Turkey - Israel

Itinerary

Your itinerary will include the following. A detailed itinerary will be posted approximately 30 days from departure.

DAY 1: Izmir Turkey
Arrive Izmir. Free time in Izmir. Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 2: Izmir Turkey
Breakfast at the hotel and continue to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) First visit Asklepion (medical center of the ancient world). Then visit the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Royal Palace, Temple of Trajan, the steepest theater of the ancient world, Altar of Zeus. Continue to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) which was a commercial center, visit remains of a church and then return to Izmir. Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 3: Izmir Turkey
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit ancient Agora of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) Depart from Izmir to Ephesus, a cradle of early Christianity (Revelation 1:1; 2:1-7). Proceed to spectacular ruins from the period of Paul; see Odeon, Fountains, Temples; Library, Great theater and stadium. Temple of Artemis (one of the seventh wonders of the ancient world.) Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 4: Izmir Turkey/Pamukkale
Breakfast and check out of Izmir hotel. Visit Aphrodisias en route to Pamukkale (which was ancient Hierapolis mentioned at Colossians 4:13.) Visit the wonderful formations of stalactites and watch the Cataracts falling into the Basin at the bottom of the Mountain. Continue the tour with the ancient city of Hierapolis. Group dinner included, overnight in Pamukkale Hotel.

Day 5: Pamukkale/Izmir Turkey
Breakfast and check out of Pamukkale hotel. Early morning start with a visit to the ancient city of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). Continue to Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:7-13) Visit Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. See the Temple of Diana, the Golden River (Pactalos) and the royal road. Then visit the reconstructed synagogue and continue to Izmir for Group dinner included, overnight in Izmir hotel.

Day 6: Izmir/Kayseri Turkey
Breakfast and check out of Izmir hotel. Flight to Kayseri Airport (Cappadocia). Group dinner included, overnight in Cappadocia hotel.

Day 7: Cappadocia
Possibility to take hot air balloon ride (not included) at early morning (5 AM). Exploring Monastic center of Goreme, dark churches and Buckle church. Touring Pasabag Valley. Visit pottery town Avanos. Group dinner included.

Day 8: Cappadocia
Visit Kaymakli Underground city visit (cave dwellings), where the Christians lived protecting themselves from invaders. Visit to Sinassos. Group dinner included.

Day 9: Cappadocia/Istanbul
Breakfast and checkout from hotel. Flight from Kayseri Airport to to Istanbul.
Visit Grand Bazaar & Egyptian Spice Market. Group dinner included, overnight in Istanbul Hotel.

Day 10: Istanbul
Breakfast in Istanbul hotel. Visit Hagia Sophia Museum. Enjoy Bosphorus Cruise. Group Dinner and overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 11: Istanbul / Tel Aviv
Breakfast in Istanbul Hotel. Flight from Istanbul to Tel Aviv, Israel. Free time all day in Tel Aviv. Dinner at Tel Aviv hotel included.

Day 12: Tel Aviv
Breakfast in hotel. Tour Tel Aviv Bethel (If tours have resumed at Bethel). Tour Joppa; Visit Simon the Tanner’s “house” and walk down to Joppa’s ancient Port. Local cuisine for lunch, not included; after lunch visit the Valley of Elah (NEW) and then tour the Biblical Landscape Museum. Group dinner at Tel Aviv hotel included.

Day 13: Tel Aviv/Tiberias
Breakfast in hotel. Check out of Tel Aviv hotel. Visit beautiful Caesarea. Visit to Megiddo (lunch at Megiddo, not included). Guided tour of Nazareth Village – experience a memorable re-creation of Nazareth of 2000 years ago. Check into Tiberias hotel. Group dinner at Tiberias hotel included.

Day 14: Tiberias/Jerusalem
Breakfast in hotel, Tour the Sea of Galilee area: First a wonderful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes for a reading of the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Capernaum. Enjoy Galilee Fish lunch, not included. Visit ruins of the Synagogue of Magdala. Group dinner at Tiberias hotel included.

Day 15: Tiberias/Jerusalem
Breakfast in hotel. Check out of Tiberias hotel. Visit Jordan River site; Visit to Jericho. Lunch at Jericho site, not included. Take coach to Jerusalem to the Mt. of Olives, walk down to Garden of Gethsemane. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 16: Jerusalem
Breakfast in hotel. Early morning visit to Temple Mount. Visit Pools of Bethesda. Tour the Western Wall Tunnel. Local cuisine Lunch not included. Guided Bible tour of Israel Museum (we have our own theocratic guide), Shrine of the Book and the huge outdoor model of ancient Jerusalem. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 17: Jerusalem
Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy city walk, Visit Wohl Museum & Burnt House, continue to the City of David (enjoy excellent film of Jerusalem’s history). Visit to Gihon spring, Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam. Guided tour of Garden Tomb site. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 18: Jerusalem
Breakfast in hotel. Visit Masada, using the cable car. Enjoy floating in the Dead Sea. Conclude by visiting with old “Abraham” in his tent in the Judean Desert, including Camel ride and Biblical dinner.

Day 19: Jerusalem
Breakfast at Jerusalem Hotel. Flight home

All itineraries are subject to adjustment as required. Confirmed, final and detailed itineraries (and additional important travel details) are posted on your Personal BCT Travel Desktop, approximately one month from departure.