11 Day Tour

DATES: March 13 - 23, 2027

PRICE: $4,835 per person (price without air)

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,395

I would love for you to join us on an extraordinary journey to Turkey, the land of the early church, where we will explore Istanbul and the seven churches of Revelation. On this tour, we will journey through ancient Asia Minor and visit many of the places we read about in the New Testament. We’ll explore the historic city of Istanbul, originally Constantinople, and visit the sites of each of the seven churches that St. John wrote to in the book of Revelation.   Traveling along the Aegean Coast, we will study John’s letters in their historic context, giving us insights into some of the ways Revelation can challenge and encourage the church today. We'll also visit locations where much of the Apostle Paul’s ministry took place, and in Istanbul we'll delve into the history of the early church.

Throughout our journey, we will reflect on the biblical significance of each site, study Scripture together, share in moments of worship, and enjoy fellowship around the table. As we walk through the places where the earliest Christians lived out their faith, often in the midst of tremendous cultural pressure and persecution, the words of Scripture take on new depth and meaning.

Whether you have traveled with us before or this will be your first Footstep Ministries tour, we invite you to join us for a deeply meaningful journey through the lands of the early church. Our time together will be filled with learning, laughter, worship, fellowship, and the joy of experiencing the biblical world in a whole new way.

We hope you will prayerfully consider being part of this unforgettable journey with us. Space is limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot soon! If you have any questions or would like more details, please feel free to reach out.

We can’t wait to walk in the footsteps of the early church with you!

In Christ,

David Sparks
Founder of Footstep Ministries

• Accommodations – Carefully selected first-class/superior tourist hotels (double occupancy, private bath) chosen for comfort and location. Hotel taxes and service charges are included. (Single room upgrade available at additional cost.) 

• Daily Meals – Meals as indicated in the day-by-day itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner). Expect hot buffet breakfasts, thoughtfully arranged group dinners, and select lunches that highlight regional cuisine.

• All Scheduled Land Transportation – Deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach with professional driver for all group transfers and touring listed in the itinerary. 

• Sightseeing & Entrance Fees – Admission to all sites, museums, and activities specifically noted in the itinerary.

• Hosted Teaching & Spiritual Reflection – Guided devotional moments, Scripture readings, and site talks led by David Sparks, helping you connect place, story, and faith. 

• All Gratuities – Prepaid tips for hotel staff, restaurant service on included meals, local guides, and drivers, so you can relax and simply say “thank you.”

• Baggage Handling – 1 piece of luggage per traveler transferred between bus and hotel room.

• Headsets / Whisper Devices – Personal audio headsets so you can hear your guide clearly. 

• Pre-Trip Preparation Materials – Digital travel notes, packing tips, reading plan, and spiritual preparation resources sent in advance.

• On-Tour Support – Full-time Footstep Ministries tour host team available throughout the journey for assistance, prayer, and logistical coordination.

• Single room supplement: $1,395

• Airfare to and from Turkey

• Potential increases in airline tax/fuel surcharges

• Optional tour activities as listed in the itinerary

• Additions or changes to the standard program

• Individual airport-hotel transfers

• Travel insurance

• Coffee and drinks

• Excess baggage fees

Payments: when making a payment, opt to use your checking account to avoid the 3-4 % fee

Theme: Beginnings and Open Doors

• Depart USA and arrive in Istanbul before boarding a commuter flight to Izmir, the birthplace of Homer and Turkey’s third-largest city, for dinner and overnight.

• Overnight Izmir

• Dinner Included

• *Our first group activity is dinner around 7pm (details to come). We recommend you arrive in Izmir by 4pm to have time to transfer to the hotel and get settled before meeting up with the group.

Theme: Faithfulness Under Trial

• Today we explore the biblical city of Smyrna (modern Izmir) and the church of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred during the 1st century AD.

• We then set out to visit the Hellenistic Acropolis of Pergamum (modern Bergama) and the Asclepion, the earliest known healing center in Asia Minor.

• In the afternoon, we visit Thyatira (modern Akhisar), one of the principal towns in the early days of the church.

• Overnight Izmir.

• Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Included

Theme: Wake Up and Strengthen What Remains

• We depart Izmir and continue to Sardis (modern Sart) to view its outstanding synagogue and gymnasium, Roman baths, and the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis.

• Next is Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir), an important Christian center during Byzantine times.

• Our last stop of the day is Hierapolis (near modern Pamukkale) with its expansive necropolis, stretching out over a mile, and its dramatic theater, one of the best-preserved in the Mediterranean world.

