Day 1: DEPARTURE DAY (Monday, August 17, 2026)

Flights are from an east coast gateway (ATL). Overnight: in flight.

Day 2: ARRIVAL in ISTANBUL (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner this evening and introductions. Overnight: Istanbul (1 of 3). D

Day 3: ISTANBUL (Wednesday, August 19, 2026)

The historic and grand city (ancient Constantinople) will be our backdrop to look at the period of expansion in the early centuries of the church. During these next two days, we will deal with the unique fusion of east and west that can be seen in Istanbul. This will provide the backdrop to discuss issues of the period of the Apostolic and Apologetic Fathers, including:

1.    The canon of the Scripture.

2.    The order and formalization of creedal doctrine.

3.    The structural footprint of the church (how the church became a political force and at what cost).

Understanding east and west comes from experiencing them both. To that end, we selected six experiences for you. After breakfast, we will have a classroom introduction to our program (1.5 hours) and then visit: 

1.    The collection at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum (grandeur of the past),

2.    A brief view of the park area where the ancient Hippodrome once stood (the volatility of power in decline),

3.    The Grand Bazaar (the powerful commercial base), and

4.    The Aya Irini (the acknowledgment of Holy Scripture).
After these, we will have dinner and a relaxing overnight at our hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul (2 of 3). B,D

Day 4: ISTANBUL (Thursday, August 20, 2026)

Continuing our theme discussing the early period of Christianity, we will continue our seven experiences with:

1.    Aya Sophia (structured power of heaven and earth).

2.    Turkish bath (comfort, the earth and heaven) for a unique but wonderful cultural experience! Our day will end again with dinner and a relaxing time at the hotel. Overnight: Istanbul (3 of 3). B,D

Day 5: SMYRNA / IZMIR (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Today we begin the ongoing theme of seven heart problems that affect Jesus followers as taken from His letters to seven churches. The first we will visit is to Smyrna, where we learn about facing panic over coming troubles, or “How to choose faith over fear.” After a morning flight to Izmir, we will visit sites in the city and excellent view of the harbor. Overnight: Izmir (1 of 2). B,D

Day 6: PERGAMUM / BERGAMA (Saturday, August 22, 2026)

Our second of the seven churches visits will be at Pergamum, where we look at resetting defaults on “how we meet our needs” and gaining right worship to shed worry. After breakfast, we will journey by motor coach to Bergama (Pergamum, 2 h 20m) via a beautiful coast road: Acropolis, Great Theatre, area of altar of Zeus. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; walk through the Asklepion, the famous medical center of antiquity. Overnight: Izmir (2 of 2). B,D

Day 7: THYATIRA / AKHISAR - SARDIS / SART – PHILADELPHIA / ALASEHIR (Sunday, August 23, 2026)

Today we will visit the ancient sites of three of the churches and continue addressing the troubles that press our faith. At Thyatira we’ll discuss our deep hunger for economic stability, where we can be tempted to “trade mansions then for money now.” Next, we travel and visit the ancient city of Sardis, where we learn about “living on the laurels of an old testimony,” and seek to address seizing revival over standing on reputation. Finally, we make our way to ancient Philadelphia, and face the problem of feeling small and marginalized. For travel planning, after breakfast, we plan to depart our hotel in Izmir for the visit of Akhisar (Thyatira, 1h45m). From there we travel south to Sart (Sardis, 1 h20m), visit ruins of the Temple of Artemis, Royal Road, gymnasium, and synagogue. Travel on to the modest ruins of Alasehir (Philadelphia, 1 h). On to Hierapolis area. Overnight: Pamukkale / Hierapolis area (1 of 2). B,D

Day 8: HIERAPOLIS – PAMUKKALE - LAODICEA (Monday, August 24, 2026)

Today we visit HIERAPOLIS and her sister city at Laodicea, where we will discuss our tendency to feel like we don’t need Jesus as we grapple with the lie of self-sufficiency. This morning we will depart first for a visit of Hierapolis, Pamukkale, and Laodikeia (25 m, Laodicea), then return to our spa hotel for refreshment. Overnight: Pamukkale / Hierapolis area (2 of 2). B,D

Day 9: HIERAPOLIS – COLOSSAE - APHRODISIAS – KUSADASI (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)

Taking a break from the Revelation letters, we will climb up onto the ruins of Colossae and discuss the writing of Paul to the Colossians (and the foundations of conflict in pseudo-sciences), while also addressing the small letter of Philemon. After our visit, we will travel to the ruins of Colossae’s ancient “sister city” of Aphrodisias, before driving to our hotel for dinner near Ephesus. Overnight: Kusadasi (1 of 2). B,D

Day 10: EPHESUS / SELCUK (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)

Today we complete our theme of the seven churches at the monumental excavations in Ephesus, where we will look at resetting our priorities. Here we face the temptation of trading our WALK with Jesus for WORK for Jesus. This includes a full day tour of Ephesus including the Arcadian Way, the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. Visit to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. The Basilica of St. John. Visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. Overnight: Kusadasi (2 of 2). B,D

Day 11: IZMIR – ISTANBUL (Thursday, August 27, 2026)

After breakfast, we travel to the Izmir Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Soon, we will be home, refreshed and thinking about how to manage our heart more effectively!

Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. However, due to the unpredictable nature of travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.