9-Day Turkey Bible Legacy Tour: 7 Churches from the Book of Revelation
Turkey contains countless legacies from the early days of Christianity. In this tour, you will visit important places that find mention in the scriptures of the New Testament, especially the Seven Churches of Revelation. Each has a story to tell. From Istanbul to Izmir, you will travel with a private guide and learn about these sacred sites in Turkey.
Days
9
Price
from US$2,920 p/p
Best For
First-timers, Believers
Best Time
Apr. to Oct.
Tour Highlights




China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Our trip to Li Jiang and Shaxi Yunnan
We arrived at Lijiang on 9/8. We enjoyed the time in Lijiang a lot with good hotel selection and a well planned program. We went onto Shaxi for the local singing festival of the local minority groups. It was a fantastic experience. What makes the trip most memorable is our guide Alice. She took excellent care of us, anticipating our every need. She was personable, warm and very knowledgeable. We shared many laughters and traded stories. She brought smiles to us during the entire trip. We will specifically ask for her again when we come back to Yunnan. Five star service. More
Consumer,
Sep 2023
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Great trip around Shanghai
This was our first time ever visiting Shanghai so we wanted to see good places to go to and good food to eat in Shanghai. That's why we booked with China Highlights. They're very responsive and quick to arrange our 3 day trip. Our guide name is Qi and she is a very sweet and helpful person. She knew we wanted to explore many local foods, so she brought us some local breakfast foods when she picked us up from our hotel, just so we can try everything! She was knowledgeable as well about the culture and history of the places we went to. Will definitely recommend this tour and use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! More
Sherry,
Sep 2023
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Great way to see the city
Private tour with China highlights made seeing Xi'an super easy. We saved a lot of time with a private driver, and our guide Jenny took really good care of us, sending instructions for where to meet once getting off the train and made everything feel really safe and easy. She also accommodated a number of last minute changes to our itinerary without batting an eye. She was very patient, knowledgeable and friendly. It was great having a guide who grew up locally in the area to show us around (which is not always the case, from my previous experiences elsewhere). Would definitely recommend! More
Stephanie N,
Sep 2023
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One Day Beijing Trip (Great Wall, Summer Palace) With Jennifer
My tour guide Jennifer made this quick one day trip to Beijing great! The day started out a bit overcast and rainy when I landed, but Jennifer’s positive attitude and kind communication (along with her being able to keep up/put up with my jokes) made it fine.Despite this, Jennifer and our driver Chen were able to swing an extra photo shoot stop at the Olympic Stadium. I guess it gives me an excuse to come back to visit again, and when I do - I will use China Highlights and this great fantastic team. More
Alan Landau,
Sep 2023
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Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide!
Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide! She is extremely informative all the way through. She knows hers stuff and she is also enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and very willing to help. The whole day was perfect. A great amount of walking and a lots of physical activity ( hiking) and she was all smiling, accommodating and keeping us informative. She was absolutely the best tour guide we've ever encountered in China. Her English is perfect! Everything was so well organized. Her knowledge of the local culture and history is impressive. Fantastic More
pdaroundthewrorld,
Sep 2023
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Best Great Wall experience
Used China Highlights for a private all-day tour of Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. One of the best days of my life! Tour guide Alan and a driver met me at my hotel and the ride was very comfortable. Alan was extremely knowledgable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with him. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful; this is a less touristy portion of the Wall. The hiking was fun, Alan brought plenty of water, and showed me things I would not have noticed by myself. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch that Alan had arranged - delicious! Once in a lifetime experience. More
LZviajera,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful experience!
