Day 1
Depart on flight from London Heathrow to Izmir via Istanbul. On arrival we transfer to Izmir (Smyrna) for dinner and overnight.

Day 2
We visit the Agora, Archaeological Museum, St.Polycarp Church and continue to Dikili, a seaside town where we check in at our seaside hotel, right on the beach.
Dinner and overnight in Dikili.

Day 3
Visit of (Pergamum), one of the most impressive classical sites in Turkey, a city which once rivalled Alexandria and Antioch as a centre for the arts and sciences. Of particular interest is the Asclepieon, one of the foremost medical centres of the ancient world - a huge complex that includes temples, treatment rooms, pools, a sacred spring, a library and even a theatre for entertainment.
Drive back to Dikili (20 km) for dinner and overnight.

Day 4
In the morning, we travel to Akhisar (Thyatira) with its remains of a Basilica. Then proceed to Sart (Sardis), the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lydia set in the crumbling mountains. We view the Temple of Artemis, with the largest Ionic columns in the Greek world, Lydian houses, a Byzantine church and a reconstructed synagogue. Continue to Alasehir (Philadelphia), with its numerous remains of early Christian churches. Then to Pamukkale, one of the most spectacular natural wonders of Turkey. There will be opportunity to bathe in the thermal spring waters that have carved a dazzling white petrified cascade of basins, cataracts and stalactites.
Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 5
We visit the Necropolis at Hierapolis, then drive to Laodicea on the south bank of the River Lyros, whose sights included temples, a fountain, a theatre, Odean gymnasium, aqueduct and sarcophagi. Continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean coast.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6
This morning will be taken up with a visit to the outsize sanctuary of Apollo at Didyma with its gigantic columns. Next, we visit the 15,000 - seat theatre of Miletus, with the ruins of a 15th century mosque close by, used now as a nesting place for storks. We then take the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Priene, built on a lonely rock terrace, overlooked by Mount Mykale. The site gives a vivid impression of what life in a Hellenistic city must have been like. Here the League of Ionian Cities held its congresses and festivals around 200 BC.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7
Travel by coach to Efes (Ephesus), visiting St John’s church, the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus itself and the museum. Ephesus is one of the world’s most impressive sites. Once the Roman capital of Asia, it was here that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession, St Paul came at the dawn of Christianity and the followers of Artemis rioted in protest. It is said that Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her last days nearby.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 8
Boat trip to Patmos including lunch and guide.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9
We leave Kusadasi and transfer to Izmir airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival we visit the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 10
Topkapi Palace, home of the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque and a museum, the underground Justinian Cistern nearby and the architecturally magnificent Blue Mosque.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 11
Free day in Istanbul. Opportunity to visit alternative places of interest which could include; Dolmabahce Palace, Archaeological Museum and Suleymaniye or maybe enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorous.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12
We visit the Chora Church before we transfer to the airport in Istanbul for our return flight to London Heathrow.

Itinerary subject to change

Price £1925 per person

What the price includes

• Flights from London Heathrow to Izmir via Istanbul and from Istanbul to London Heathrow (Details of flight numbers and times have not yet been finalised)
• Internal flight from Izmir to Istanbul
• Private chartered boat to Patmos
• Lunch and guide in Patmos
• Accommodation in good quality hotels in twin / double bedded rooms with private facilities on half board basis
• Transfer of passengers and baggage
• Sightseeing as in itinerary
• Services of a fully qualified English speaking guide
• Travel by air-conditioned coaches
• Entrance fees, gratuities (tips), service charges and porterage
• Port tax in Kusadasi
• Airport taxes
• ATOL Protection Contribution*

Not included in the price

• Travel from home to UK airport
• Lunches and drinks (except one lunch in Patmos)
• Single supplement £350 per person
• Turkish visa, currently free
• Any costs related to COVID19 testing (PCR and Serology testing etc), costs, if any have not yet been announced
• Travel insurance including COVID 19 cover Staysure

* APC (ATOL Protection Contribution) provides passenger protection via the ATTF (Air Travel Trust Fund). For further information visit www.caa.co.uk

HOW TO BOOK

Either click 'Book' at the top of this page or download, complete and return the booking form to:

Worldwide Christian Travel 36 Coldharbour Road, Bristol, BS6 7NA UK

Tel: 0117 973 1840

Worldwide Christian Travel has been organising Christian holidays and tours, mainly to the Holy Land, for over 50 years. We cover all aspects of travel and are one of the most comprehensive Christian travel organisers in the country. Worldwide Christian Travel is a trading name of Hadler Tours Limited.

General Information

Fitness
People of all ages are welcome, but, whatever your age, we must insist on a reasonable level of fitness. A number of sites involve rough walking.

Your Protection
Hadler Tours Limited is a member of ABTA with membership numbers 93522 & V2096. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you or if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 68-71 Newman Street London W1T 3AH Tel: 020 7637 2444 or visit www.abta.com.

All monies paid by you for the air holiday package shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3078. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.

Passports, Visas and Vaccinations
Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have a valid passport for travel to the relevant countries and that it is valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A Visa is required for British Passport holders visiting Turkey which can be obtained prior to travel. At the time this brochure went to press no vaccinations or inoculations are required for travel but you may wish to consult your own doctor for advice concerning this. If you have any queries regarding the above, we will be happy to help.

Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice please visit www.fco.gov.uk or call 0870 606 0290.

Further Information and Paying The Balance
Further information will be sent to you regarding any action that may be required approximately 12 weeks before departure. A final invoice will also be sent at this time and the balance for the tour must be paid at least 10 weeks before departure.

Travel Information
Full travel information, including details of meeting points, flight times, accommodation and travel information, will be sent to you approximately 2 weeks before departure. Normally, tickets are not issued but are handed to you at the airport or departure point by our representative who will be there to ensure that you depart without a hitch and to deal with any last minute difficulties.

Travel Insurance
It is compulsory to have travel insurance for your booking. Staysure have a range of policies available at very competitive prices. You can obtain a quote online by clicking here.

Gratuities
Our normal procedure is to deal with tips on a group basis and these are included in the price. The tour leader will distribute them to the guide, driver and hotels on your behalf. Individual tipping is not recommended unless the circumstances are exceptional.

Room Check In and Check Out Times
The standard international practice is to let rooms from midday to midday. However times do vary. Check-in times are usually between 2pm and 3pm, check-out times between 11am and 12 noon on the day of departure. Therefore, if you check-in immediately after a night flight this would normally count as one night’s accommodation. Similarly if your return flight is at night you will normally be required to vacate your room at 12 noon prior to leaving for the airport. Day rooms are subject to availability/cost and should be arranged locally with the accommodation management.

Page published June 2022