The 7 Letters – Places of Revelation / 8 days:. - MeinReiseleiter.de

The places of the Seven Letters of Revelation - 8 days:.

Library of Celsus, Ephesus, Selçuk, Turkey

General:

A journey to the "places of the Seven Letters of John's Revelation" on which we will follow in the footsteps of early Christianity: 1) Ephesus, 2) Laodicea, 3) Pergamum, 4) Philadelphia, 5) Sardis, 6) Smyrna, 7) Thyatira

Day 1: Flight from your home airport - Antalya. Hoş geldiniz!

Welcome at the airport by your qualified, knowledgeable and local tour guide from "PASSION" Reisen /Turkey.
Transfer to the hotel in the Antalya area.
Over a welcome cocktail your tour guide gives you an overview of the details of the itinerary.
We wish you God's blessing for the entire course of your journey!

Dinner and overnight stay in/near Antalya.

Day's distance approx. 20 km

Day 2: Antalya - Aphrodisias - Kuşadası

On our drive across the Taurus Mountains towards Kuşadası/ Izmir we visit on the way one of the most beautiful ancient cities of Anatolia: Aphrodisias (Greek Ἀφροδισιάς). Although the origins of the city go back to the 3rd millennium BC, it only received its name in the Hellenistic period in the 3rd century BC.

The Tetrapylon of Sardis

Earlier names were Lelegonopolis, Megalopolis and Ninoe. In addition to the excavation site with the Temple of Aphrodite, Tetrapylon, Odeon, Bishop's Palace, Agora, Theatre, Baths of Hadrian, Sebasteion and Stadium, a visit to the museum is highly recommended. The new section with the reliefs of the Sebasteion is of particular interest. Another highlight of the trip is seeing the oldest galloping horse made of blue-grey marble, well known among experts.
Dinner and overnight stay in/near Kuşadası (Scala Nova).

Day's distance approx. 405 km

The Stadium of Sardis

Day 3: Selçuk - Ephesus - Church of Mary - Basilica of St. John - Şirince

Today we drive along the picturesque coastal road to Selçuk, where we will visit the most important excavation site on the Aegean coast, Ephesus (Greek Ἔφεσος, Hittite probably Apaša, Latin Ephesus, Acts 18;19;21;24, 19;1;2;17;26;35, 20;16;17/ 1 Cor 15;321, 1 Cor 16;8/ Eph 1;1, 1 Tim 1;3, 2 Tim 1;18, 4;12, Rev 1;11, 2;1). This historic centre is in a very well-preserved condition and thus makes it very easy to imagine life in antiquity. On the marble-paved streets we come to the theatre, temple complexes, agoras, the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. The Church of Mary in particular gained great importance through the Third Ecumenical Council held here in AD 431.

Temple of Hadrian in Ephesus

We then drive to the Tomb of St. John and the Basilica of St. John.
We also visit the site where one of the Seven Wonders of the World stood. To this day the dimensions of the Temple of Artemis can still be recognised from its foundations, which are impressive witnesses of the past. Finally, you visit the old Greek village of Şirince - an idyllic mountain village.
Dinner and overnight stay in/near Kuşadası.

Day's distance approx. 50 km

Şirince - an idyllic mountain village

Day 4: Izmir - Smyrna - Bergama (Pergamum) - Asclepion - Ayvalık

We continue to Bergama (Pergamum; Rev 1;11, 2;12), where we will visit the city's historic acropolis with the Temple of Trajan, the steepest theatre of the Hellenistic era, the foundations of the Temple of Athena, the royal palaces, the libraries and the Altar of Zeus.

Taking the cable car up to the acropolis, we pass the Red Hall and then reach the Asclepion, one of the best-known healing and spa sites of Roman times. Finally, drive to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay in/near Ayvalık.

Day's distance approx. 260 km

Altar of Zeus from Pergamum - Berlin Museum

Day 5: Thyatira - Sardis - Temple of Artemis - Philadelphia - Hierapolis - Pamukkale - thermal springs

In the morning we drive towards Akhisar (Thyatira; Acts 16,14, Rev 1;11, 2;18, 2;24) and visit a basilica from the 5th or 6th century on the site of the former agora as well as remains of colonnaded streets and arcades from the 4th century.
The journey then leads through the fertile valleys to Sardis (Greek Σάρδεις Sardeis, also Σάρδις Sardis; today Turkish Sart: Rev 1;11, 3;1;4).
Unique to this ancient city are the restored synagogue and the gymnasium as well as the Temple of Artemis.

Synagogue and altar in Sardis

We drive to Philadelphia (or Philadelpheia, Greek Φιλαδελφία or Φιλαδελφεῖα: Rev 1;11, 3;7), from where we reach Pamukkale.
This unique natural wonder with its shining white sinter terraces lies right next to the ancient spa town of Hierapolis (Greek Ἱεράπολις "Holy City", occasionally also Hieropolis, Col 4.13), where we also visit the so-called Martyrium of the Apostle Philip.
We stay overnight in a thermal hotel, where you have the opportunity to enjoy the healing power of the approx. 36 ºC warm thermal spring water yourself.

