15 Days
Specific Tour
30 people
English
Join us in October 2025 for a faith-deepening pilgrimage to encounter the sacred places where our Christian faith took root in the ancient world. Guided by Mark Retherford, Dr. Gordon Tucker, and Canon Greg Foraker, and accompanied by Bishop Kym Lucas, we will follow the footsteps of Paul in Greece and Turkey.
Our journey begins in Istanbul and continues across the rugged and dramatic landscapes of Turkey, as we recall and reflect on the events of early Christianity that shaped the emerging church. We will visit Ephesus and the churches of Revelation before journeying on to Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, and Corinth. On our pilgrim way, we will immerse ourselves in the historical and spiritual meaning of these places and events, and we will embrace the ancient alongside the modern as we make our way through the diverse cultures of Turkey and Greece. Throughout our journey there will be time for personal reflection and prayer, worship, fellowship, and discussion.
Following in the Footsteps of Paul is a spiritually deepening pilgrimage that is also visually stunning. For more information…
Day 1: Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Departure from the USA
Depart Denver, CO by scheduled air carrier on an overnight flight to Istanbul, Turkey
Day 2: Wednesday, October 22: Arrive in Istanbul (D)
After arrival at the Istanbul Airport, we will drive to the hotel in Istanbul. Dinner and overnight
Day 3: Thursday, October 23: Istanbul (B,D)
We will begin our day with 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. Afterward, we will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Friday, October 24: Istanbul (B,D)
We explore the Old City, starting at the gem of Istanbul’s architecture, the 17th-century Blue Mosque, so named because of its turquoise tiles. Ottoman Sultans preferred to pray in this timeless shrine until their empire collapsed after World War I. Standing across from it is the Basilica of Saint Sophia, built by Justinian the Great in the 6th century. With its massive dome (176 feet high!) and its golden mosaics, Saint Sophia has never ceased to astonish. We continue to the Topkapi Palace, built as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire which houses the riches of 700 years. In its inner courtyard, we shall see the jewels worn by the sultans, as well as a unique collection of Chinese porcelain. Our day of history and architecture will end with a visit to the Grand Bazaar and Nuru Osmaniye district, where Genoese and Venetian merchants plied their wares through the Renaissance. Exploring the aisles of the 500-year-old mall, we hunt for bargains in handcrafted souvenirs from oriental rugs to antique jewelry. Then we return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5: Saturday, October 25: Fly to Izmir / Ephesus / The House of Virgin Mary / Kusadasi (B,D)
We drive to Istanbul Airport to fly to Izmir. Upon arrival, we continue to Ephesus, one of the Bible’s most significant cities (Rev. 2:1-7), with 200,000 inhabitants. The Apostle Paul visited in 53 A.D., and, according to tradition, the Apostle John wrote his Gospel here. We walk on the Marble Road through the city, noting temples dedicated to the emperors Domitian and Hadrian. The Library of Celsus adorns the most impressive square. Then, we visit the house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the last days of her life with John. Dinner and overnight in Kusadası.
Day 6: Sunday, October 26: Kusadasi / Hierapolis / Laodicea / Pamukkale (B,D)
After breakfast, we continue to Hierapolis, today called Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, because of its white calcium formations. We visit the visually intriguing calcium pools. A short drive to Laodicea: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'” (Rev. 3:15-17). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Monday, October 27: Pamukkale / Philadelphia / Sardis / Thyatira / Izmir (B,D)
After breakfast, we then continue to Philadelphia: “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Rev. 3:8). Today’s Philadelphians still make their living from viniculture, as in Bible times. We continue our drive, through robust vineyards, to Sardis, “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1-6). The ruins of Sardis, dating from the Roman period, still convey its wealth. We visit the Roman gymnasium, the synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis. We drive to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira, the hometown of the New Testament Jezebel. The church of Thyatira was praised for its increasing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel (Rev. 2:18-28). Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 8: Tuesday, October 28: Izmir / Agora / Pergamon / Izmir / Istanbul (B,D)
After breakfast, we drive to Agora (Smyrna), whose story goes back 5000 years. Two of its churches won high praise in Revelation 2:8-11. Among the first martyrs of Asia Minor was its bishop, Policarp, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Continue driving, we reach Pergamon, the church that John both affirmed and chastised (Rev. 2:12-17) by his famous statement “where Satan has its throne”. Pergamon was the capital of a Hellenistic Kingdom of that name, which ruled western Asia Minor. Continue to Izmir Airport and fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Wednesday, October 29: Istanbul / Thessaloniki / Philippi / Thessaloniki (B,D)
We transfer to the Istanbul Airport for our morning flight to Thessaloniki. Meet our guide and driver to drive to 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, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Thursday, October 30: Thessaloniki / Veria / Kalambaka (B,D)
This morning we will visit the Byzantine church of St Dimitrius and see the White Tower along with the Rotonda of Galerius. Stop in Veria (Beroea of the New Testament), where Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessaloniki (Acts 17:5-15). Continue to visit the Bema, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. After that, we will drive to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Friday, October 31: Kalambaka / Delphi (B,D)
Visit Meteora, a UNESCO heritage site with incredible rock monasteries. Six of twenty-four monasteries are still active. We will visit the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Monastery of St. Varlaam. Then continue to Delphi for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Saturday, November 01: Delphi / Hosios Loukas Monastery / Vrachati (B,D)
Visit Delphi, an important religious center of Greek antiquity. We will discover Apollo’s temple of Oracle, the theater of 5000 spectator capacity, and the Marmaria sanctuary which is comprised of several buildings. One of them was dedicated to Athena. Continue to visit Hosios Loukas Monastery which shelters the body of St. Luke. Continue to Vrachati in the Corinth area for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Sunday, November 02: Ancient Corinth / Athens (B,D)
Today we will discover the archeologic site of Corinth and remind ourselves of the two epistles Paul wrote to the Corinthians and where he had 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. Continue to Athens for a panoramic orientation tour. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 14: Monday, November 03: Athens (B,D)
Visit Athens with the Acropolis and sanctuaries of the Parthenon, Athena, and Erechteion. Brief stop at Areopagus Hill where St. Paul pronounced his sermon (Acts 17:16-3). We will view the Agora (the market was used to exchange knowledge). The afternoon is free for leisure to enjoy Athens and Old Plaka. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 15: Tuesday, November 04: Departure (B)
Today we will transfer to the airport for our flight back with our valuable memories.
