Edengate

The Seven Churches & Istanbul

Turkey is sometimes described as the “Forgotten Bible Land” as more biblical sites are to be found here after Israel than any other country.
While maps of Turkey are found at the back of most Bibles, many Christians are unaware of Turkey’s major role as a Bible land, especially for the New Testament, because it is generally referred to as Asia Minor.

  • Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Basilica Cisterns, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Spice Bazaar

  • Pergamum & Thyatira: Acropolis, Temple of Trajan, Library, Amphitheater, Altar of Zeus, Asclepion, site of the 4th Church of Revelation

  • Smyrna & Sardis: Ancient Agora, Kadifekale Fortress, Temple of Artemis, Jewish Synagogue

  • Philadelphia & Laodicea: Byzantine Walls, Basilica, theaters, stadium, gymnasium, early Christian sites, Pamukkale thermal pools

  • Hierapolis & Aphrodisias: Roman amphitheater, baths, basilica church, white travertine terraces, Greco-Roman ruins of Aphrodisias

  • Ephesus & Selçuk: Library of Celsus, Odeon, Agora, amphitheater, St. John’s Basilica, Ephesus Museum

  • Miletus & Didyma: Theater, marketplaces, baths, Temple of Apollo with its Medusa carvings

Tour Map

The Seven Churches & Istanbul - Map

Day 1: Sunday – Istanbul

  • Arrival at Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel

  • Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul

  • Visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) with its famous Iznik tiles

  • Explore the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople

  • Tour St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), once the world’s largest church

  • Discover the Basilica Cisterns, the underground water reservoir

Day 3: Istanbul

  • Guided visit of Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans

  • Wander and shop in the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000+ shops

Day 4: Istanbul → Izmir

  • Enjoy a relaxing Bosphorus Boat Trip between Europe and Asia

  • Visit the colorful Spice Bazaar

  • Take a short domestic flight to Izmir

Day 5: Pergamum & Thyatira

  • Explore Pergamum Acropolis with its temples, library, and amphitheater

  • Visit the ancient healing center, the Asclepion

  • Continue to Thyatira, one of the 7 Churches of Revelation

Day 6: Smyrna & Sardis

  • Walk through the ancient Agora of Smyrna

  • See Kadifekale (Velvet Fortress) with panoramic city views

  • Visit Sardis with its Temple of Artemis and large synagogue

Day 7: Philadelphia & Laodicea

  • Stop at Philadelphia with remains of Byzantine walls and basilica

  • Explore Laodicea with theaters, stadium, and early Christian remains

  • Overnight near Pamukkale’s thermal pools and white terraces

Day 8: Hierapolis, Pamukkale & Aphrodisias

  • Discover Hierapolis with its amphitheater, baths, and basilica church

  • See the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale up close

  • Visit Aphrodisias, an impressive Greco-Roman archaeological site

Day 9: Ephesus & Selçuk

  • Tour Ephesus: Library of Celsus, amphitheater, Agora, and Odeon

  • Visit St. John’s Basilica, built over the apostle’s believed tomb

  • Explore the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk

Day 10: Miletus & Didyma

  • Visit Miletus with its theater, marketplaces, and bath complexes

  • End the tour at Didyma’s Temple of Apollo with its iconic Medusa carvings

Tour Map

The Seven Churches & Istanbul - Map

Our hotels are chosen for their qualityamenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centres so you can go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you.

Tour Map

The Seven Churches & Istanbul - Map

Air overview

Timing Matters: Air options depend on airline release timing. Airlines typically publish fares 10 months before departure—that’s why you’ll see one of two setups below: if flights aren’t live yet, book the land package now and add our coordinated flights when they go live; if flights are live, choose the air-inclusive package with our designated group flights and included transfers. Either way, our team coordinates flights to align with your tour. Where possible and permitted by the airline, our air team can also add your TSA Known Traveller Number and frequent flyer numbers to your booking for your convenience.

Scenario A — Flights not released yet

Make it easy later—secure your place now with a land-only booking. Our flight package will open once airline schedules are released. When flights become available, we will contact you so you can add our coordinated flights package.

Why add our flight package? It aligns with the tour timings and includes group arrival and departure transfers when you travel on our designated group flights. Our air team supports you with schedule changes, and—where possible and permitted—can add your TSA Known Traveler Number and frequent flyer numbers to your reservation.

