Turkey

Turkey is a colourful and fascinating mixture of ancient and modern. Its delightful weather, picturesque towns and beautiful coastline make this country an interest-packed setting for an Oak Hall tour.

Each day we have an interesting itinerary planned, which takes us to a range of amazing locations. We fly first to Izmir, and explore the sites of the seven churches of Revelation, staying in three-star hotels with en-suite rooms as we tour through this interesting part of Turkey. We then fly back to Istanbul to explore all that the city has to offer.

British Citizens no longer require a visa to visit Turkey for tourism. 

The Oak Hall team member will work with our local guide as we visit Istanbul, as well as the sites of the Seven Churches listed in the book of Revelation, a book which comes alive as we see how these locations relate to the Bible’s message. Pergamon is an amazing site that contained a 10,000-seat theatre and a library with 200,000 books. The best views are from the Acropolis, 400m above the valley plain.

Please note that the nature of the sites we visit means there is regular walking involved in the tour. 

Pamukkale is a beautiful, natural site, which is the only one of its kind in the world. Hot thermal springs have formed a dazzling white landscape of basins and cascading water, known as the ‘cotton castles’.
 
Other highlights of our tour include visits to Hierapolis and Laodicea, on opposite sides of the valley, and Thyatira, the home of Lydia, the businesswoman from the book of Acts.

Turkey has an attractive coastline, which we will be able to sample from our hotel in the coastal city of Kusadasý. During our time here we explore Ephesus, one of the most famous historical sites in the world. The apostle Paul was prevented by his friends from preaching to a rioting crowd in the theatre in Ephesus, which is well preserved and seated 25,000 people. Our visits also include St. John’s Basilica and the Temple of Artemis.

Istanbul (Constantinople) has been the main city of both Christianity and Islam at different stages in its history. Both have left striking monuments for us to explore, such as Hagia Sophia, sitting opposite the Blue Mosque. Located right on the border between Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus river acting as the dividing line, Istanbul is an intriguing mix of cultures. From the tree-lined, modern shopping streets to the ancient markets, including its amazing covered bazaar, it is a city that is well worth exploring.

In Istanbul we stay on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing us to explore the wide range of interesting options available for our evening meal. 

The land of Turkey has a special kind of people who bring together the cultures of East and West, Europe and Asia, and retain the best from both of them – a people who combine hospitality with friendly laughter.
 
This is a tour packed with sights and visits to make the most of our time away, with a free day in the middle. We meet each evening to hear a helpful Bible talk.