Our tour guide was Mervyn, and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of Xi'an and the silk road, and we learned so many things we didn't know before. The Muslim quarter is a must-see, with so many streets of food. Terracotta warriors were breathtaking. We did a Hanfu experience and enjoyed walking the city at night in our tang Dynasty outfits. We wish we spent more than 2 days here as there's so much to do. Definitely recommend this tour and will be visiting again! More
Laura A,
Sep 2023
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Unforgettable trip to Guilin
We enjoyed an incredible two day trip in Guilin, taking a brief half-day boat cruise on the Li River and cycling around Yangshuo in the afternoon with our guide Gary. Gary met us at the airport and made us feel very welcome, providing us with five-star service. He gave us a lot of insight about Guilin and the Guangxi region and even gave us a tai chi lesson on the boat. He provided us excellent dining suggestions for the evening as well as suggestions of things to do. Thank you Gary for making our trip to Guilin so memorable! More
Regis B,
Sep 2023
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
We were paired with great guides on every city, very knowleadgeble and hardworking people that made our trip fabulous. Jack in Beijing was brilliant and very resourceful making sure we enjoyed the city even when he wasn't with us. In Xi'An we were paired with Crystal that was incredibly smart and made sure we felt we had not only a guide but a friend to rely on in Xi'An, we loved how she made sure we tried the best food and fruit available and helped us from arrival to departure from Xi'An. Finally, kudos to Gary (Wei Li) that worked with us in Guiling and Yangshuo. Gary is a local to Guiling and truly proud of his city and origins. We learned a lot from him and he trully went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time in Guiling adjusting the itinerary to our liking and taking time to explain everything. On our flight out of Guiling we had a bit of an issue with our tickets (booked by ourselves) and Gary promptly lent a hand to help us sort it out with the airport staff, trully a champion. If you are heading to Guiling with Chinahighlights, make sure to have Gary as your guide. More
Moises,
Sep 2023
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Amazing tour!
Our guide, Linda, was by far the best person to have for our tours of The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall. She was an encyclopedia with great knowledge of Chinese History and was able to explain every detail of what we were seeing. She picked us up with a very nice car and driver from our hotel both days, at the time most convenient to us, and dropped us back off wherever we wanted at the end of our tours. Both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are marvels of human and Chinese achievements and are a must to see in Beijing. Visiting them both with a tour guide that feels more like a friend was certainly helping enjoying it even more. More
Robin Z,
Sep 2023
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Stunning Yellow Mountain and beautiful Ancient Villages
We had the most fantastic experience with our tour guide, Jack Fan, who is very knowledgeable about the Yellow Mountain and was able to get us quickly to the most stunning highlights. He was our "photographer" anytime we wanted a photo and that was very often. We made the most of our time having him guiding us. He was truly the mountain man as he is a local there. He is very passionate about what he does. He loves history, nature, and travel, which is a must for a guide. He provided historical facts about the stunning Ancient villages at Hong Cun and Xidi. He answered any questions we had about history, nature, and current things we had. I felt like he was a professor, and we were his students in a very good way. He was NEVER late, and neither was our driver. They never bought us anywhere to "sell" us things. He took us to buy tea only when we asked to buy a specific tea, staying much later than he should have! I wanted to check out lotus and rice fields, which was not on the itinerary, but he squeezed it in for us. We were very well taken care of. I highly recommend Jack for a tour guide who speaks English. More
annemompt,
Sep 2023
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An Unforgettable Tibetan Adventure - Qinghai Train Ride Y971
I recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Tibet, a land steeped in mysticism and rich cultural heritage. My train trip on the famous scenic Qinghai route on train Y971 Lhasa played a significant role in making this trip an extraordinary experience.Upon my arrival in Lhasa via an overnight train, I was warmly welcomed by the guide assigned Tenzin Lhatse. He had waited for more than 3 hours as he was not informed there was a change in the train schedule. Nontheless, it did not dampen his warm attitude and the seamless transferfrom the train station to the hotel set a positive tone for my stay.The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the visit to the iconic Potala Palace. The sheer grandeur and architectural brilliance of this historic site left me in awe. The guidance of my knowledgeable tour guide, who revealed the stories behind each shrine, enriched my experience. However, the strict visitor limits and rules underscored the importance of preserving this ancient marvel. The Old Barkhor Street Walking Tour was a journey through time. From Jokhang Temple to the bustling local market, each stop offered insights into Tibetan daily life and folk customs. The Pandatsang Compound's history and the cup of Tibetan sweet tea at Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery added unique flavors to the tour.Overall, my journey through Tibet was an incredible odyssey into a world of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. I'm glad to have taken this step with my wife to challenge the train ride which was totally worthy of this lifetime. More
GOH-family-tours,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful trip to the Chinese Silk Road
Special shout out to our guide for the Gansu leg, Helen, who was the most caring guide we have come across in all of our travels. Make sure you ask for her! More
ED,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic first trip in Shanghai
My partner and I were visiting China for the first time. Our tour guide was Martin, who was friendly and very knowledgeable. He adjusted the tour to our needs and gave us an extensive tour of Shanghai as well as many fascinating insights on China. He also went above and beyond and offered us plenty of recommendations on what to do in the evenings, how to get there, and even made bookings for us. Martin, thanks again! More
Regis,
Sep 2023
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Yangshuo is magical from the misty…
The guide Lily has a great knowledge in hidden gems and the history about the places. Very memorable experience that i have thanks to them. More
Dony Yugo,
Sep 2023
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Beijing is AMAZING
Linda Wang our amazing tour guide helped us to have an unforgettable trip to all the best of Beijing. From organizing the driver (also excellent) to drop us/pick us up exactly when we were leaving busy tourist sites, excellent food recommendations, fascinating knowledge relevant to us and our children (13yo and 11yo) making The Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo and The Hutongs thoroughly enjoyable. Handling all the entrance/exit passport and ticket requirements, interpreting, answering any questions we had about local culture, we were so comfortable and happy, never rushed, everything you could want and more. More
Michelle A,
Sep 2023
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Incredible 2 day tour of Jiuzhaiguo
Our tour guide Mary spoke perfect English, was so nice to us and took us to all the best sights in Jiuzhaiguo. It was an unforgettable tour with incredible views! More
Declan O,
Sep 2023
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Helen is the best Panda tour guide going around!
