Join Pr. Jay Rudi on an13 Days Pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece from Minneapolis, MN (MSP) September 25 – October 07, 2025

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Duration

13 Days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

30 people

Languages

English

About this tour

Day 1: Thursday, September 25, 2025, Departure to Turkey
Depart for your overnight flight to Istanbul, meals served on board.

Day 2:  Friday, September 26, 2025, Arrival Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport, we will meet our guide in the arrival’s hall and head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Saturday, September 27, 2025, Istanbul
We will begin our day with a morning of shopping at Eminönü’s Spice Bazaar. Also, known as the Egyptian Bazaar, this large covered market has remained the city’s center for spice trade since its creation in the 17th century. Then, we will embark on a cruise of the Bosphorus, the winding straight that separates Europe and Asia and connects the Black Sea with the inland Sea of Marmara. This is our time to relish the views of the old wooden mansions, Ottoman palaces, and ancient fortresses that dot the river’s coast. Then, we will drive to Golden Horn, and we will visit Balat, the historic Jewish Quarter that, during the Byzantine and Ottoman times, epitomized the climate of inter-religious coexistence that has always characterized this city. However, with increasing Jewish flight from the neighborhood, was largely neglected until it recently became the focus of a redevelopment project sponsored by UNESCO. Fener (Phanar) where its labyrinthine streets are lined with old wooden mansions, churches, and synagogues that date back to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Here, we will also visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George, which is for the Orthodox believers the equivalent of St. Peter in Rome for the Catholics and finally Bulgarian steel church. Then, we will end our day with an evening of shopping at the Grand Bazaar, the massive covered market that houses a labyrinth of streets lined with shops selling jewelry, leather products and many other handcrafted souvenirs. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Sunday, September 28, 2025, Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents
Today we will visit the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar), located in the old historic district of Istanbul and built in the 17th century. We continue our tour on a cruise, sailing on Bosporus (regular boat), across Istanbul’s European and Asian sides along the Sea of Marmara. During a Bosphorus Cruise, you can enjoy stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline, including the historic district, palaces, mosques, and other landmarks such as: the Dolmabahçe, Çıragan, and Feriye Palaces; the Rumeli Hisarı fortress, Bosphorus Bridge etc… We continue with a visit to the Beylerbeyi Palace built in white marble by Sultan Abdulaziz in the 19th century with a mix of architectural styles, including traditional Ottoman elements and European neoclassical features. The palace was a summer residence for sultans and a guest house for foreign dignitaries. Climb Çamlica Hill, a scenic hill located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the highest points in Istanbul, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Sea of Marmara. It is known as Lovers’ Hill, with a beautiful panoramic view. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Istanbul

Day 5: Monday, September 29, 2025, Istanbul -afternoon flight to Thessaloniki
After enjoying our Turkish breakfast, we depart from our hotel and begin our tour of the historical highlights of Istanbul. First, we will stroll through Hippodrome Square, the former sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted chariot races during the Roman period. Afterwards, we visit the domed masterpiece of the Hagia Sophia before we head to Topkapi Palace. Located on the very cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace is the former abode of Ottoman Sultans that still houses their legion of treasures, including an extensive collection of royal jewels. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Thessaloniki. This city, named after Alexander the Great’s sister, and which figures prominently in the New Testament at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. This community was the center of Paul’s activities in Northern Greece. It is where he preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians). This evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel with your traveling companions.

