Seven Churches of Revelation compact – 3 days from Istanbul

For everyone who wants to see the Seven Churches but does not have a whole week. We fly in the morning from Istanbul to Izmir and travel from church to church over three days – in the order in which the messenger carried the letters of Revelation. At each site we read the letter on request and ask what it meant then. On the third evening you fly back from Denizli to Istanbul.

Highlights

• All seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 in three days
• Flight Istanbul – Izmir, return Denizli – Istanbul (no road travelled twice)
• Ephesus: the church that left its first love (Rev 2:1–7)
• Smyrna and Philadelphia: the two churches without reproach
• Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea with their warnings
• Two nights in a 4-star hotel, guide and vehicle on all three days

Full description

The seven churches lay on a circular road of the Roman province of Asia; a messenger could deliver the letters of Revelation in this order. On day one we walk through Ephesus, capital of the province, and the agora of Smyrna, today's Izmir, where Bishop Polycarp was martyred – the church told: "Be faithful unto death" (Rev 2:10).

On day two we climb the acropolis of Pergamon, "where Satan's throne is", visit the colonnaded street of Thyatira (Akhisar) – city of Lydia, the dealer in purple (Acts 16:14) – and the great synagogue and Temple of Artemis at Sardis. Day three brings Philadelphia with the piers of the Church of St John and Laodicea, the "lukewarm" church, before we head to Denizli airport.

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, two hotel nights, vehicle, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price. If you have more time, see the full 8-day journey at "Reisen mit PASSION".

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Day 1 · Flight Istanbul – Izmir
  Morning pick-up at your hotel, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Izmir (ADB).
• 2 · Day 1 · Ephesus and Smyrna
  Ephesus with theatre and Curetes Street (Rev 2:1–7); agora of Smyrna in Izmir (Rev 2:8–11). Hotel in Izmir.
• 3 · Day 2 · Pergamon
  Acropolis with altar terrace and Trajaneum, Red Basilica (Rev 2:12–17).
• 4 · Day 2 · Thyatira and Sardis
  Colonnaded street in Akhisar (Rev 2:18–29); gymnasium, synagogue and Temple of Artemis at Sardis (Rev 3:1–6). Hotel near Sardis or Alaşehir.
• 5 · Day 3 · Philadelphia and Laodicea
  Piers of the Church of St John in Alaşehir (Rev 3:7–13); church, colonnaded street and theatre of Laodicea (Rev 3:14–22).
• 6 · Day 3 · Flight back from Denizli
  Drive to Denizli airport (DNZ), evening flight, in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Days 2 and 3 as separate tours: guide and vehicle with driver (long distances)
• Flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Izmir (ADB) and return flight Denizli (DNZ) – Istanbul
• 2 nights in 4-star hotels (Izmir and the Sardis/Alaşehir area)
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from Izmir airport (ADB) for day 1
• Planning, coordination and time management of all three days

Not included

• Entrance fees (Ephesus, Agora of Smyrna, Pergamon, Sardis, Laodicea and others)
• Lunch and dinner, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up at your hotel in Istanbul on the morning of day 1 and bring you back there on the evening of day 3. Outbound flight from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to Izmir, return flight from Denizli (DNZ).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• Rooms – Two adults share a double room; with an odd number or on request there are single rooms. Children sleep in their parents' room at no extra charge.
• Full programme – Three long days with about 650 km of driving; for groups with more time we recommend the 8-day journey based in Kuşadası.
• MuseumPass Aegean – Valid among others for Ephesus and Pergamon. Can be added in the booking form; paid in full with the deposit and non-refundable. Children under 8 do not need a pass.
• For churches and Bible groups – We are happy to plan devotions or readings at the sites – please note it under "Your wishes".