Day 10 - Hierapolis - Philadelphia - Thyatira - Sardis - Kusadasi (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we visit Hierapolis with its necropolis, baths, theater and the site of the martyrdom of St. Philip. We continue to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, founded during the reign of Attalus II and a city that was also the site of one of the  Seven Churches of Revelation. Our drive next takes us to Thyatira, another one of the Seven Churches. According to the letters, the members of this church  were commended for their steadfastness against libertarianism. After lunch we continue on to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia which also ranked as one of the Seven Sister Churches and as a center of importance for various religious groups. Here  we visit the temple of Cybele and Diana (which later became a church), the beautiful synagogue, and the gymnasium.  Our drive next takes us to Kusadasi where we dine and spend the night.