|
|
| Day 1 |
ISTANBUL
Arrival to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Day 2 |
 |
|
ISTANBUL TOUR
After breakfast, depart for a full day tour of Istanbul. The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. First you will visit the Hippodrome; the former center of sports and political activities and then the famous Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and sparkling interior. |
|
|
|
|
Continue to the Topkapi Palace, once home to royal Sultans. Inside, you'll see the fabled jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the Kitchen Quarters. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia) which, 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. Catch a whiff of cinnamon, cloves, thyme and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything form herbs to gold. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. |
|
|
| Day 3 |
SARDIS - PHILADELPHIA - PAMUKKALE
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir. En route to Pamukkale you will visit the sites of the churches;
Sardis and Philadelphia.
Depart for the visit of
Sardis,
one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, "I know
thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead"(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
originated in Sardis. They will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue. Then visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them "the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem." (Rev.3: 12). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. |
|
|
| Day 4 |
 |
|
HIERAPOLIS - LAODICEA - KUSADASI
After the breakfast at the hotel, depart for the visit of Hierapolis; an ancient city of pagan cults, Hierapolis or "holy city" was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip lived and is said to be buried here. Pamukkale, or "cotton castle" is a spa and resort center with its hot springs and cascading limestone pools. |
|
|
|
|
Col. 4:12-13. Continue 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: 15), 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. Drive to Kusadasi, dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. |
|
|
| Day 5 |
EPHESUS - SMYRNA (IZMIR)
Full day tour of Ephesus; 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. The St. Paul's first visit to Ephesus was brief - during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21). His second visit lasted about three years - during his third |
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke's account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35. The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. Then continue to The House of Virgin Mary where she spent her lasy days. They will visit the Basilica of St. John; early tradition associated John, the disciple of Jesus, the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation with the city of Ephesus. |
|
|
|
As early as the 4th or 5th century a Christian church was built over a simple grave, supposedly the grave of St. John. In the 6th century Emperor Justinian had an impressive domed basilica built to replace the earlier church. The church, known as the Church of St. John the Theologian, is located on Ayasuluk Hill, which can be reached by a street leading up from the center of the town called Selcuk. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. |
|
|
| Day 6 |
THYATIRA - PERGAMUM - CANAKKALE
Depart for the visit of Thyatira; was once a busy trading center and famous in dyeing of purple clothes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). Continue to Pergamum ; a most memorable experience will be Pergamum, with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as "where Satan's seat is", a reference to the altar of Zeus, where we pause for reflection on the fulfillment of Scripture. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk through the Asclepion, the famous medical center of antiquity. Continue to Canakkale dinner and overnight in Canakkale. |
|
|
| Day 7 |
ALEXANDRIA TROAS - TURKISH / GREEK BORDER - ALEXANDROUPOLIS
After breakfast continue your tour with the visit of Alexandria Troas, here, on his second missionary journey, Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16: 8-13). Later, during his third journey, Paul spent a week in Troas preaching. On one occasion he also resurrected Eutychus who fell to his death from a window while sleeping (Acts 20:6-12). Depart to Canakkale and continue our tour driving to the Greek borders and the city of Alexandroupolis. Dinner and overnight in Alexandroupolis. |
|
|
| Day 8 |
 |
|
PHILIPPI
Visit Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here St. Paul baptized a "certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after St. Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the |
|
|
|
|
town's main road is the prison where St. Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where St. Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessalonica. |
|
|
| Day 9 |
THESSALONIKI - METEORA
Thessalonica city tour. St. Paul preached in Thessalonica during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Depart for Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Day 10 |
 |
|
METEORA - DELPHI
Visit Meteora Monasteries, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi, dinner and overnight. |
|
|
|
| Day 11 |
DELPHI - ATHENS
Visit Delphi, the center of the Ancient world - the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit and continue to Athens for dinner and overnight. |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Day 12 |
 |
|
ATHENS TOUR - CORINTH TOUR
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians. We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch |
|
|
|
|
|
and the Panathenaic Stadium. We continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
ancient city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where St. Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight. |
|
|
| Day 13 |
DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. |
| |
|
