Travel with Pastor Scott Ziegler and The Bridge as you study the Letters and Churches of the Apostles in İstanbul, Türkiye. Experience this 10-day Bible study journey through Asia Minor. Embark on a journey through historic marvels from Istanbul's Blue Mosque to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, ending with spiritual contemplation at Patmos' Cave of Revelation.
AT A GLANCE
STATUS
Event has passed.
DATES
Departing: March 15, 2024
Returning: March 24, 2024
PRICING
Starting at $4,350 from Chicago, IL (ORD) for double occupancy. Single-room supplement costs $910 additional.*
Each traveler must have:
Current US Passport valid until at least six months AFTER the return date;
Turkish Visa Fee ($50 per person) to be paid online before arrival (www.evisa.gov.tr);
Travel insurance.
Your tour includes:
Round-trip international air transportation from Chicago, IL (ORD);
First-class and deluxe hotels;
Land transportation via a deluxe motor coach (WiFi-equipped);
Professional tour guide and driver;
Entrance fees to all activities listed on the itinerary;
Breakfast and dinner daily with special meals noted on the itinerary (lunch is purchased on own unless otherwise noted);
Luggage handling at hotels;
Service charges and local taxes.
Your tour does not include:
Travel insurance;
Domestic flights;
Turkish Visa Fee ($50 per person) to be paid online before arrival (www.evisa.gov.tr);
Gratuities for guide and driver (Please give $200 per registrant in cash to your tour host at the beginning of your journey. You may give more at the end of your journey if you desire.).
*See Terms and Conditions for details.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Friday, March 15, 2024
Today, we depart on our journey from Chicago, IL (ORD) on our international flight to Istanbul, Turkey (IST).
Day 2: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our host will meet us at baggage claim (look for a sign with our group name) and assist us with the transfer of our luggage. We will meet our guide, board our deluxe motor coach, and drive to our hotel to settle in and rest. Dinner and overnight will be at our Istanbul hotel.
Day 3: Sunday, March 17, 2024
After we enjoy our first Mediterranean breakfast, we will begin a full day of touring in Istanbul. We will visit the Roman Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles. We will see the Hagia Sophia Church, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. This is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage site. Next, we will visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the Underground Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. We end our day with dinner and overnight at our Istanbul hotel.
Day 4: Monday, March 18, 2024
After breakfast, we will drive to Canakkale. We will cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry and proceed to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Wooden Horse. We will continue to Alexandrian Troas, founded by Alexander the Great. Paul visited here at least twice. We finish our day with dinner and overnight at our Canakkale hotel.
Day 5: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
After breakfast, we will begin our day with a morning tour of Assos, then depart for Pergamon. We will visit the Acropolis with the steepest theater of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. Next, we will visit the Red Basilica, which was an Egyptian Temple that was later converted into a church. We will continue to Izmir for dinner and overnight in our Izmir hotel.
Day 6: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
After breakfast, we will drive to Sardis, the capital of the ancient Lydia, where the first coin of the world was invented. We will see the remains of the massive Artemis Temple and then continue to Hierapolis, a World Heritage site and the site of the church mentioned in Colossians chapter 4. Dinner and overnight will be at our Pamukkale hotel.
Day 7: Thursday, March 21, 2024
After breakfast, we will begin our day with a morning tour of Laodicea to view the latest excavations. Afterward, we will drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the Goddess of Love. We will see the well-preserved Stadium, the Odeon, the Theater and the Agora. We will continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 8: Friday, March 22, 2024
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Kusadasi Port to take a 7:00 am ferry to Patmos where we will visit the Cave of Revelation and the Basilica of John. We will return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 9: Saturday, March 23, 2024
After breakfast, we will enjoy a full day of touring the ancient city of Ephesus and its Terrace Houses, the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, and the Basilica of St. John. Dinner and overnight will be at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 10: Sunday, March 24, 2024
After breakfast, we will drive to the Izmir Airport (ADB) to begin our journey home. We will arrive in Chicago, IL (ORD) around 7:15 pm.
Blessings Until Next Time!