If you prefer to arrange your own flights, please do not book until we confirm your place on the tour and provide our official flight window. For this tour, you must arrive in [City] by [Time] on [Arrival Date], and you may depart any time on [Departure Date]. Transfers are included only when travelling on our designated group flights; for land-only travellers, transfers are not included but can be arranged at additional cost, subject to availability.

Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.

Important: If you choose independent flights, it is your responsibility to reach the tour start point/hotel on time and at your own expense. Additional costs arising from missed services are not covered.

  • Summary:

    • Flights package: will be offered once airline schedules open; we’ll invite you to add it.

    • Arrival/departure: arrive [City] by [Time] on [Arrival Date]; depart any time on [Departure Date].

    • Transfers: included only on our designated group flights; otherwise, a paid add-on.

    • Independent air: wait for tour confirmation and our flight window before booking.

    • Responsibility: independent travellers must get to/from the tour on time at their own expense.

 

We are excited to arrange your flights for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Scenario B — Flights available now (use when selling the full package)

Choose the simple option: our air-inclusive package. It pairs flights that align with the tour and includes group arrival and departure transfers when you travel on our designated group flights. Our air team supports you with schedule changes and seating requests where possible, and—where permitted—can add your TSA Known Traveller Number and frequent flyer numbers to your reservation.

Prefer to arrange your own flights? Land-only is available on request. Please wait to book flights until we confirm your place on the tour and provide our official flight window. You must arrive in [City] by [Time] on [Arrival Date]; you may depart any time on [Departure Date]. Transfers are not included for land-only travellers; private/shared transfers can be arranged at additional cost, subject to availability.

 

Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.

 

Important: If you choose independent flights, it is your responsibility to reach the tour start point/hotel on time and at your own expense. Additional costs arising from missed services are not covered.

  • Summary:

    • Best value: air-inclusive package with coordinated flights + group transfers on designated flights.

    • Land-only: available on request; strict flight window applies.

    • Arrival/departure: arrive [City] by [Time] on [Arrival Date]; depart any time on [Departure Date].

    • Transfers: not included for land-only; paid transfers available.

    • Responsibility: independent travellers must reach the tour on time at their own expense.

 

We are excited to arrange your flights for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Tour Map

The Seven Churches & Istanbul - Map

What’s included in the land price of *£/€/$XXXX?

*Price based on a minimum of XX participants. (For this tour)

Your Tour Includes

  • Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coach

  • Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels

  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (water is included with dinners)

  • Professional tour guide throughout the tour

  • Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions

  • Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary not referred to as optional

  • Arrival and departure transfers for group flights

  • Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour

  • All other taxes and tips for provided services including tour director and driver

  • Full colour personalised tour diary

  • Travel app

Your Tour Does Not Include

  • Air transportation and related taxes and fees (Round-trip group air £/€/$XXXX)

  • Single supplement (£/€/$XXX)

  • Airport transfers separate from the group

  • Meals, other than as indicated above

  • Items of a personal nature, such as passport fees

  • Passenger trip cancellation insurance

Payment Schedule

  • Initial deposit of £/€/$XXX will secure your place on the tour. Click here to pay. Click here to pay Online payments incur a % credit card fee. Cheques can be mailed to “EdenGate Travel”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.

  • Final payment will be due 120 days before departure.

Travel Insurance

IMG is an excellent company that responds to claims quickly and efficiently. There are three possible policies depending on the amount of coverage you’d like. The brochure links are below.

iTravelInsured Travel SE is the most popular option.
iTravelInsured Travel Lite is the most economical option.
iTravelInsured Travel LX is the most expensive option.

Click here for a no-obligation quote. The contact details for Cave Insurance are listed on the website and brochures if you have any questions.

Cancellations

Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance:

INDIVIDUAL CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be in writing.

• From the time of deposit until 100 days before departure, a $150 per person penalty.

From 99-30 days before departure $350 per person penalty plus any non-refundable deposits to airlines or ground suppliers.

• An individual cancelling less than 30 days before departure will receive NO REFUND.

  • Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.

  • For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.

  • Roommates cancelling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.

  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.

  • EdenGate Travel cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through EdenGate.

Tour Map

The Seven Churches & Istanbul - Map

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