Join Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA led by Bishop Paul Egensteiner and Pastor Khader Khalilia on a 12 Days in the “Footsteps of Paul”- Turkey and Greece – February 03 – 14, 2025 from New York, NY (JFK)

Day 1 | Monday, February 3 | Departure

Depart for your overnight flight to Istanbul; meals will be served on board.

Day 2 | Tuesday, February 4 | Arrival in Istanbul

Upon arrival at the Istanbul Airport, we will meet our guide in the arrivals hall and head to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 | Wednesday, February 5 | Full day tour of Istanbul

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. And then, we will walk to 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. Then, we will end our day with an evening of shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Continue to Istanbul Airport and fly to Izmir Airport via flight TK2334, departing at 18:00, and arriving at 19:15. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Kusadasi.

Day 4 | Thursday, February 6 | Tour Ephesus–Istanbul

After breakfast, we are off to explore Ephesus. Located in the modern town of Selcuk, ancient Ephesus is one of Turkey’s most well-preserved archaeological sites. Originally an ancient Greek Ionic city built in the 10th century B.C., Ephesus became the largest metropolis and capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor. The city’s political influence and its large Jewish community attracted the apostles’ attention, including Paul. Then, continue the visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Drive to Izmir Airport and fly to Istanbul on TK 2329, departing at 16:55 and arriving at 18:15. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 | Friday, February 7 | Cross the border to Greece

After breakfast, we drive to the Greek Border. Cross the customs area to meet the Greek bus and guide and drive to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11)—dinner and overnight.

Day 6 | Saturday, February 8 | Philippi and Kavala to Thessaloniki

Today, we will visit ancient Philippi, named after Alexander the Great’s father. Paul preached here and established the first church in Europe, to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). In this area, 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). Continue to Thessaloniki, named after Alexander the Great’s sister, who figured prominently in the New Testament when 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 to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians)—dinner and overnight.

Day 7 | Sunday, February 9 | Thessaloniki–Veria–Kalambaka

This morning, we will see the White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, St. Demetrius and St. Sophia churches, and the Roman Forum and Rotonda. Continue to Veria (Berea of the New Testament), where friends sent Paul and Silas after being accused of treason in Thessaloniki (Acts 17:5-15). Visit the Bema of St Paul. Continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 | Monday, February 10 | Kalambaka–Delphi

Today, we will see the unique hanging Byzantine monasteries from the Medieval centuries. There are 24, but only six are inhabited, and we will visit one to get an idea of the monks’ lives in the 13th century. They were looking to be as far as possible from human life and as close as possible to God. Then, we will continue to Delphi for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 | Tuesday, February 11 | Delphi–Athens

Today, we will visit the center of the ancient world (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 the site and the museum and continue to Athens, one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of Western civilization as we know it today. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 10 | Wednesday, February 12 | Corinth

After breakfast, we will have a short drive on the coastal road to the peninsula of Peloponnese towards Corinth, where St. Paul worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). We will stop by the amazing Corinth Canal connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Seas through the Corinthian Gulf—a handmade canal with unforgettable scenes. Return to Athens for some free time and leisure—dinner and overnight.

Day 11 | Thursday, February 13 | Athens

We will spend our day in Athens. You will see the Acropolis, Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill, where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. You will also have a panoramic tour of the Parliament House, the Academy, Omonia Square, and Panathenaic Stadium. You will have a free afternoon to explore and enjoy the city for activities of interest, walking in Plaka with plenty of shops and taverns, shopping, etc. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 12 | Friday, February 14 | Back home

We will say goodbye to Greece today, packing and driving to the airport, savoring our amazing experience.