Laodicea & Hierapolis – neither cold nor hot

The Lycus valley holds three cities that Paul names in Colossians: Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colossae. Here you suddenly understand why Revelation calls Laodicea "lukewarm": Hierapolis had hot springs, Colossae cold water – and Laodicea received its water lukewarm through an aqueduct. We fly early from Istanbul to Denizli and spend a day walking through this biblical landscape.

Highlights

• Domestic flight Istanbul – Denizli and back, departing from IST or SAW
• Laodicea: church, main street and theatre of the "lukewarm" church (Rev 3:14–22)
• The water channel that explains the image "neither cold nor hot"
• Hierapolis: martyrium of the apostle Philip and his tomb
• The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale (UNESCO World Heritage)
• View over the Lycus valley and Colossae (Col 4:13–16)

Full description

Laodicea was a wealthy city of banking, textiles and physicians. Revelation reproaches it for thinking itself rich while being "poor, blind and naked", and advises it to buy eye salve and white garments (Rev 3:14–22) – allusions to exactly what the city was famous for. Today archaeologists are uncovering its colonnaded streets, theatres and one of the oldest church buildings in Asia Minor; we also see the water channel with its lime deposits.

Opposite, on the travertine terraces, lies Hierapolis. By tradition the apostle Philip died here; the octagonal martyrium stands on the hill, and his tomb was found below it. Epaphras, Paul's co-worker, cared for the believers in Hierapolis and Laodicea (Col 4:13). To finish we walk barefoot over the white terraces of Pamukkale before returning to Denizli airport.

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price. On request we read the matching Bible passages at each site.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Flight Istanbul – Denizli
  Early pick-up at your hotel, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Denizli (DNZ).
• 2 · Laodicea
  Syrian Street, church of Laodicea, theatre, water distribution tower – reflections on Rev 3:14–22.
• 3 · Hierapolis: Philip
  Martyrium of the apostle Philip and the tomb church on the hill.
• 4 · Hierapolis: city and theatre
  Necropolis, Frontinus Street, theatre with reliefs.
• 5 · Travertines of Pamukkale
  Barefoot across the white terraces; on request a swim in the ancient pool (separate ticket).
• 6 · Flight back to Istanbul
  Drive to Denizli airport (DNZ), evening flight, in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Domestic flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Denizli (DNZ) and back
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from and to Denizli airport (DNZ) for the day programme
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day

Not included

• Entrance fees (Laodicea, Hierapolis/Pamukkale, ancient pool)
• Lunch, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up early in the morning at your hotel in Istanbul and bring you back there in the evening. Departure airport is either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW); destination airport is Denizli Çardak (DNZ).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• Barefoot on the terraces – Shoes are not allowed on the travertines; a bag for your shoes and a small towel are handy.
• MuseumPass Aegean – Valid among others for Hierapolis/Pamukkale and Laodicea. Can be added in the booking form; paid in full with the deposit and non-refundable. Children under 8 do not need a pass.
• For churches and Bible groups – We are happy to plan a devotion or reading at one of the sites – please note it under "Your wishes".