St Paul’s journeys across Asia and into Europe are continued in order here with our pilgrimage offerings to Turkey. After his return form Greece, Paul set out again straight away, this time through Asia. Turkey features strongly in the development of the early church, for it was here we see the first churches planted and visited by St Paul on his missionary journeys: Ephesus (Selçuk), Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamum, Sardis (Sart), Philadelphia, Thyatira and Laodicea.
The Seven Churches of Asia form a strong theme around which an exciting tour can be woven.
Breathtaking scenery, beautiful coastlines and amazingly preserved classical sites are all contained in one tour.
Our 7 and 9 day pilgrimage options offer wonderful itineraries to enjoy. Departures are available daily, subject to flight availability. Please call or email us for more details.
| Seven Churches of Asia - 7 Day Pilgrimage |  | |
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| | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | | Day 1 | Fly from the UK to Istanbul, taking a connecting flight to Izmir. | | Day 2 | Visit the ruins of the Velvet Fortress and the Ancient Agora of Smyrna, and visit the Church of Saint Polycarp. Drive north to visit the city of Pergamum - towering above the modern city of Bergama. | | Day 3 | Drive to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches before continuing to Sardis to see the Temple of Artemis, a Roman gymnasium and mosaics in the synagogue. From here travel to the site of Philadelphia and then to Pamukkale. | | Day 4 | Visit spectacular Pamukkale, with its calcium pools and the spa of hot mineral water. Visit the nearby necropolis at Hierapolis, and then drive to the site of Laodicea, situated on a plateau 100 feet above the Meander Valley, before heading for the coast. | | Day 5 | Visit one of the most extensive and impressive archaeological sites in the world at Ephesus. St Paul lived here. Travel to Selcuk to see the church and burial chamber of St John and the traditional House of the Virgin Mary. | | Day 6 | A day of leisure in Kusadasi which has an interesting harbour overlooked by a fortress. | | Day 7 | Depart for Izmir airport for the return flight via Istanbul to the UK. |
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| *Subject to availability. |
An exciting tour to Turkey provides an opportunity to include a stop in Istanbul, to savour the richness and grandeur of this magnificent city, set at the gateway between Europe and Asia. The names Byzantium, Constantinople and Istanbul hint at the great significance that this city holds in history.
| Seven Churches of Asia (featuring Istanbul) - 9 Day Pilgrimage | | |
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| | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | | Day 1 | Fly to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight. | | Day 2 | Visit spectacular Hagia Sophia, the underground Justinian Cistern and the Blue Mosque. We finish at the magnificent Topkapi palace, with many beautiful buildings and thousands of treasures. | Overnight in Istanbul. | | Day 3 | Travel to the Church of St Saviour at Chora with its stunning mosaics and frescoes. Then to the Grand Bazaar, the oldest covered market in the world, followed by the Egyptian Spice Market, full of tantalising aromas. In the afternoon fly to Izmir. | Overnight in Izmir. | | Day 4 | Visit the ruins of the Velvet Fortress and the Ancient Agora of Smyrna, and visit the Church of Saint Polycarp. Drive north to visit the city of Pergamum - towering above the modern city of Bergama. | Overnight in Bergama. | | Day 5 | Drive to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches before continuing to Sardis where we see the Temple of Artemis, a Roman gymnasium and mosaics in the synagogue. Travel to the site of Philadelphia and then to Pamukkale. | Overnight in Pamukkale. | | Day 6 | Visit spectacular Pamukkale, with its calcium pools and the spa of hot mineral water. Visit the nearby necropolis at Hierapolis, and then drive to the site of Laodicea, situated on a plateau 100 feet above the Meander Valley, before heading for the coast. | Overnight in Kusadasi. | | Day 7 | Visit one of the most extensive and impressive archaeological sites in the world at Ephesus. St Paul lived here. Travel to Selcuk to see the church and burial chamber of St John and the traditional House of the Virgin Mary. | Overnight in Kusadasi. | | Day 8 | A day of leisure in Kusadasi which has an interesting harbour overlooked by a fortress. | Overnight in Kusadasi. | | Day 9 | Depart for Izmir airport for the return flight via Istanbul to the UK. |
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| *Subject to availability. |