I had a fantastic Panda tour with Helen in Chengdu City. From the moment she picked me up, my energy was low from a heap of travelling, but Helen quickly brought me up a notch with her breathtaking passion for Pandas. Not only did she provide a fantastic experience accommodating my every need, but she was also a genuinely kind and joyful company to tour the city with. I can't recommend Helen enough - you won't regret it! More
Isaac C,
Sep 2023
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Two days in Xi’an
What an amazing few days in Xi’an! Our guide Jenny was first class - very knowledgeable and very helpful, she went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience like ordering us coffees & food and booking dinners for us. The highlight was of course visiting the Terracotta Warriors, but we also really enjoyed visiting a local family to make dumplings. Can’t recommend this trip and Jenny enough! More
Marvin K,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic experiences in Guilin and the beautiful surroundings together with Vincent.
Lib230524097 More
Go44854472794,
Sep 2023
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Itinerary Details
The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Send us details of your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.
Arrive in Istanbul, the city that connects Asia and Europe. Your private guide will be waiting, ready to escort you to the hotel. Have a good rest, and get ready to start your New Testament tour!
Hotel Options:
Best Western Empire Palace (4 star)
Legacy Ottoman Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
You have a full day to relish the ancient history of Istanbul. The first stop for the day is the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the venue where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Continue to the Blue Mosque and find out why it has been given that name.
Next, be swept away by Hagia Sophia, the largest cathedral in the world. Try to discover the secret of the Sweating Column (also known as the Wishing Column) and visit the largest baptistery in the world.
Your tour guide will take you to Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and now houses riches from 700 years ago. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, which is a world-famous shopping arcade with over 4,000 shops under one roof.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, take a flight to Izmir, which was once known as Smyrna. The Archaeological Museum is filled with artifacts dating back to the very first days of ancient Smyrna.
Kadifekale (Velvet Castle) offers an unbeatable view of the city, and if you go there around the time of ezzan (the call to prayer), you can experience the waves of the call to prayer passing over the city.
You can also visit the Izmir Clock Tower in Konak Square. This is a picturesque area near the main entrance to the bazaar. Spend some time there and sip a cold drink.
Explore Kemeralti Bazaar, which is not only a historical area more than 300 years old, but also one of the best places to shop in Izmir.
Meal included: breakfast and lunch
Smyrna was the old name of Izmir, mentioned in Revelation 2:8-11. When people refused to worship the Roman gods, the town suffered, and people were persecuted. You will see St. Polycarp Church from the outside and visit the ruins of Agora.
A 2½-hour drive will take you to Bergama (Pergamum) (Revelation 2:12-17), where you will find "Satan's throne". Pergamum was once a very significant city. Even today, you can see the former glory of the city reflected in the ruins.
Entering the Acropolis, you will see the ruins of the palaces of kings and the holy Square of Athena. Visit the Asclepeion, the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing. You will also see the Temple of Zeus, the ruins of the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Trajan, the Theater of Pergamum, and the gymnasium. Continue to the Red Basilica, which was built in the 2nd century and converted from a pagan temple to a Christian church building in the 4th or 5th century.