• Overnight Pamukkale.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Theme: Lukewarm Faith

• Today we visit Pamukkale, known for its thermal baths and geological beauty.

• Then it’s just a brief ride to Laodicea (near modern Denizli), the church neither “hot nor cold.” We’ll take in its stadium and see the aqueducts that carried lukewarm water to the city.

• Our next stop is Aphrodisias, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Asia Minor. Highlights include the stadium, the baths of Hadrian, theater, and the bishop’s palace.

• Overnight in Kusadasi.

• (Breakfast,Lunch, & Dinner included)

Theme: Returning to Your First Love

• Kusadasi / Ephesus / Izmir

• This morning we proceed to the ancient city of Ephesus (modern Selçuk), first stopping at the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

• Then to the Church of Saint John, where we gather at his tomb and reflect upon his witness. We will also visit the Church of Mary, where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 AD. This council affirmed Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer), an important title in Christian theology.

• In ancient Ephesus, one of the world’s best archaeological sites, we’ll stroll through its streets of marble to its grand theater, where the Apostle Paul sought to confront the angry pagan crowd (Acts 19).

• Overnight Kusadasi.

• (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

Theme: A City of Many Waters

• Istanbul

• Today we say goodbye to the sites of the Seven Churches and catch a quick flight to Istanbul. The afternoon will include a visit to the Spice Bazaar, followed by a cruise on the Bosphorus for an outstanding view of the many sites of this cultural center of both East and West.

• Overnight in our Istanbul hotel.

• (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Theme: A Crown of Glory

• Istanbul

• This morning we visit the great sites of Istanbul from its days as the capital of the Roman Empire, including the Hippodrome, Obelisk, and Serpent Column.

• After visiting the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts, we’re off to the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome.

• Just down from the mosque is the marvelous Agia Sophia, the Byzantine Church of Holy Wisdom, built in 538, that was once the greatest church of Christendom.

• Overnight Istanbul.

• (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Theme: Will Pass Away

• Istanbul - Free Day

• Enjoy a day to shop at the Grand Bazaar or take in the beauty of the Dolmabahce Palace, built in 1854 in Turkish-Indian Baroque storybook style.

• Overnight in Istanbul.

• (Breakfast included)

Theme: A Church Eternal

• Istanbul

• Today, we tour the spectacular Topkapi Palace and its Treasury, including the Harem.

• We will also visit the Church of Holy Peace (Agia Irene), one of the earliest churches built in Constantinople. This remarkable structure was the venue for the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, where the Nicene Creed was expanded to affirm the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Agia Irene is a symbol of the early Christian presence in the city and holds a unique place in Church history.

• Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, the Topkapi complex commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn.

• Farewell dinner.

• Overnight Istanbul.

• (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Theme: Behold, I Am Coming Soon

• Depart for home with great memories and a lifelong appreciation for this storied land!

• (Breakfast included)

As you make your travel plans, here are a few helpful guidelines to assist you in booking your flights with confidence:

• Arrival – Our first gathering will be a welcome dinner in Izmir on March 14. If you depart the USA on March 13, you should arrive in time—ideally by early afternoon—so you can settle in and freshen up before dinner.

• Arriving Early – Many travelers enjoy arriving a day or two in advance to ease into the time change. We are happy to reserve additional nights at our group hotel in Izmir at our special rate and can assist with airport transfers (available at an additional cost).

• Departure – plan your departure back to the US on March 23.

• Staying Longer – If you’d like extra time in Istanbul after the tour, we can arrange additional hotel nights.

• Transfers – Whether you arrive early, stay longer, or travel on the main tour dates, we can assist with arranging airport transfers to and from the hotel (available at an additional cost).

• Flight Information Form – About 4 months before the tour, we will request your flight details and give transfer options.

We are so excited to travel with you and to walk together in the footsteps of our Lord in Israel. If you have any questions—big or small—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We don't just organize tours.

When you travel with us through the lands of the Scriptures, you’re more than a tourist.  You’re a pilgrim!  In Israel, you will walk in the footsteps of Jesus.  In Greece, you’ll join Paul in his missionary journeys.  In Italy, you’ll live Paul’s letters to the Romans through the eyes of medieval and renaissance art. In England you'll see the faith through the eyes of the English saints.

We do not put you on the tourist treadmill.  We don’t rush you through sites.  We set our own pace and at each venue, we provide you time to reflect on God’s Word and for worship.  We accompany every group, ensuring personal attention all along the way.  We view each tour as an opportunity to minister to your life.        

In other words, we're different. We are not a "travel company," we're a ministry!