13 Days
Specific Tour
30 people
English
Day 1: Thursday Departure to Turkey
Depart for your overnight flight to Istanbul, meals served on board.
Day 2: Friday Arrival in 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 Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel and on a full-day tour of Istanbul, you will visit numerous monuments from the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires that reflect the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Hagia Sophia, an outstanding architectural achievement of the Byzantine Empire, was completed in 537 AD, adorned with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, is famous for its six minarets and its blue interior tiles. The Roman Hippodrome was a stadium built in the 3rd century AD for chariot racing and other events. Basilica Cistern is a remarkable site, built in the 6th century with a capacity of 80.000 cubic meters supported by 336 marble columns, each 9m high. One of the most striking features of the Basilica Cistern is the two Medusa heads that are used as column bases. Grand Bazar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with over 60 streets and 4.000 shops. Topkapi Palace, was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years, from the 15th century until the 19th century. Is known for its beautiful architecture, intricate tile work, and stunning views of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The palace contains numerous buildings and rooms, including the Imperial Treasury, which houses an impressive collection of Ottoman jewels, precious stones, and gold objects. The tour ends with a visit to the Tomb of the Sultan. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Sunday 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 will then continue our tour on a cruise, sailing on Bosporus (a 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 scenic view. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight
Day 5: Monday Istanbul -afternoon flight to Thessaloniki
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul airport for our short flight to Thessaloniki. Arrival in Thessaloniki 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). Dinner & overnight.
Day 6: Tuesday 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, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). Dinner and overnight
Day 7: Wednesday 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 Kalambaka, where we will have dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Thursday Kalambaka -Athens
After breakfast, we will explore Kalambaka, where we will visit the unique hanging Byzantine monasteries from the Medieval centuries, and we will see one of them. Monks sought to be as far as possible from human daily life and as near as possible to God. Continue to Athens for Dinner and overnight
Day 9: Friday 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 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 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 Corinth -Athens
Today, we will return to Athens’ port and disembark, then drive to Corinth to visit the archaeological site where Apostle Paul worked for 18 months with tentmakers 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 Departure
Today we will say goodbye to Athens, drive to the airport for our flight back home with our great memories.
DAY 13 ATHENS – ROME
Breakfast boxes and transfer to Athens International Airport for departure flight Upon arrival at Rome airport, meet the tour manager after the baggage claim area. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight
Day 14: Pompeii / Minturno / Foro Appio
Following breakfast, we embark on an archaeological journey through the ancient city of Pompeii. Buried under a layer of ashes and pyroclastic flow by the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the city shows Roman life frozen in the time of the apostles Peter and Paul. We walk through Pompeii’s houses, shops, temples, squares, and streets, as well astheLupanare (a first-century brothel) and the Suburban Baths, both displaying erotic frescoes and lending insight to Paul’s outrage against the moral corruption of the Romans (Romans 1:26). We make our way north and rejoin the ancient Appian roadway, stopping at the partially-restored ruins of the Roman village of Minturno. We continue to Foro Appio and its Mansio Hotel, a small lodging situated in the same locale as an ancient Roman “posta” where travelers would rest before continuing their journey. On the property we see (and walk on!) remnants of the original Roman road, the Appian Way, upon which the apostle Paul traveled (Acts 28:14-15). Our evening concludes with dinner and overnight at the Hotel
Day 15: Three Fountains / Rome / Roman Forum / Colosseum
Departing Foro Appio after breakfast, we stop at the Abbey of the Three Fountains, the location of Paul’s martyrdom. Tradition has it that three different springs gushed forth at each spot touched when Paul’s head fell to the ground. We then continue on to the Eternal City of Rome. We begin our walking tour of Rome along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the center road in Rome running in a straight line from the Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. We observe many magnificent centerpieces of ancient Rome, including the ruins of the Imperial Fora of Rome. We visit the Forum of Trajan, the most splendid market of its time and the forerunner of our modern malls, offering all the Roman world had to offer. We see the Capitoline Hill (the religious and political center of ancient Rome) and the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed and rebuilt in the 16th century by Michelangelo. Here we step onto a natural terrace offering a stunning view of the valley of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Moving on, we go to the Mamertine Prison where Paul was held and wrote his “prison epistles”. We also view the 3rd-century Arch of Constantine, commemorating Constantine’s historic victory that gave rise to the legalization and later adoption of Christianity. Next we visit the Colosseum, a stage for the historical fights of the famous gladiators. In the evening we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 16 // Vatican City / Sistine Chapel / Saint Peter’s Basilica / Saint Paul Outside the Walls / Catacombs
This morning we visit the Vatican Museum and Gallery (and if time permits Raphael’s Rooms with their wonderful frescoes) the Sistine Chapel – where Michelangelo’s recently restored masterpieces adorn the ceilings and walls – and Pincio Garden. We continue into St.Peter’s Basilica and view Vatican City. This afternoon we visit St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls and the Church of St. Peter in Chains with the famed statue of Moses by Michelangelo. We visit the Old Appian Way and the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, then return to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 17 //DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight back home
