Biblical Archeology Tour

About Biblical Archeology Tour

Turkey is very rich in archeological sights, and has many Biblical places and great importance in Christian history.

This is a very comprehensive tour that starts in Istanbul. Travelling along the Aegean and the Mediterranean cost you would visit all the most important archeological sights. You would also enjoy Cappadocia, and the last place to visit would be Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

Biblical Archeology Tour Itinerary

Day 1 : Istanbul Old City Tour

• Guide will meet you in your hotel lobby after breakfast, and take you to a full day walking tour in Istanbul.
• You will visit the well known historical sights:
• The museum of Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia) architectural masterpiece which used to be the biggest church in the world
• After you visit the Underground Byzantine Cistern (Yerebatan)
• Guide will show you the remians of the Hippodrome of Istanbul, and the famous Blue Mosque (The Sultan Ahmed Mosque), famous for its tiles.
• After lunch, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, which was the main palace of Ottoman sultans for centuries; the Harem section is one of its most interesting sections.
• Before you return to hotel, you will have chance to walk in the Grand Bazaar, the biggest and the oldest open market in the world.
• Overnightstay in Istanbul.

Day 2 : Istanbul Tour

• Guide will meet you in hotel lobby and take you to another sightseeing in Istanbul.
• You will visit Suleymaniye mosque, one of the masterpieces of the famous Ottoman achitect Sinan.
• Another stop during this tour is the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora and Pierre Lotti Hill, one of the nicest viewpoints in Istanbul.
• You will have also have a Bosphorus boat trip on a private yacht  and see the bridges of Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palaces, Anadolu and Rumeli fortresses and beautiful houses along the strait.
• At the end of the tour you will visit Spice Market, the 17th century structure that housed the majority of the city’s spice trade.
• Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 3: Tekirdag - Gallipoli

• Early departure from Istanbul. On the way to Canakkale our first stop is at the Tekirdag, to visit Barbare Vineyards for a vineyard tour, followed by a traditionla Turkish meal paired with wines.
• We will then continue to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we visit the Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek and Chunuk Bair - New Zealand Memorial; We will also visit the poignant Lone Pine Cemetery and get idea about the position and size of the Dardanelles.
• Then take the ferry crossings from Eceabat to Canakkale and check-in to the hotel.  Overnight stay in Canakkale.

Day 4 : Troy-Assos-Burhaniye

• This morning we visit  the ancient city of Troy, made famous in Homer’s epic poem; after we see the replica of the wooden horse
• After a short drive, you will reach Assos and visit the Temple of Athena located in the Acropolis which also has a beautiful sea view.
• From here we take the coastal Aegean Sea route to Burhaniye, with some coastal stops along the way.
• Overnight stay in Burhaniye.

Day 5 : Pergamum – Thyatira – Smyrna (Izmir) - Kusadasi

• Departure from Burhaniye and driving to Pergamon; in Pergamon you will see the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Serapis Temple, Heroon, Sanctuary of Athena, Library of Pergamon, Temple of Trajan, Theatre, Zeus Altar, Red Court. Pergamon is the third of the ‘Seven Churches of Asia’ – the ”throne of Satan”. Our second stop on this tour is Thyatira; it was one of the Seven Churches (Revelation 1:11;2:18-28) Lydia, the seller of purple who was selling her dyes in Philippi, was from this city (Acts 16:14).
• Then we will drive to Smyrna (Izmir) the third largest city of Turkey. It was the second city to receive a letter from the Apostle John in the book of Revelation. We will visit the agora of Smyrna;
• After the tour and 1 hour transfer you will arrive to Kusadası or Sirince for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Ephesus Tour

• Drive to Ephesus (20min); St. Paul visited Ephesus briefly during his second missionary journey and stayed there more than three years. Both Paul and Apostle John wrote letters to the Ephesians.
• We also visit Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
• Our second stop will be the Basilica of St. John where you will see the burial place of St. John.
• Then we will visit the House of Mother Mary
• We will visit Carpet Cooparative  and learn about Turkish art and have local lunch there.
• After the tour we will take you to Kusadasi/ Sirince for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Didyma – Miletos - Priene

• After the breakfast, we will drive to Priene, an ancient city from the 4th century B. C. The temple of Athena, the theatre and the house of Alexander The Great are the highlights of this site. Although it doesn’t require long walking, we don’t suggest this tour to guests who have walking problem because the city was founded on a steep hill.
• After Priene, we will drive to Miletos, the city of philosophers; the Faustina Baths and the Theatre are the places not to be missed there.
• After about thirty minutes driving we will be in Didyma.
• For lunch you will have a chance to taste the local daily fish of the Aegean region.
• After lunch we will visit the Temple of Apollo in Didyma, the second biggest temple after the one in Delphi, and definitely one of the best preserved ancient Greek temples.
• After the tour you will be transferred back to Kusadasi/Sirince.

