Specific Tour
12 people
English
Departure Points: Izmir / Kusadasi / Selcuk
Availability: Daily as a private tour
DAY 1-Izmir – Pergamon – Thyatira
Accommodation : Izmir
Driving Distance : Approx. 380km
You will meet with your private guide at the Izmir airport or the lobby of your hotel in Izmir or Kuşadası and depart on a 1.5 hour drive from Izmir to Pergamon, which was a great centre of culture and the capital of the East Roman Empire. At the Acropolis there are numerous remains including the celebrated Library, the steepest theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the place of the monumental Altar of Zeus famous for its relief of God and devils, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora. After a lunch of local specialties, you will proceed to the Medical Centre of the ancient world, the Asclepion where the first psychological treatment was used, and which was dedicated to Asclepios, the God of Health. Your next visit will be to the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church). Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11: 2:18-24: Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Afterwards you will drive and check in to your hotel in Izmir.
DAY 2- Izmir – Ephesus – Pamukkale
Accommodation: Pamukkale
Driving Distance: Approx. 300km
After breakfast, depart for the site of Ephesus, the premiere Greco- Roman City of the ancient world, Ephesus. During your tour you will explore the Temple of Hadrian, Domitians temple, Hercules Gate, the famous Celsus Library, Great theatre and more. Next stop is the House of the Virgin Mary where it is believed to have spent her last years. At lunch time you will be able to sample some more traditional Turkish food. Your last visit will be to the Basilica of St. John (St. Jean Aniti), which stands over the believed burial site of St. John. Afterwards we drive approximately 2.5 hours to Pamukkale where you will check in to your hotel.
Special notes: St Polycarp Church is currently closed to visitors. If guests are visiting Virgin Mary’s House on a Sunday they can join a mass service at Virgin Mary’s House. Mass can be organised at Virgin Mary’s House for groups of 35+ guests. Please contact us for prices.
DAY 3 Pamukkale-Izmir
Accommodation: –
Driving Distance: Approx. 300km
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel and drive to Laodicea. Situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and having produced a black wool that was highly sought after under Roman dominion, Loodicea was one of the most successful commercial cities of its time in Asia Minor and was olso wel known for its medical school. We know from the late 1st century writings of Josephus that there was Ikely a large Jewish population in the city and, from his letter to the people of nearby Colosson, that Paul was concemed also with the people in Loodicea as well as their neighbors in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13.15.16), Water was supplied to the city from a hot spring about 4 miles away through on aqueduct that you will see ruins of today, along with others including walls and temples, the stadium. gymnasium and theaters. From Laodicea, it is a 15 minute drive to the North Gate of Pamukkale (Hierapolls). During our tour of the site you will see the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1.200 graves. Roman Bath. Domitian Gate, and the Main Street, Byzantium Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). You will have some free time to swim with antiquities in the Cleopatra Ancient Pool (entrance fee an extra 200TL per person) which is warmed by hot springs and contains ruins of ancient marble columns. We depart Pamukkale and drive to Alasehir where the ancient Philadelphia Church is located. We then continue to Sardes, ancient capital city of the Lydians and visit the Church of Sardes. Afterwards we will drop you back to your hotel in Pamukkale or transfer to Denizli airport. End of Services.
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