Lead Pastor – Calvary Chapel Palm City
Faculty – Calvary Chapel University
The day has arrived and we board our flight from our U.S. gateway city, beginning our overnight journey to Izmir, Turkey.
We arrive in Izmir and transfer to Kusadasi, a key port on the Aegean coast and our base for the coming days. After settling in, we gather for an orientation dinner and a welcome evening of rest. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. D.
After breakfast, we make our way to Kusadasi Port and board our charter boat for the island of Patmos — one of the most sacred destinations in all of Christendom. It was here, exiled by the Roman Emperor Domitian, that the Apostle John received the great visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. We visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, the grotto where John is believed to have received these revelations, and the magnificent Monastery of St. John the Theologian, which crowns the island’s highest hill and has stood watch over this holy place for nearly a thousand years. We return to Kusadasi Port by charter boat. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we begin the day at Miletus — the ancient port city where the Apostle Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus for his moving farewell address, knowing he would not see them again (Acts 20:17–38). The ruins of this once- great city speak powerfully of the world Paul moved through on his missionary journeys. We then make our way to Ephesus — one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. We explore the Great Theater, where the Ephesians rioted against Paul’s preaching (Acts 19), the magnificent Library of Celsus, and the Basilica of St. John, built over the tomb of the beloved Apostle. We continue to Izmir — the ancient Smyrna — where we explore the Roman Agora and reflect on the message to the Smyrnaeans in Revelation 2, a letter of encouragement to a church facing fierce persecution. Overnight Izmir. Hilton Garden Inn or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we drive north to Pergamum — the city Christ described as the place where Satan’s throne is (Revelation 2:13). We explore the dramatic Acropolis, the famous Altar of Zeus, and the site of one of the earliest Christian communities in Asia Minor. We continue to Thyatira, home to the church rebuked and encouraged in Revelation 2:18–29, before pressing on to Sardis, where we visit the remarkable ancient synagogue and gymnasium complex and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis — poignant reminders of the once-great city addressed by Christ as a church that had a reputation of being alive but was called to wake from its spiritual sleep. Overnight Pamukkale. Pam Thermal Hotel or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we visit Philadelphia — the city whose faithful church received one of the most encouraging letters in all of Revelation (Revelation 3:7–13) — before continuing to Laodicea, the prosperous city whose lukewarm church drew Christ’s most sobering rebuke (Revelation 3:14–22). Walking among its ruins, we gain a vivid sense of the wealth and self-sufficiency that led to such spiritual complacency. We then tour the extraordinary site of Hierapolis, perched above the famous travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Here we visit the ancient necropolis, the hot springs, and the martyrdom site of the Apostle Philip. Overnight Pamukkale. Pam Thermal Hotel or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we visit Colossae — the city to which Paul addressed one of his most theologically rich epistles, calling believers to the supremacy of Christ above every power and principality (Colossians 1:15–20). We then make our way to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached his first fully recorded sermon in the synagogue, boldly declaring the resurrection of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins to all who believe (Acts 13:14–41). It was here that Paul first turned deliberately to the Gentiles — a pivotal moment in the story of the church. Overnight Konya. Bayir Diamond Hotel or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we take our morning flight from Konya to Istanbul — the storied city that has stood at the crossroads of civilizations for millennia. We spend the afternoon exploring the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome, and, time permitting, the Topkapi Palace. Overnight Istanbul. Gonen Hotel or similar. B, D.
After breakfast, we board a private boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus — the legendary strait dividing Europe and Asia — taking in sweeping views of the city’s skyline, its minarets and palaces rising from both shores. We then visit the vibrant Spice Market, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, before the afternoon is given over to free time to explore this extraordinary city at your own pace. Your flight home may depart tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required (ie., if departing flight leaves after 2am on February 10): Overnight Istanbul. Gonen Hotel or similar. B, D.
Your flight home may depart the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, later today we will arrive back at home. Please note that flights from New York City (JFK) are included in the cost.
* If within 18 months of returning home from this familiarization trip you lead a group of 20+ paying travelers on a trip with Christian Expedition, not only will you travel for free on that trip, but we will also refund you what you have paid for this familiarization trip.
