Istanbul to Seven Churches of Asia Minor 4 Nights in 4 Star Hotels

We booked our 9-days tour to Istanbul, Gallipoli/Troy to the 7 churches including Hierapolis from OnTheGo tours and their local partner Crowded Tours from Dec. 20-28. Our tour guides: Esra Reh (1st 4 days) and Mert (last 5 days) were knowledgeable, organized, caring, accommodating, patient and fun!! They both exceeded our expectations! They are the best! With Esra, we went to Istanbul, Gallipoli, Canakkale, the church ruins of Pergamum and Ephesus. I have mobility issue so she helped me also walk safely and reminded me when to bring my walking stick. Esra, also helped arrange a private transportation to the House of Mary while we were in Ephesus so we can attend a Christmas Eve mass. This was not part of our original itinerary. Our group of 6 Filipinos truly appreciated her voluntary support, so we did not miss an indeed memorable Christmas Eve in Ephesus; and, having her join us that evening was so precious! Not to mention, Esra also helped one of us when the luggage was delayed (almost lost actually by KLM). We went to 5 out of 7 churches with Mert: Smyrna, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardis and Laodicea, and to Hierapolis. Mert is a graduate of Archeology and a local guide who specialized in the 7-churches of Asia Minor tour. In every ancient church that we visited with him, Mert read the Letters for Jesus Christ from the Book of Revelation to each church and told us also historical facts. The reading of the Scripture was very meaningful and unforgettable to me, because the Bible came to life in those Biblical and historical places! I was emotional and overwhelmed with gratitude to God to allowing me to see those Biblical places where Paul and the Apostles lived, stayed and walked! To God be the glory! We also went to Hierapolis, Pamukkale Travertine and the Temple of Artemis with Mert . He and and our driver Ali, also stopped at the Basilica of St. John along our way back to Ephesus. This was not part of our itinerary but a favor granted to me. Esra also gave us souvenirs from Sirince. Throughout the tour we had safe drivers also: Ali (#1) with Esra, Ali (#2) and Haydar with Mert. Having chargers in the 1st van on the 1st leg of the tour was a plus! The airport transfers with Mr. Mustafa and his driver was also smooth. Mr. Haydar, especially was so sweet and caring. He was a proud citizen of Izmir. He even gave us souvenirs from his city and farm. Thank you! Mert brought us to local and family owned restaurant in Izmir-Kusadasi-Pamukkale area. Turkish food: kebabs, meatballs, the pide (my fave is Tahini pide) and Simit and the drinks: Turkish coffee, Turkish tea and freshly squeezed fruit drinks - all are delicious and refreshing - "lezzetli" inded!. They have become my fave> I highly recommend the 7-churches of Asia Minor tour! And if you can, request for Esra Reh and for Mert (of Crowded Tours) as your tour guides. They will probably bring our awesome drivers too. Overall, Türkiye is a beautiful country crossroad of Asia and Europe, it is clean and safe too! The best part of Türkiye aside from the archeological and historical sites, are the Turks!! God willing, we will return to visit other cities in Türkiye someday.... Until then Tesekurrler! Gule Gule!

Excellent planning in terms of flights and hotels. The tour itself was great, the tour guide Olgu was friendly and very knowledgable.

Over all this was a very memorable experience. I had a different view of Turkey but now it has been changed since I meet lovely people. The driver ( Taner) and the tour guide (Olgu) made it very easy for us, always caring for us and making sure that we were safe. I would strongly recommend their service. In fact we were sad to say good bye.