Join us 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 in Izmir, where we meet our local guide and board our private motor coach for the transfer to our hotel. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Drive to Bergama to visit ancient Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Perched high above the modern town of Bergama, its impressive acropolis features the remains of its renowned ancient library, the Temple of Trajan, one of the steepest ancient theaters in the world, and the foundations of the Altar of Zeus. We also visit the Asclepion, the ancient healing center where the renowned physician Galen lived and practiced for many years. After exploring Pergamum, continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation, where we see the remaining Roman ruins in the heart of the modern city. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

Our morning begins with a visit to the ongoing excavations at the Smyrna Agora and ancient acropolis. Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11) was the city of the martyr Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John. 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 in the sixth century BC. We visit the restored gymnasium and reconstructed synagogue, the largest of the ancient Jewish diaspora. We also see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis, and the “golden” Pactolus River. On our way to the Lycus Valley, we visit the remains of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–13), the church given “an open door that no one is able to shut,” before continuing to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

We begin the morning with a visit to Hierapolis, home to the largest necropolis in Turkey. Near the theater, we see the newly excavated Martyrium of Philip. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:13), and the city’s famous hot springs and white travertine terraces provide a vivid backdrop for understanding the “lukewarm” water referenced in the letter to Laodicea. Next, we visit the new excavations at Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Revelation 3:14–22). We then drive to Colossae in the Lycus Valley to see the location of this yet-unexcavated ancient site. Paul wrote two letters associated with this city—Colossians and Philemon. We return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

Today, we drive to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached his first recorded sermon in the synagogue (Acts 13:13–52)—the fullest account we have of how Paul proclaimed the gospel to a Jewish audience. We explore the ruins of Pisidian Antioch, including St. Paul’s Church, the Augusteum, and the ancient aqueduct. We also visit the Yalvaç Museum before returning to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

We drive to Aphrodisias, where archaeological excavations led by New York University have unearthed numerous impressive marble statues. Here, we see the best-preserved stadium in Turkey, as well as the Temple of Aphrodite. If open, we may also visit the newly opened museum featuring statues from the Sebasteion. On our way to Kusadasi, we visit the ancient site of Magnesia (Tralles), with its forum and large stadium. We then continue to Kusadasi, a beautiful holiday town on the shores of the Aegean Sea, for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we drive to Miletus to see its well-preserved theater. At Miletus, Paul delivered his farewell address to the Ephesian elders near one of the city’s four harbors. As we approach Didyma, we visit the remains of the Sacred Way, which once linked Miletus to this ancient oracle site and the Temple of Apollo. The Temple of Apollo at Didyma is considered one of the finest temples in the Aegean region. We then continue to Priene, where we see the best-preserved Hellenistic theater in Turkey, along with the remains of a synagogue in the western residential district and the city’s bouleuterion. We return to Kusadasi for dinner and 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, where Paul spent nearly three years during his third missionary journey. We explore the Temple of Domitian, the Temple of Hadrian, the Celsus Library, and the impressive theater, which could seat approximately 24,000 people. We also tour the ongoing excavations at the terrace houses, where the wealthy and prominent residents of Ephesus once lived. Our visit continues at the excellent local archaeological museum and the site of the Temple of Artemis, the largest religious structure of the ancient world. We return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we drive to the airport in Izmir to return home challenged and refreshed in our faith.