Day 6: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Thessaloniki- Philippi -Kavala
Full-day tour along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). Journey to ancient Philippi, which was named after the father of Alexander the Great. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, Paul preached, established the first church in Europe, and was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). It was in this area that Paul met Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She and her household accepted Christ and were baptized in the nearby river (Acts 16:11-15). Next, continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). Dinner and overnight

Day 7: Wednesday, October 01, 2025, Thessaloniki–Veria–Kalambaka
This morning, stop in Veria (Beroea of the New Testament), where Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessalonika (Acts 17:5-15). Visit the Bema, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue to Athens where will have an orientation tour before checking in. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Thursday, October 02, 2025, Kalambaka -Athens
We will visit Veria (Berea)” As soon as night came, the believers sent Paul to Berea “(Act 17:10). We will see the Bema where Paul found people who eagerly received his message, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). Continue To Kalambaka where we will visit the unique hanging Byzantine monasteries from the Medieval centuries where we will visit one of them. Monks wanted to be as far as possible from human daily lives and as near as possible to GOD. Dinner and overnight

Day 9: Friday, October 03, 2025, Athens–(Embarkation)–Mykonos
We transfer to the port of Piraeus to begin our 3-night Greece and Turkey cruise with a visit to the mountainous island of Mykonos. Free time to explore the island before returning to the ship for evening entertainment.

Day 10: Saturday, October 04, 2025, Kusadasi, Ephesus–Patmos, Greece
Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi, and enjoy an included excursion to Ancient Ephesus, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26; Ephesians) and which was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and to the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos, with free time to discover the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. We visit the Monastery of St. John and to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile (Rev. 1:9-11).

Day 11: Sunday, October 05, 2025, Crete- Santorini
This morning, we will arrive in Heraklion. The capital of Crete is a former Venetian harbor with representative architecture and art. Our included tour of the city takes us on a short drive to visit the church of St Titus, a disciple of the Apostle Paul and the first Bishop of Crete. And we will visit the Venetian Loggia, Basilica of St Mark, medieval monastery of St Catherine and the Cathedral of St. Minas. This afternoon our cruise will reach Santorini, one of the most unique places of the world to admire its geography, a result of an earthquake that took place many centuries ago. Our included shore excursion to Oia Village will take us to the worldwide famous sunset and to enjoy the amazing view of the Aegean and the Caldera view.

Day 12:  Monday, October 06, 2025, Corinth -Athens
Today we will drive to Corinth to visit the archaeological site where Apostle Paul worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). We will see also the handmade Corinth Canal connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Seas. Return to Athens to visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. (Acts 17:15-34). You will also have a panoramic tour to see the Parliament House, the Academy, Omonia Square and Panathenaic Stadium. You will have free time in Plaka area, the ancient city of Athens. Dinner and overnight at our hotel

Day 13: Tuesday, October 07, 2025, Departure
Today we will say goodbye to Athens, drive to the airport for our flight back home with our great memories.

 

 

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Included/Excluded

  • Round trip airline tickets
  • Meet & Assist at Airports upon arrivals and departures.
  • Three overnights in Istanbul (Ramada hotel or similar) including breakfast and dinner
  • Three overnights in Athens (Avenue hotel or similar) including breakfast and dinner
  • One overnight in Kalambaka (hotel Amalia or similar) including breakfast and dinner
  • Three overnights in Thessaloniki (hotel Kapsis or similar) including breakfast and dinner
  • 3 night/4 day cruise (All inclusive)
  • Air-conditioned motor coach throughout for all tours and transfers
  • Services of English-speaking professional, licensed guide for all sites and museums as
  • per itinerary
  • Dinners during tours includes one soft drink or glass of wine per person
  • Welcome dinner in Thessaloniki includes house wine
  • Transfers from and to airports
  • Entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Road tolls and all applicable taxes
  • Lunches and soft drinks. (Except wile on the Cruise)
  • Tips for tour escort, Guides & Drivers
  • All Personal Expenses.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Anything that’s not mentioned in included.

Itinerary

Durations

13 Days

Languages

English

Denominational

ELCA
Protestant Tours

Month

September

Year

2025

Departure City

From Minneapolis

Tour's Location

All prices reflect a 4% cash discount and is forfeited when using a credit card
From: $5,490.00
More option
  • Single Room: (Private Room)($1,090.00)


Information Contact

Email

<a href="mailto:info@goodshepherdtravel.com">info@goodshepherdtravel.com</a>

Website

https://goodshepherdtravel.com

Phone

1-844-659-5263