Day 8: Sardes – Philadelphia - Aphrodisias

• After breakfast we will drive to Sardis. There was one of the seven Asiatic Churches (Revelation 3:1-6). Sardis was the capital city of ancient Lydia. See the early church remaining in Sardis (Sardis Gymnasium, Jewish Synagogue, Diana Temple).
• Then proceed to Philadelphia (Alasehir). Philadelphia (brotherly love) is not so ancient as many other cities of Asia Minor, it was founded after 189 BC. It was the seat of the ‘Seven Churches’ (Revelation 3:7-12).
• Then continue driving to ancient city of Aphrodisias. The most interesting points of Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, are a big stadium, odeon, monumental gateway and the Temple of Aphrodite. The stadium is probably one of the best preserved examples in the world.
• Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Day 9: Pamukkale (Hierapolis) – Laodicea - Fethiye

• After breakfast we will visit Pamukkale (Hierapolis) to see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Necropolis and Philip’s tomb
• Then we will have a short drive to Laodicea. The final letter of the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea.
• We visit the Christian Ruins as well as the Statue of Emperor Augustus, Aquaduct, Stadium, Ephesian Gate.
• After the tour there will be about 3 hrs driving to Fethiye and overnight stay in Fethiye.

Day 10 : Tlos – Saklıkent – Xantos – Patara - Kalkan

• Departure from Fethiye after breakfast
• During this daily tour you will have chance to visit ancient city of Tlos and to see the Lycian Tombs. G
• Gorge of Saklikent  (spectacular place, the second largest gorge in Europe)
•  Xanthos (the most unique architectural example of the ancient Lycian Civilization) and Patara (Lycian city close to one of the longest beaches in Turkey).
• After the tour, overnight stay in Kalkan.

Day 11  : Kalkan – Kekova – Demre - Antalya

• We will drive along the Turquoise cost and about 1 hr 30 min we will reach Kekova. In this little fishing town we can have a 1 hour boat tour to see the sunken city.
• Then we well drive to Demre and visit the St Nicholas Church. It is believed that st Nicholas lived and died in Demre (Myra).
• We also can visit the ancient city of Myra.
• Then we will drive 3 more hours to reach Antalya.
• Overnight stay in Antalya.

Day 12 : Antayla

• After breakfast we will have Antalya city tour to see Kaleici (old Antalya), Clock Tower, Old Harbour, Kesik Minare and Hadrianus Gate.
• We will also visit Antalya Archaeological Museum, and after lunch will drive to the Kursunlu Waterfall to relax and behold God’s beautiful creation dating back to the Roman period.
• Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

 

Day 13 : Perge – Side

• After breakfast, will first visit the Greco-Roman city of Perge where Paul gave his first speech on Christianity in the area.
• Then we will see pne of the world’s best preserved Greco-Roman theaters in Aspendos.
• We will also visit Side to see the ancient Theatre, great Gate and Temple of Apollo.
• After the tour we will drive back to Antalya for an overnight stay.

Day 14 : Sagalassos - Psidian Antioch - Konya

• After breakfast, we will drive about 2 hrs to visit Sagalassos which is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey.
• We will see a fountain from Hellenistlic and Roman period, visit the library.
• Then will drive to Yalvac to visit Psidian Antioch. Here Paul preached his first recorded sermon and uttered his famous words ”Now we turn to Gentiles” (Acts 13:14-52).
• After the tour we will proceed to Konya (Iconium) via Beysehir Lake. You will see the Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (the founder of whirling Dervishes), one of important spirituals centers in Islamic world.
• Overnight stay in Konya.

Day 15 : Çatalhoyük - Ihlara Valley - Kaymaklı

• We will drive about 1 hour to visit Çatalhoyuk large Neolithic and Chalcolithic proto-city settlement in southern Anatolia, which existed from approximately 7500 BC to 5700 BC, and flourished around 7000 BC. In July 2012, it bedame a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Then we will have 3 hour drive to Cappadoccia; on the way you will visit Ihlara Valley where you will spend two hours walking in the canyon, to discover the churches carved into the rocks and enjoy the nature.
• Another stop is Kaymakli underground City (one of the most interesting examples among 36 underground cities in the area);
• Arrival to Cappadocia, overnight stay.

Day 16 : Cappadocia Tour

• Optional hot-air balloon flight  early in the morning and Cappadocia tour:
• Imaginary Valley (also known as Dervent valley)
• Pasabag or Monks valley (famous for its mushroom shaped fairy chimneys),
• Zelve (amazing cave town which housed one of the largest communities in the region);
• You can also visit local ceramic workshops
• The Goreme open-air museum (ruins of churches carved into volcanic rock).
• After the tour you will have an overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Day 17 : Hattusas - Yazılıkaya - Ankara

• Departure from Cappadocia after breakfast, and about 3 hrs to reach Hattusas - the Capital city of Hitites, one of the authentic Anatolian civilizations.
• We will visit the lower and the upper city, and drive to Yazılıkaya, the largest known Hittite rock sanctuary.
• After the tour we will drive about 2hrs 30 min to Ankara, the capital of Turkey for an overnight stay.

Day 18 : Ankara Tour

• Departure from hotel after breakfast and full day tour in the capital of Turkey.
• Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which houses some of the most interesting artifacts in Turkey.
• You will also visit the old part of the city called Ulus, and the Mausoleum of Ataturk called Anitkabir, the tomb of the founder of the secular Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
• You will also have chance to see some of the ancient ruins in the city center: Temple of Augustus, Roman Bath complex and Column of Julian.
• The last stop during this tour is the Ankara Fortress.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Ankara.

Day 19 : Istanbul

Transfer from hotel to Ankara airport to fly to Istanbul, and from there back to your country.