Study Program: TUrkey 2024
This study program carries you into the world of the New Testament as we travel in the footsteps of Paul and the early disciples when they took the Good News to the Nations. We will engage the history, archaeology, culture, and geography of the Bible visiting carefully selected sites throughout Turkey, including all seven cities mentioned in Revelation. The planned 11 day, 10 night itinerary for this incredible trip to Turkey on September 4-15, 2024 is below.
Depart from your home airport, drink lots of water en-route (helps with jetlag), review study materials, rest, and get excited!
You will arrive in Istanbul where we gather as a group, and transfer together to your first hotel where you can mingle, relax, eat, and recover from your flight. Dinner and overnight at Crowne Plaza Old City, Istanbul.
Today we will orient ourselves to Istanbul, with flexible time and activities to allow us to engage Istanbul’s amazing culture at different paces, while many recover from jetlag. After breakfast, Geoff will host a morning orientation meeting – bring your study guides! Around midday, we will accompany those who wish to visit the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar together, and in the evening an optional private group scenic cruise awaits us on the Bosphorus. Dinner at the Crowne Plaza for our second night in Istanbul.
Today we explore a city that spans two continents. Our first site is a visit to the ancient Roman Hippodrome, largely renovated by Constantine in the early 4th century AD. We will then visit the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, Hagia Sophia (one of the largest and most significant church buildings ever constructed), the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and (time-permitting) the Basilica Cistern. Dinner and final night in Istanbul.
This morning, we transfer early to the airport and fly to Antalya where we will enjoy a quick lunch before exploring the beautiful ruins of Perga (where John Mark left Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey). After some time at the Saint Paul Cultural Center, we’ll make our way to the Antalya Museum (where many of the beautiful finds from Perga reside) and then a special experience at the ancient harbor (where Paul and Barnabas first landed after leaving Cyprus). Dinner and overnight in Antalya. Dinner and overnight at the Best Western Khan Hotel.
We begin our day with a drive through the beautiful Taurus Mountains to Pisidian Antioch, to whom Paul writes his letter known as “Galatians” and in which resides an impressive temple to Augustus. Then we enjoy lunch and bus to the Pamukkale region, visiting sites such as Colossae (Philemon’s hometown) and Hierapolis (mentioned in the New Testament and known for its wonderful hot springs). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale at the 5 star Doga Thermal Hotel.
This morning we drive to the beautiful ancient city of Aphrodisias, one of Caesar Augustus’ favorite cities, and then, after lunch, to Laodicea (the lukewarm church in Revelation). We will return to the hotel for group members to enjoy hot springs or spa facilities. Dinner and final night in Pamukkale.
Today we explore three churches mentioned specifically in Revelation. Our first stop today is Philadelphia, to whom Jesus gives a new name. We will then explore the ruins of Sardis (which Jesus warns to wake up). After lunch a pleasant drive will take us to Izmir where we will visit the Smyrna Agora Museum (one of only two cities Jesus does not directly criticize in Revelation) and the Grafitti Gallery, closed to the public (if possible). Dinner and overnight in at Movenpick Hotel in Izmir.
Pergamum Theater
We continue our discussion of Revelation, exploring the impressive remains of the ancient site where Satan is said to have his throne - the Pergamum Acropolis and the Asklepion. After lunch we will drive to Akhisar to visit Thyatira, where people tolerated Jezebel. Dinner and our final night in Izmir.
Ephesus
We will spend the morning in the very amazing ruins of ancient Ephesus, also visiting the Paul & Thecla Cave Church (if possible). Following lunch we will enjoy time at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where so many of the impressive finds from Ephesus reside, and St. John’s Basilica (the traditional location of John’s tomb) before heading to the handicrafts center to take in local carpet-making. Kusadası for dinner and overnight at the KoruMar Hotel De Luxe .
Miletus, Turkey
Today we finish strong, exploring the ancient city of Priene (which carries the ethos of the New Testament world) before we go to the Apollo temple at Didyma. After lunch we will explore the ruins of Miletus before returning to Kusadası for our last dinner and overnight in Turkey.
We begin our day in prayer before making our way to the Izmir airport as this study trip concludes. You’ve walked in the way of the early disciples of Jesus; it’s now time to step back into your own time and place, joining God in the restorative work of the world.