Dinner and overnight stay in the thermal hotel near Pamukkale.

Day's distance approx. 205 km

Basilica of St. John in Philadelphia (Alaşehir)

Day 6: Laodicea - Taurus Mountains - Antalya

Our day begins with a visit to the ancient city of Laodicea (Greek Λαοδίκεια πρὸς τῷ Λν́κῶ; Latin Laodicea ad Lycum; Ottoman Lâdik, in German also Laodicea: Col 2;1, 4;13;15;16 Rev 1;11, 3;14), from where we then drive up into the Taurus Mountains. Here on

The art and culture of carpets

Onward journey across the Taurus Mountains, through beautiful forests and over high passes to Antalya.

Dinner and overnight stay in Antalya

Day's distance approx. 260 km

Mountain goats in the Taurus Mountains

Day 7: Perge - Karpuzkaldıran (Düden) Waterfalls - Antalya city tour

Setting out from Antalya, the Apostle Paul's first place of preaching in Asia Minor, we start our excursion to the best-known city of Pamphylia: Perge (Greek Πέργη, Hittite Parcha/Parha: Acts 13,13-14, Acts 14,25). Here we have the opportunity to visit the theatre, the stadium and the colonnaded street. Our route then takes us out into nature to the famous Karpuzkaldıran Waterfalls, where we have the chance to relax and unwind.

Karpuzkaldıran Waterfall, Antalya

Finally, we drive to the ancient harbour of Antalya and can enjoy the "ÇAY" (chai) with "KEYIF" (keyif)!

Dinner and overnight stay in/near Antalya

Day's distance approx. 45 km

Perge theatre, stadium, Antalya

Day 8: Today it is time to say goodbye... Güle güle!

Transfer to the airport. Flight Izmir - home airport.

Day's distance approx. 30 km

We hope you had an unforgettable journey

Programme changes:

Programme changes are a rare exception

Would you like a beach extension? Gladly!

If you wish, you can book a beach and relaxation extension anywhere in the Antalya region.

For example: the Aydın and Izmir area; Kuşadası, Çeşme, Seferihisar, Gümüldür, Foça, Pamucak, Didim, Ayvalık, Sarımsaklı, Bodrum, Marmaris, Sarıgerme, Davutlar etc. and much more.

We will organise the transfers there and back for you.

Dream beaches on the Turkish Riviera

• Please note that the actual course of the itinerary may change slightly due to differing opening hours (winter and summer, state visits etc.) of individual sights.
• Changes to the itinerary without any reduction in services are reserved.

Services included:

✦ No shopping stops: our promise

Visits to carpet, jewellery or leather businesses are expressly not part of this trip. Your time belongs to the biblical and historical sites and the content of your study tour, not to the sales rooms.

Only at the express request of the group or individual travellers do we organise such a visit separately and outside the programme. The shuttle or taxi is then paid for by the shop concerned.

Our advice: be careful with conspicuously cheap travel offers. They are often subsidised by commissions from sales visits – with compulsory shopping stops, sales pressure and often inflated prices. Never buy under time pressure, compare prices and ask for a receipt and a certificate of authenticity.

• Outbound flight: scheduled flight, home airport - with stopover in Istanbul - Antalya.
• Return flight: scheduled flight, Antalya - with stopover in Istanbul - home airport
• Travel insurance (insolvency certificate) in accordance with § 651 k BGB (German Civil Code).
• All airport and security fees (subject to changes in kerosene prices)
• Free baggage allowance 30 kg & 1 piece of hand luggage max. 8 kg (please note the safety instructions
• Welcome cocktail: (non-alcoholic)
• Admission fees: ALL as per programme (no hidden extra costs!)
• Parking fees, tolls etc...
• All transfers, excursions and tours in Turkey in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach of local standard as per programme.
• 7 overnight stays in 4- and 5-star hotels: shower/bath/WC. (local category)
• 7 x open buffet breakfast & dinner (continental is sometimes also served).
• Vegetarians, vegans and people with allergies have a wide choice at the buffet!
• Tour guide: a knowledgeable (state-licensed), committed and motivated local tour guide throughout the entire tour.
• Minimum number of participants: this offer is private. You decide how many people take part in your trip.

Services not included:

• Personal expenses
• Tips: tour guide, driver, porter, waiters etc.

Bookable locally:

• Full board: locally you can upgrade to full board; 6 x lunch for a surcharge of €60 per person.
• With the large selection, vegetarians have no problems with their diet
• Travel cancellation insurance from as little as €17: >>> book travel protection online