Join NoVA Community Church for a transformative biblical expedition through Turkey, where ancient history and sacred scriptures come to life. Explore key sites of early Christianity, walk in the footsteps of apostles, and immerse yourself in rich biblical history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures on this unforgettable spiritual journey.

The heart of this expedition is to empower you to become the disciple God is calling you to be. By better understanding the world of the Bible, you will better understand the words of the Bible, transforming your ability to study it, do what it teaches, and share it with others.

Our expeditions, led by an experienced team of expertly trained guides, offer the finest travel experiences, providing you the peace of mind that everything down to the smallest detail has been taken care of so you can immerse yourself in the journey, encounter God, and be empowered to better understand the words of the Bible by exploring its world.

• Walk in the footsteps of Paul and the early church in Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis—where scripture, archaeology, and faith come together.
• Explore key early Christian sites like Pergamum, Sardis, and Thyatira—each connected to the Seven Churches of Revelation.
• Discover Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean, including the Celsus Library, Domitian Temple, Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Artemis.
• Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Underground Cisterns—iconic symbols of Byzantine and Ottoman history in the heart of Istanbul.
• Sail the Bosphorus Strait on a scenic boat tour, taking in panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline and the meeting point of Europe and Asia.
• Experience the white thermal terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, featuring Turkey’s largest necropolis and the martyrium of St. Philip.

Begin your journey as we depart from the United States on an overnight international flight to Turkey.

Arrive at Istanbul International Airport, where you’ll be met by your guide and private luxury motor coach. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner as we begin our journey together. 

Our day begins with a visit to the iconic Blue Mosque, known for its six minarets and ornate interior. We’ll explore the Archaeological Museum and Museum of the Ancient Orient, which house remarkable Near Eastern artifacts—including the Jerusalem Temple Inscription and Hezekiah’s Tunnel inscription. Then we’ll tour the magnificent Hagia Sophia, once the largest church in Christendom, and conclude with a walk through the mysterious Underground Cisterns. At the end of the day you'll enjoy dinner and unwind at the hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, taking in sweeping views of both the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. Visit the vibrant Spice (Egyptian) Market before driving to Çanakkale, where you will enjoy dinner and stay overnight.

Our morning begins with visiting the legendary site of Troy. Made famous by Homer in the Iliad, we visit the ruins of Troy and see a replica of the famous “Wooden Horse.” From Troy, we travel to Alexandria Troas (Acts 16:6-10; 20:13-16) to visit the harbor and the new excavation area. Our day concludes visiting the site of Assos (where Paul stopped on his third missionary journey; Acts 20:13-14). We drive to our hotel in Dikili for dinner and stay overnight.

Travel north to Bergama to explore ancient Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Highlights include the acropolis, the ancient library, the Trajan Temple, the steepest theater in Turkey, and the foundation of the Altar of Zeus. Visit the healing center of the Asclepium, where the physician Galen once practiced. Later, continue to Thyatira to see its Roman remains in the heart of the modern city. After a group dinner at the renowned Tavacı Recep Usta, you’ll return to your hotel for the night.

Our morning begins by visiting the ongoing excavations at the Smyrna agora and the ancient acropolis. We then drive to Sardis (Sart), one of the most picturesque sites of the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 1:11; 3:1-4) and the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom of the 6th century BC. We visit the restored gymnasium and reconstructed synagogue. We will also see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis, and the ‘golden’ river Pactolos. On our way to the Lychus Valley, we visit the few remains of Philadelphia, before continuing to Pamukkale. At the end of the day, you'll enjoy dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

We begin the morning visiting Hierapolis that features the largest necropolis in Turkey. Near its theater in Hierapolis, we will always see the newly excavated martyrium of Philip. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his letter to the Colossians. Next, we will visit the new excavations at Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches. Then we will drive to Colossae in the Lycus Valley to see the location of the unexcavated site. Paul wrote two letters to this city – Colossians and Philemon. After a full day of discovery, return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Drive to Aphrodisias, where archaeological excavations led by the New York University have unearthed numerous fine marble statues. We will see the best-preserved stadium in Turkey as well as the temple of Aphrodite. We will also visit the newly opened museum that features statues from the Sebasteion. On our way to Kusadasi, we visit the ancient site of Magnesia (Tralles) with its forum and large stadium. Continue to Kusadasi, the holiday town on the shores of the Aegean Sea. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a peaceful night at your hotel nestled along the Aegean Sea.

This morning, we drive to Miletus to see the well-preserved theater. At Miletus Paul delivered his speech to the Ephesian elders near one of its four harbors. As we approach Didyma, we will visit the remains of the Sacred Way that linked Miletus to this ancient oracle site at the Temple of Apollo. The Temple to Apollo at Didyma is the finest temple in the Aegean region. At Priene, we will see the best-preserved Hellenistic theater in Turkey. We will also view the remains of a synagogue in the west residential district and the city’s

bouleterion. At the end of our day we will return to the hotel for dinner and stay overnight.

This morning, we visit the ancient site of Ephesus. Located near the modern town of Selçuk, Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city of the eastern Mediterranean. Paul spent nearly three years in the city during his third journey. At Ephesus, we will see the Domitian Temple, the Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and a theater with a seating capacity for 24,000 people. We will also tour the ongoing excavations at the terrace houses where the rich and famous of Ephesus lived. We will also visit the excellent local archaeological museum, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, the largest religious structure of the ancient world. Return to the Charisma Deluxe Hotel for dinner and overnight.of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and a theater with a seating capacity for 24,000 people. We will also tour the ongoing excavations at the terrace houses where the rich and famous of Ephesus lived. We will also visit the excellent local archaeological museum, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, the largest religious structure of the ancient world. Return to the hotel for dinner and stay overnight.

This morning, transfer to the airport in Izmir for your domestic flight to Istanbul and onward return to the United States, bringing your unforgettable biblical journey through Turkey to a close.