Join us on our full-day tour to Pamukkale, which in English means “cotton castle”. You’ll understand why it’s called this when you see the site! This unique site should be on everyone’s “must see” list when visiting Turkey. The thermal spa of Hierapolis dates from dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, and is registered as a cultural and natural heritage site by UNESCO. Your guide will show you the ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments at the site. You’ll see the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis and have time to relax in the warm spring waters. Calcite-laden waters cascade from springs in a cliff towering nearly 200 meters over the plain, creating a surreal landscape of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. The terraces were formed by the warm cascading waters that contain calcium bicarbonate. As the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. During your visit to the open-air museum of Hierapolis you’ll see the massive ancient graveyard that contains over 1200 sarcophagi, many of which are the size of a small house. Other ruins that you’ll visit on this tour include the Great Theatre, the tomb of St. Philip, the Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.

According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and drive to Ephesus, An Archeological treasure, The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During 1C AD, Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. It is also home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler. Next; the House of the Virgin Mary: it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Also, it is believed that the Assumption took place there in the 15th of August. Tour continues on to St John Basilica; 3 km away from the ruins of Ephesus a small church was built dedicated to John in 2C AD, Later in 6C AD it was replaced by a huge basilica built by Emperor Justinian, The impressive ruins are still standing today. Our last visiting place will be The Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour drive you back to the departure point.

Seven Holy Churches Turkey Even today, Turkey is important to people because of the holy seven churches, located the in Aegean Region. Booking Tours Turkey offer you the chance to discover the holy churches with a professional guide and exceptional service in Turkey. In the chapter of Revelation, The apostle St. John had sent his greeting and had described what he had seen in Patmos. St. John told, while he was in the presence of the spirit, he had heard voice tell him to write on a Scroll what he saw before him and send them to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Monday – Day 1: IZMIR ARRIVAL Today is the first day of this religious and historical tour. Your tour will take start from Izmir airport or Kusadasi port. You guide will be waiting for you to meet and transfer you to your hotel in Izmir. (Meal: Dinner) Tuesday – Day 2: PERGAMON – THYATIRA – IZMIR After breakfast you will depart for the ancient city to the church of Pergamum, in Bergama. In the Pergamum you will see the Acropolis, steepest theatre in the world, and the Altar of Zeus, mentioned as Throne of Satan in the book of revelation. After the acropolis we will visit the Asklepieion which is the center of health in Roman times. In Pergamum you will also discover the second largest library of Ancient times, after Library of Alexandria in Egypt. The estimated number of books in Pergamum library is around 200.000, called Parchments. In Pergamum we will also visit the Red Basilica (St. John's Church). Then we will drive to Thyatira, now Akhisar city, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia. Thyatira was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural ruins from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira. After the tour we will drive back to Izmir, before checking into the hotel we will discover the panoramic side of Smyrna which is the third biggest city of Turkey. Smyrna was of the seven churches in Asia. You will also visit the central city area called Clock tower. Overnight in Izmir. (Meal: Breakfast and Dinner) Wednesday – Day 3: IZMIR – SARDIS – PHILADELPHIA - LAODICEA – HIERAPOLIS In the morning, you will depart for one of the important seven churches of Asia called Sardis. Sardis was the capital city of the ancient Lydian Kingdom of 6th century BC. In Sardis, you will visit temple of Artemis and the temple of Cybele, godess of fertility. This tepmple was converted to a Byzantine Church. In Sardis, you will visit some Lydian houses, with gymnasium and Synagogue. Here we will also see the last part of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis, built by Cyrus. You will get your lunch en route. We will drive to Philadelphia, to Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia, and the only church not censured. There we see the ruins of a Byzantine basilica, built by brick, with a high arch and some 11th century frescoes. We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We will proceed to Laodicea (Denizli) yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. We see the ancient theatre, the remains of a basilica and ancient stone water pipes. We will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. After tour checkin at hotel for dinner and overnight in a Thermal Hotel. (Meal: Breakfast and Dinner) Thursday – Day 4: EPHESUS – KUSADASI After your breakfast, we will drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, the capital city of Asia Minor. Ephesus is the one of the important seven churches in Asia. On our tour we will visit the Basilica of St. John, the apostle of Jesus. St. Paul preached the Ephesians about religion and spent his last three years of life there. You will also discover the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Than we will visit the Ancient of city Ephesus. In this ancient city we will see and walk through the history set along the marble streets, wonderful ruins, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and ancient third largest Theatre. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus is another of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Meal: Breakfast and Dinner) Friday Day 5 : IZMIR – HOME Pick up from hotel and transfer to Izmir airport for your flight back home. (Meal: Breakfast)

