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Day 1
Early morning flight or 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 to Istanbul and transfer to hotel. |