St Paul and the 7 Churches Biblical Tour - The Church of Ephesus

One of the biggest of the 7 churches today is the church in Ephesus. The historical remains are truly breathtaking.

Below: the incredible detail at the Library of Celcus.

Below: the 25,000 seat stadium

Below: One of the treed walkways in Ephesus.

Read more about this amazing ancient city in the latest issue of WANDERER here.

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St. Paul and the 7 churches Biblical Tour - The Church of Philedelphia

The Church at Philadelphia...it was a little more difficult to locate. But when we did, it was magical.

in a small village block with fences around it were the ancient archways into the city, surrounded with other relics that have been found over the centuries. And surrounding it were the residential and little village corner stores. It was as so interesting. Outside the fenced in ruins, life went on as usual.

The sign was almost hidden that told us that this was the place of the Church of Philadelphia.

I also met some lovely local women who wanted a photo taken together. Why not? :)

wandering through istanbul

Our last two days of our tour are spent in the city of Istanbul. besides seeing the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace tomorrow, today we headed out on the Bosporus Boat Cruise and then hit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar! Shopping galore!

I always say, the 2nd best thing to traveling, other than the traveling to the places themselves, is to come home with all the treasures. 

Oh...and one of the favorite things about Turkey? The religious tea times. :)

Currently Wandering in Turkey

Between sparse internet and being so tired I am literally falling into bed each night, this whole live blogging thing..ya not working as well as I had hoped!

BUT...i have SO many amazing things to share from this trip...as in SO many. Have also decided to start planning a Turkish Villages tour, and go around Turkey and visit the small authentic villages that are fully of Turkish heritage and culture to the core! We have visited 3 sort of accidentally on this trip and it's been absolutely delightful!!

I'll be home next week..will try and post at least a photo a day til I can full fledge share the tour on the blog.

I leave you with this...

2 days ago in Ephesus, Turkey at the Library of Celsus

St. Paul and the 7 churches Biblical Tour - The Church of Sardis

Sardis...where do i begin?

It huge gymnasium can be seen from the distance. Its very stunning and walking around the ruins and trees full of figs..it, for a moment, makes you feel like you are back in time.

Said to the church of Sardis, as written about in Revelation, was said to be dead. and that it must wake up. However there were some that had not "soiled their clothes".

80km east of Izmir, Sardis is solely an archaeological site, with a small village nearby named Sart.

St. Paul and the 7 churches Biblical Tour - The Church of Thyateira

The city is now known as Akhisar, in Turkey. And its ruins are right in the middle of their downtown. There are only a few as the cities that came afterward built on top of them, and today the buildings are overtop where the city would be.

It is not any less amazing to see the ruins of thousands of years ago.

In the letter to the church,Thyateira is praised for its increasing faith and service, but is criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel, an immoral woman who calls herself a prophetess. (Rev 2:18-29)

As we walked around the fenced off area in the middle of Akhisar, i took a moment and looked up from the ruins and to the modern shops, residences and such that surrounded it. What would it have been like living here?

We ate lunch at a local fare where the traditional Turkish palate was so delicious. Ending with some tea and coffee, we then packed ourselves back into the tour bus and were off to our next church: Sardis.

Nicea (Iznik), Turkey - Follow Your Heart to Turkey

Day 1 of our Follow Your Heart Tour through ancient biblical Turkey. 

The ancient city of Nicea (now Iznik) where the 2nd council of Constantinople was held. 

The gorgeous ruins still standing in this little town where wooden crates are made for the fresh fruit to sell and women pick beans and she'l them while chatting about the days going-ons. 

It is like a whole other world. It's wonderful. :)

Off to Wander...Ancient Biblical Turkey

Tomorrow I am setting off to TURKEY, to lead a tour around the ancient ruins of Biblical times.

Our 10 days together will, no doubt, be filled with amazing sights, glorious food, and gorgeous people & culture.

Follow our trip here as I will blog every day.

Wandering,

Ancient Turkey Tour - September 22-29, 2013

Thinking of traveling somewhere this fall?

Join us in ANCIENT TURKEY for a tour like no other! for wanderlusters, 

photographers and everyone in between!

LAST day of registration is JULY 31, 

so claim your seat today to avoid disappointment. 

See you in TURKEY! :) www.followyourhearttours.com

Pomegranates of Turkey

Juicy, mouth-watering pomegranates are as common all over TURKEY as apples are in an orchard in America.

Let's Wander to: Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia Cave Resort&Spa .... luxury and mystique in the 

fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, Turkey.