|
Day
1
Early morning flight or night bus to Smyrna (Izmir),
recipient of a letter from St Paul praising the early believers for
their faithfullness. Visiting to St. Polycarp Church and a short
tour of the city, drive to Thyateira (Akhisar), and Sardis (Salihli),
the ancient Lydian capital. Philadelphia (Alasehir), the youngest of
the "Seven Churches of Relevation", visiting the still standing
remains of an early church and the city walls. Dinner and overnight
at Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
Day
2
Departure after breakfast, tour of Hierapolis. Visit to Laodicea (Denizli),
a crossroad of the ancient world, home of Philip the Evangelist.
Continue to Ephesus, most important of the "Seven Churches of Asia
Minor", where St. John brought Mary in fulfillment of his pledge to
Jesus to protect her, she is belived to have taken into heaven.
Visit to the last abode of Virgin Mary and St. John Basilica. Dinner
and overnight in Izmir.
Day
3
Departure after breakfast for
Pergamum (Bergama), the place where, wrote St. John to the church of
Pergamum, "Satan's throne is sited". Evening return to Izmir and
transfer to the airport for flight, or evening bus to Istanbul
|