Biblical Egypt — Land of Exodus and Faith
In Asia Minor, the New Testament takes shape amid the ruins of faith’s first endurance. Walk through Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and the other Seven Churches — where apostles preached, disciples suffered, and the young Church took root.
Stand in Ephesus’s great theater where Paul once spoke, wander the hidden cave-churches of Cappadocia, and visit Hierapolis, where Philip was martyred for his testimony. Across these sacred landscapes, the stones still whisper of courage, vision, and revelation.
Here, theology met empire, and belief transformed civilization — a living classroom where history and faith still breathe as one.
The Seven Churches of Revelation
Faith and Fire in Asia Minor
8 Days / 7 Nights — Weekly Departures & Tailor-Made Options
Follow in the footsteps of the apostles through the sacred cities of early Christianity. From Istanbul’s imperial domes to the ruins of Ephesus and the hills of Pergamum, this pilgrimage traces the message of Revelation through the heart of ancient Asia Minor — the cradle of the early Church.
Each city still whispers its letter of faith and endurance, inviting travelers to rediscover the courage and devotion of the first believers.
- Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul: Arrive at Istanbul Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (D)
- Day 2 – Ancient Constantinople: Explore the heart of old Constantinople: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Church of St. Irene, and the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman sultans and treasury of holy relics. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
- Day 3 – Sardis • Philadelphia • Laodicea: Early flight to Izmir. Begin your journey through the Seven Churches with visits to Sardis (the church that “had a reputation of being alive, but was dead” — Rev. 3:1), Philadelphia (the faithful church), and Laodicea (the lukewarm church). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B+D)
- Day 4 – Hierapolis • Temple of Artemis • Basilica of St. John: Visit Hierapolis, where the Apostle Philip was martyred, and admire the white terraces of Pamukkale. Continue to Selçuk to see the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Basilica of St. John, built over the apostle’s tomb. Overnight in Kuşadası. (B+D)
- Day 5 – Ephesus • Smyrna (Izmir): Morning visit to Ephesus, the best-preserved city of the ancient world and center of Paul’s ministry. Walk its marble streets, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater where Paul once preached. Stop at Mary’s House (optional), then continue to Bayraklı, the ancient site of Smyrna, the church praised for its faithfulness under persecution. Overnight in Izmir. (B+D)
- Day 6 – Pergamum • Alexandria Troas: Drive to Pergamum (Bergama), “where Satan’s throne is,” once home to a vast library and a major early Christian community. Visit the Acropolis and Asclepion before continuing to Alexandria Troas, where Paul set sail for Macedonia (Acts 16:8–11). Dinner and overnight in Çanakkale. (B+D)
- Day 7 – Istanbul • Bosphorus Cruise & Grand Bazaar: Return to Istanbul. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus cruise between Asia and Europe, followed by free time for shopping at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets. Farewell dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B+D)
- Day 8 – Departure: Breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure. (B)
- Visits to all Seven Churches of Revelation (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea)
- Expert biblical guides and theologians
- Weekly departures & private tailor-made itineraries
- Deluxe hotels, private coach, and all entrance fees included
- Optional extension to Cappadocia or Istanbul devotion day
In the Steps of Paul — Journey Through the Early Church of Asia Minor
11 Days / 10 Nights — Weekly Departures & Tailor-Made Options
Follow the Apostle Paul’s trail across ancient Asia Minor — the heartland of early Christianity. From Antioch, where believers were first called Christians, to Tarsus, Pisidian Antioch, and Ephesus, where Paul preached with boldness, this journey brings the Book of Acts to life. Explore the ancient roads, synagogues, and cities where faith took root and the Gospel began its westward course
- Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul • Welcome Cruise: Arrive in Istanbul, meet your guide, and transfer to the pier for a relaxing Bosphorus cruise — where Europe and Asia meet. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 2 – Ancient Constantinople: Explore Istanbul’s rich Christian and imperial heritage. Visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sophia, once the greatest church of Christendom. Continue to St. Irene’s Church and the Topkapi Palace, with time for reflection on the early councils and the shaping of faith under empire. Overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 3 – Antioch (Antakya) • Tarsus • Mersin: Fly to Adana, then drive to Antioch, where followers of Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Visit the Cave Church of St. Peter and the ancient marketplace where Paul and Barnabas preached. Continue to Tarsus, Paul’s birthplace, visiting the old city gate and river where he began his journey of faith. Dinner and overnight in Mersin.
- Day 4 – Cappadocia • Eskigümüş Monastery • Underground City: Drive through the Anatolian countryside to Cappadocia, a refuge of early believers. Stop at Eskigümüş Monastery to see preserved frescoes, and explore one of the underground cities where Christians hid during persecution. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
- Day 5 – Cappadocia • Göreme • Konya: Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, with its cave churches carved into soft volcanic rock — an early Christian stronghold of worship and resilience. Travel toward Konya (Iconium), where Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and faced opposition (Acts 14:1–6). Stop at a 13th-century caravanserai on the old Silk Road. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
- Day 6 – Pisidian Antioch • Colossae • Laodicea: Journey to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivered his powerful sermon to the Gentiles (Acts 13:14–52). Continue to Colossae, the community addressed in Paul’s epistle, and to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
- Day 7 – Pamukkale • Philadelphia • Sardis • Izmir: Visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, where the Apostle Philip was martyred, and see Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces. Continue to Philadelphia and Sardis, both named in Revelation for their spiritual endurance and renewal. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
- Day 8 – Ephesus • Izmir: Walk the marble streets of Ephesus, the heart of Paul’s ministry. Visit the Theater of Ephesus, where he spoke to thousands, the Library of Celsus, and the Agora. Reflect on the letter to the Ephesians and Paul’s teaching on unity in Christ. Optional visit to the Basilica of St. John as a historical reference site. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.
- Day 9 – Pergamum • Alexandria Troas • Çanakkale: Drive to Pergamum (Bergama), home of one of the Seven Churches and a center of early Christian thought. Continue to Alexandria Troas, where Paul received his vision to “come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:8–10). Dinner and overnight in Çanakkale.
- Day 10 – Troy • Return to Istanbul • Grand Bazaar: Visit the ancient city of Troy, symbolic of the crossroads between myth and mission. Return to Istanbul, enjoy a final stroll through the Grand Bazaar, and share in a farewell dinner reflecting on the journey of Paul and the enduring legacy of faith.
- Day 11 – Departure: Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your international departure.
- Visits to key Pauline sites: Antioch, Tarsus, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Ephesus, Troas, and more
- Bible-qualified scholars & Protestant pastoral hosts
- Scripture-based devotions and teaching at major sites
- Luxury accommodation, private coach, all entrance fees
- Weekly departures or private group customization
- Optional extensions to Greece or the Seven Churches of Revelation.