Stay overnight in Bergama in a cozy boutique hotel.
Hotel Options:
Aristonicus Boutique Hotel
Attalos Suites Hotel
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
You will visit the locations of three churches from the Book of Revelation — Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia on Day 5 of your tour. After breakfast, drive to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29), which used to be a center of trade and commerce, famous for the purple dyes used in the cloth industry there.
Visit the location of the church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), the capital of ancient Lydia. Jesus noted the wealth and fame of this city saying, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) was the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Visit the still-standing remains of an old church building and the city walls.
After the tour, head for Pamukkale, and stay overnight there.
Hotel Options:
Melrose House Hotel 4 star
Hal-Tur Hotel 5 star
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
In the morning, enjoy the fantastic landscape of the white pool in Pamukkale. Spend some time there taking photos and then head to Hierapolis.
Hierapolis is the city where Saint Phillip was martyred around AD 80. Remarkably, much of the town remains even today, and we can see clearly what daily life in the Roman Theater in Hierapolis would have been like. Hierapolis is probably one of the best-preserved theaters of the ancient world. It was also considered a medicinal center in 200 BC due to the natural hot springs in the region.
Afterward, go to Laodicea to visit the church to which Jesus spoke, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock'' (Revelation 3:20-21). The churches of Laodicea and Colossae once thrived under the care of Epaphras. This is a large site with many remains, including the main columned street.
Drive to Kusadasi and enjoy a relaxing night in a seaside hotel.
Hotel Options:
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel (4 star)
Le Bleu Hotel & Resort Kusadasi (5 star)
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
You will visit the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), where Saint Paul ministered. You can still witness the glory of its past from its well-preserved ruins. Strolling down the street, you can imagine what life may have been like during those times. In Ephesus, you will see the Agora, the great Library of Celsus, and the grand amphitheater that seated 250,000 people. Many streets, shopfronts, and the latrines are still almost intact, and you will find the remains of the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of Saint John within the Ephesus city limits.
Say goodbye to Ephesus, take a flight to Cappadocia, and enjoy a night in a lovely cave hotel.
Hotel Options:
Urgup Evi Cave Hotel 4 star
Taru Cave Suites 5 star
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Start your day with a visit to Goreme Panorama, which offers a splendid view of the village of Goreme, the land of fairy chimneys. You will be fascinated by the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which is the biggest monastery complex in the region. Continue to Ortahisar, a typical village with a castle and caves for food storage.
Afterward, you will visit one of the highlights of the trip — Pasabag, or the Fairy Chimney Valley, with its mushroom-like rock formations. Passing through the Imagination Valley (Devrent Valley), you will see many rock formations in the shape of various animals.
Later in the day, enjoy an open buffet lunch in a restaurant.
Finally, take a walk by the Red River in Avanos, which is famous for its pottery cave workshops dating back thousands of years to the Hittites. On the way back to your hotel, visit Love Valley, which offers a magnificent view.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Your visit will start with Uchisar Castle, a mountain fortress built centuries ago. You will be amazed by Kaymakli Underground City, which served for many centuries as a refuge for the local people and saved early Christians from Roman persecution.
Finally, you will visit Pigeon Valley with its lovely pigeons still living in dovecotes. It has a beautiful view of Uchisar Castle.
This is the end of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Optional Addition to Enrich Your Tour
Hot-air balloon ride: This experience will be a happy ending for your tour! Ride in a hot-air balloon and enjoy panoramic views of Goreme. We will make sure you get window seats in the hot-air balloon so that you can genuinely enjoy the breath-taking view.
Trip Notes
Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas, and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.
1. Accommodation
Many types of accommodation are available, including 5-star hotels, superior 4-star hotels, best value 3-star hotels, and popular boutique hotels in various Turkish styles. We will select the perfect one for you.
2. Transportation
Turkey is a large country, so we usually arrange flights between the destinations to make your travel comfortable and time-efficient. Please tell us if you prefer to travel by train instead of by flights.
3. Meals
Lunch will be at popular local restaurants so that you can taste authentic Turkish food. Your guide will assist you in ordering the best dishes.
Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free — all of your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. Let us know if you have any of these nutritional requirements when you make your booking.
Price: from US$2,920 p/p, Tour code: gh-tk-rl
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day. Over 50% of our clients complete their bookings within 10 days of submitting their inquiry.
Why Travel with Global Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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