Turkey, in antiquity known as Asia, was home to seven wondrous churches. It didn’t refer to an actual building, but rather seven Christian cities in Western Anatolia, which now lie in ruins. Visit these ancient places and walk the same steps that the world’s earliest Christians did. Before that, you’ll see all of Istanbul’s major sites, including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Then you’ll travel to Izmir and start your tour of ancient Christianity, seeing many Roman ruins along the way. Soak in the thermal baths at Pamukkale, just as tourists have done for centuries – it was founded, after all, as a resort town by the Ancient Romans. Each step along the way, your expert guide will be there to provide you with context and information regarding each of these wonderful cities. Detailed Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival Arrive in Istanbul and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2: Istanbul Tour Explore Istanbul and visit the historic old town. Then visit the Hippodrome, Istanbul’s first sports stadium, and the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Then visit the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace and a traditional bazaar. Day 3: Istanbul - Izmir Visit the Grand Bazaar before touring the port of Istanbul and seeing the Cistern of Istanbul. Flight to Izmir. Day 4: Pergamon – Thyatira – Izmir Explore the Pergamum Acropolis, and visit the Ancient Roman health center of Asklepieion. See the Red Basilica and continue on to Thyatira and back to Izmir. Day 5: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis Visit the Sardis Church and ruins of the Temple of Artemis, then travel to Philadelphia Church. Then to the Roman resort of Pamukkale with its therapeutic thermal baths and the Cotton Castle. Finally, head to the Gate of Domitian, and the Nymphaion. Day 6: Ephesus – Kusadasi See the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. Then head to the ancient city of Ephesus and its Archeological Museum. Day 7: Izmir to Istanbul Relax in Kusadasi and flight back to Istanbul. Day 8: Departure Airport transfer in time for your flight.

Day 1 Arrival to Istanbul Upon arrival at Istanbul A/P, greeted and drives to your hotel. C/IN. O/N in Istanbul. (No Meal) Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out, Today you explore Hagia Sophia; was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next; Topkapi Palace; It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to with Hippodrome; during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Movıng on to, Grand Bazaar; With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. After tour flight to Izmir. C/IN. O/N in Kusadasi. (B-L) Day 3 Ancient Ephesus Tour Today you visit The House of Virgin Mary; where Mary spent her last days. Your tour continues with the Ancient Ephesus; The best preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. Next; Temple of Artemis; was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. O/N in Kusdasi. (B-L) Day 4 Pamukkale Tour Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out, Today you visit Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Visit; ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, After tour flight to Istanbul. C/IN. O/N in Istanbul. (B-L) Day 5 HD Bosphorus Cruise Today you visit Spice Bazaar; It was called Egyptian Bazaar during the ottoman period because shopkeepers used to sell herbs and spices brought throughout Egypt and Asia. Next, Cruising on Bosphorus; where you will enjoy a magnificent view. A great history wıth beautiful nature. After tour drive you back to your hotel. Rest of the day is yours for shopping. O/N in Istanbul. (B) Day 6 Departure Day Upon breakfast at the hotel check out and according to your flight time drive you to Istanbul Airport. End of our service. (B)