Journeys of Paul in Turkey and Greece – 13 Nights/14 Days

Day 01 Arrive Athens Airport

Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim. Meet and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 02 ATHENS

Enjoy the architectural splendors of the ancient city of Athens as you follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul stood and said, " I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you" (Acts 17:23). See the Agora, the ancient market place and center of the Athenian public life, where the apostle Paul preached "Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This afternoon is free to explore Athens on your own or enjoy an optional journey to Sounion to visit the famous Temple of Poseidon. Overnight in Athens. (B,D)

Day 03 CORINTH and CENCHRAEAE - ATHENS

In Corinth, the city where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla, the tent makers, and where the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision saying, "I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18: 10). Here, Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord, and many Corinthians as well hearing Paul, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8); thus, began the church at Corinth to whom Paul wrote two epistles. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood before Gallio facing charges brought by the Jews that were dropped. Paul stayed awhile in Corinth before leaving for Syria from the port at Cenchraeae (Acts 18: 12-18). Overnight in Athens. (B,D)

Day 04 DELPHI – METEORA - KALAMBAKA

Travel to scenic Delphi, the religious center of the ancient Greek world, considered by early Greeks to be the center of the world and marked by the conical stone, called the omphalos or navel. Walk the Sacra Via to the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre, and the Temple of Apollo where the oracle performed his or her prophetic rituals. With innumerable pagan ruins surrounding your walk, capture a glimpse of the challenge the apostle Paul incurred in preaching the Gospel of Christ in Macedonia. Visit the Museum where you will view many ancient treasures, the chief of which is the 5th century bronzed Charioteer, complete with even eyelashes. Drive to Kalambaka to visit the rock forest of Meteora in western Thessaly and ponder the rough terrain in which the apostle Paul walked during his missionary journey. See famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on summits of soaring, sheer-sided grey rock pinnacles of varied and spectacular shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Visit one of these monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B,D)

Day 05 KALAMBAKA – PHILIPPI - KAVALA

Drive to Philippi, where Paul, intending to find a place to pray by the riverside, spoke to women who had gathered there among whom was Lydia, the seller of purple and whose heart the Lord opened to hear the words that he spoke (Acts 16:13-15). Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on European soil. Visit the place where this event is remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period, which is thought to have served as a prison for the apostle Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, the Basilica, and the Theater. Overnight in the Kavala area. (B,D)

Day 06 KAVALA (GREECE) - ISTANBUL

Drive to the Greece-Turkey border. Transfer to your Turkish bus and guide, and continue to istanbul for dinner and overnight.
Visit the St Chora Church famous for its Golden Mosaics, then visit Spice Bazaar. Take a leisurely Boat Tour along the Bosphorus seeing both European and Asian shores of Istanbul. Walk at Beyoglu streets and have dinner at a local restaurant at historic Flower Passage. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

Day 07 ISTANBUL

First, visit Hippodrome Square, then walk to St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia Church) that, for 1000 years, was the largest church in Christendom. Built by Justinian (532-537 AD), the church has 107 columns, fossil imbedded white marble floors and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Then visit, St Irene Church, location of the 2nd Ecumenical Council. Catch a whiff of cinnamon, cloves, thyme and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

Day 08 ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE

Drive to Gallipoli. Cross the Dardanelles strait by car ferry. Drive to Alexandria Troas, founded by Alexander the Great, Paul visited here at least twice. Then visit the legendary Troy and see the replica of the wooden horse. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

Day 9 ASSOS - PERGAMUM – IZMIR (SMYRNA)

Visit Assos amd drive to Pergamum and the church was praised for its forbearance during hard times (Rev. 2:12-17). Rome executed the first Christians here. Towering 1000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular panorama is the fabled Acropolis. Then drive to Izmir, ancient Smyrna. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Day 10 MILETUS and PRIENE - KUSADASI

Visit the excavations at Miletus, where Paul bid farewell to the elders of the church at Ephesus at the end of his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20). Priene had a substantial Christian community during the Byzantine period and was the seat of a bishop. Four of Priene's bishops are known: Theosebius, present at the Council of Ephesus (431); Isidore, who was living in 451; Paul, present at the Council of Constantinople (692); and Demetrius (12th century). Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 11 EPHESUS - KUSADASI

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Today you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. You'll view the Library and the huge Agora. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. You'll visit the Basilica of St. John, traditional site of his grave. From the basilica, enjoy a commanding view of the area. You'll visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. You will have time to explore this powerful city on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 12 LAODICEA – APHRODISIAS – PAMUKKALE

Visit Aphrodisias excavated by the New York University and see the Stadium, The Theater, The Agora and more. Proceed to Laodicea. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3:14) and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3:20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 13 HIERAPOLIS and SARDIS - IZMIR

Hierapolis is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Christianity came to Hierapolis via Paul (Colossians 4:13). The ruins cover more than a mile. You'll see the impressive amphitheatre with seats still in perfect condition. You'll see the City Gates, column-lined streets and arches that have stood through time and earthquake. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning "Cotton Castle". It is named for the limestone-laden hot springs that cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation, was berated by John the Prophet for its facade of strength when, in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). In Sardis, coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. The massive scale of the Temple of Artemis and by the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium and the synagogue will impress you. Continue on to Smyrna, modern day Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 14 DEPARTURE

Transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight back home