Discover biblical Turkey with Pastor John Bonner. Did you know that Turkey has more than thirty biblical sites? Tour all seven churches of the Book of Revelation and the amazing city of Istanbul where ancient ways still prevail. Explore the amazing other-worldy landscape of the Cappadocia region and see cave homes and churches where early Christians sought safety and refuge amidst persecution. John will share from the Word on location as we delve into the New Testament and early church history together.

I invite you to pray about joining my wife, Pilar, and me for our “Seven Letters of Asia Minor Tour” in November 2026. Along with visiting the sites of the seven churches addressed in Revelation, we will also explore other important biblical locations in Turkey, including Antioch, Hierapolis, and Cappadocia. Our prayer is that, as we walk these lands together, the Lord would speak afresh to our hearts through His Word and the history of the early Church. If you sense the Lord may be leading you to come, please review the details and prayerfully consider registering, as space will be limited.

Travel insurance is optional but highly recommended. An opportunity to obtain insurance quotes and/or purchase a policy is offered to you at the completion of the registration process. For US residents who would like to obtain a quote and view policy options ahead of time, visit Travel Guard here:

https://partners.travelguard.com/buy?pcode=&ta_arc=347749&agencyemail=info@mayfairtravel.com&ta_initials=Website_Link

We can help you with air or you can get our own.  Please follow these parameters when purchasing your own air:

November 2: Arrive Izmir any time. Our first group event is dinner ~6:30PM at the hotel followed by a brief orientation meeting. Please note, you need to depart from the US no later than November 2 in order to arrive in Izmir by November 3.

November 11:  Depart Istanbul any time. Breakfast is included at the hotel.

The initial deposit is nonrefundable regardless of world events. All payments are nonrefundable in the event a tour participant cancels their own participation in the tour except as covered by the optional purchase of travel insurance with a cancellation benefit. Insurance is available as part of the registration process on this site.

In the event that the tour has to be rescheduled due to a Force Majeure occurence such as war or pandemic, the tour will be rescheduled to a later date.  Mayfair Travel will work with all suppliers to negotiate all funds transferred to the new dates.  If this occurs, all options for travel credit and/or refunds will be presented to all travelers based on the policies in effect at the time.

Please note that your group trip cost is being offered at a cash/check discount. Credit card payments will be billed at non-discounted (2.9-3.9% additional) rate. You can pay through this portal with your bank account details (routing and account number) or send checks to the office address. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. 

If you would like assistance purchasing flights for this trip, you can obtain personalized quotes here: 

https://form.jotform.com/243575958268273

Fly to Izmir, Turkey on overnight flights from North or South America.

Air is not included in the land only price. Please note, you must depart the USA no later than November 2 in order to arrive in Izmir on November 3.

Arrive in Izmir. Our tour begins this evening with a welcome dinner and orientation meeting.

Refer to our published flight parameters for the time of the complimentary airport transfer once flights are available ~9 months prior to the trip.

Hotel 3 nights Kaya Thermal Hotel in Izmir

Tour the expansive ruins of Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the New Testament (Revelation  2:1-7). The Apostle Paul came here in 53 AD. and according to tradition, the Apostle John wrote his gospel here. Visit the archaeological site and the Basilica and tomb of John the Evangelist.

After breakfast, drive to Pergamon, the church that Christ affirmed and rebuked (Revelation 2:12-17) with His famous statement “where Satan has his throne." Pergamon was the capital of a Hellenistic kingdom of that name, which ruled western Asia Minor. Then, head to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira, birthplace of Lydia and of the New Testament Jezebel. The church at Thyatira was praised for its growing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel (Revelation 2:18-28).

After breakfast, drive to the ruins of biblical Smyrna, a city founded in 3,000 BC and the churches that Jesus referred to as the poor and persecuted church that God announced was rich (Revelation 2:8-11). We will then visit Sardis, an ancient militarily strong city located along an important highway and among the fertile plains of Hermus (Geldiz River). Although Sardis  was a powerful and wealthy city with a reputation for being alive, God announced that it was actually dead (Rev 3:1-6).

This afternoon visit the modern city of Alasehir and visit the site of ancient Philadelphia, the church that received God's highest praise (Rev 3: 7-13). Here we will see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built with brick and adorned with 11th century frescoes. Visit the ancient city and church of Laodicea, where the apostle John rebuked the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Rev 3:14-22).

Hotel 1 night Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale

Visit  the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a city significant to the early church. Recently this city was declared a “World Heritage Site” and placed under the protection of UNESCO. Here you can also wade in thermal pools fed by hot springs and marvel at white cliffs created by calcium deposits.

Continue towards the city of Yalvac to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia, where Paul "turns to the Gentiles" in his teachings.

Hotel 1 night in Bayir Diamond Hotel in Konya

After breakfast, drive to Cappadoccia and enjoy the beautiful, other-worldly landscape of this region where early Christians hid from persecution. Visit the Kaymaklı Underground City and see the cave houses and churches of the early Christians.

Hotel 1 night Utopia Cave Resort in Cappadocia

This morning we will explore the Goreme Monastic Center. This open-air museum is filled with picturesque rock-hewn churches and chapels adorned with colorful Byzantine frescoes. We will then head to Ortahisar to discover its beautiful valleys and stop at the Three Beauties, the most famous of the region's many conical rock formations.

We will also walk through the Zelve Valley and see its hundreds of houses and chapels carved into the rock. We will also visit the Pasabag Valley, also known as the Valley of the Monks, to explore its tower-shaped hermitages. Continue to Kayseri  Airport and fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Istanbul.

Optional activity: morning Hot air balloon ride

Hotel: 2 nights Barcelo Hotel, Istanbul or similar

First, we'll stroll through Hippodrome Square, the ancient sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted chariot races during Roman times. Then we will pass by the famed blue mosque to visit the dome-shaped masterpiece, the Hagia Sophia. This afternoon we'll have some free time to shop at Istanbul's famous spice market, huge covered market that houses a labyrinth of streets lined with shops selling spices, coffee, jewelry, leather goods, and many other handcrafted souvenirs.

Fly home with memories that last a lifetime.