow. After this
memorable tour, you will embark the coach for the short ride back to the
port. (Photos or video are not permitted within the churches and the
Monastery Museum). You will take our private charter service to Kusadasi for
overnight. |
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| Day
5 |
EPHESUS - SMYRNA (IZMIR)
Full day tour of
Ephesus; Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation
(Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of
250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. The
St. Paul's first visit to
Ephesus was brief - during his second missionary tour (Acts
18:19-21). His second visit lasted about three years - during his
third |
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missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke's
account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35. The Great Theatre
(stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the
marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of
Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. |
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Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. Then continue to The House of Virgin Mary where she spent her lasy days. They will visit the Basilica of St. John; early tradition associated John, the disciple of Jesus, the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation with the city of Ephesus. |
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As early as the 4th or 5th century a Christian church was built over a simple grave, supposedly the grave of St. John. In the 6th century Emperor Justinian had an impressive domed basilica built to replace the earlier church. The church, known as the Church of St. John the Theologian, is located on Ayasuluk Hill, which can be reached by a street leading up from the center of the town called Selcuk. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. |
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| Day 6 |
THYATIRA - PERGAMUM -
ALEXANDRIA TROAS
Depart for the visit of Thyatira; was once a busy trading center and famous in dyeing of purple clothes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). Continue to Pergamum ; a most memorable experience will be Pergamum, with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of |
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the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as "where Satan's seat is", a reference to the altar of Zeus, where we pause for reflection on the fulfillment of Scripture. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk through the Asclepion, the famous medical center of antiquity. Continue
your tour with the visit of Alexandria Troas, here, on his second missionary
journey, Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:
8-13). Later, during his third journey, Paul spent a week in Troas
preaching. On one occasion he also resurrected Eutychus who fell to his
death from a window while sleeping (Acts 20:6-12).Continue to Canakkale for
dinner and overnight. |
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Day 7 |
ISTANBUL
After breakfast you will depart to Istanbul to
take your flight home. |
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40 pax |
548$ pp in dbl room - 504$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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35 pax |
570$ pp in dbl room - 526$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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30 pax |
601$ pp in dbl room - 557$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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25 pax |
647$ pp in dbl room - 603$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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20 pax |
637$ pp in dbl room - 593$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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15 pax |
755$ pp in dbl room - 711$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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10 pax |
892$ pp in dbl room - 848$ third person in dbl
room - 90$ single supp. |
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17th -
18th September 2017 - Blanca Hotel in Izmir |
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18th -
19th September 2017 - Colossae Hotel in Pamukkale |
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19th -
21st September 2017 - Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel in Kusadasi |
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21st -
22nd September 2017 - Blanca Hotel in Izmir |
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22nd -
23rd September 2017 - Akol Hotel in Canakkale |
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Professional English speaking Biblical oriented licensed guide
throughout the tour |
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Private air-conditioned transportation |
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Accommodation on h/b basis |
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Round trip Private charter boat service from Kusadasi to Patmos |
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Port taxes of both Kusadasi and Patmos Ports |
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Lunch in Patmos |
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Entrance fees of the sites and museum as per the itinerary |
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Portage |
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