The Seven Churches of Revelation

Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, you will be welcomed by our driver and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking guide. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Church of St. Polycarp in ancient Smyrna (modern-day Izmir).

After this visit, we will proceed to Pergamon – the city praised for its martyrdom and perseverance but criticized for tolerating false teachings (Revelation 2:12–17). You will explore the Acropolis, ancient Greek and Roman temples, and the impressive theater built on a steep hillside.

At the end of the day, you will return to Izmir for check-in and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will head to Thyatira – “praised for its faith and service but criticized for tolerating Jezebel, the immoral woman who called herself a prophetess” (Revelation 2:18–29).

Next, we visit Sardis – “described as a dead church that needs to wake up” (Revelation 3:1–6).

The day continues with a visit to ancient Philadelphia, known for its temples and vineyards. This was “the church of brotherly love that endured patiently” (Revelation 3:7–13).

After the tour, you will be transferred to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay.

There is an optional opportunity to attend a mass at the House of the Virgin Mary (subject to availability). The house has become a pilgrimage site for believers of various faiths.

We will then visit Ephesus – the most influential city in Asia Minor, located along the Aegean Sea. “Ephesus was praised for its perseverance but criticized for losing its first love” (Revelation 2:1–7).

You will also visit the Basilica of St. John, believed to be built over his tomb. John is known both as the evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and the prophet of Revelation.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, you will explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and the world-famous Pamukkale.

Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is one of Turkey’s top attractions, featuring terraces of white mineral-rich waters flowing down a calcium-rich hillside, forming thermal pools.

After lunch, we continue to Laodicea, located in the Lycus River Valley. This was “the church that was neither hot nor cold in its faith” (Revelation 3:14–22).

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul.