Bible Journeys

Footsteps of Paul & John  -  Turkey & Greece

17 Days / 15 Nights Land/Cruise Program

Departures Every Tuesday from March to November

This wonderful 17-Day program makes the Bible come to life as we experience sites in Turkey and Greece from the times of Paul and John.  In Turkey, we visit sites of the Seven Churches, as well as the ruins of Ephesus.  A three-night cruise includes a visit to Patmos, where John wrote the Book of Revelations.  And on mainland Greece we'll visit Corinth, and points in the North including Thessaloniki, Philippi and Kavala.  In addition, we visit classical points of interest in both countries, including Istanbul, Athens, Delphi, and the Greek Islands of Rhodes, Crete and Santorini.

Sample Group Itinerary 

 
Day 1, Tuesday  -  Depart USA
This morning we depart our origin airport and board our international flight destined for Istanbul.

Day 2, Wednesday  -  Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul, where we are met and transferred to our hotel.  Balance of the day at leisure to rest or to begin exploring Istanbul on your own.  Welcome dinner.  (D)

Day 3, Thursday  -  Istanbul
This morning depart for a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Visit the Church of St.  Sophia, the oldest Christian Basilica, now a museum, the Hippodrome of old Constantinople,
the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace, the Sultan’s former residence with an incredible collection of jewels and precious gifts from all over the world. Overnight in Istanbul.  (B)

Day 4, Friday  -  Istanbul  -  Canakkale.
In the morning, we depart Istanbul by coach to Canakkale (Gallipoli), situated at the narrowest part of the Dardanelles Straits. Overnight in Canakkale.  (B)

Day 5, Saturday  -  Canakkale  -  Pergamon  -  Izmir
From Canakkale, we continue and visit the ancient city of Troy and on to Pergamon (Bergama) to see the site of the Homonym Church, as well as the Acropolis, the Asclepion, the
Red Basilica, and the site where the Church of Pergamon once stood. Continue to Izmir, the third largest Turkish city. Overnight in Izmir.  (B)

Day 6, Sunday  -  Izmir - Philadelphia - Laodicea - Kusadasi
From Izmir, en route to Kusadasi, we visit the sites of the Churches and theatres in Philadelphia and Laodicea, before reaching Pamukkale, named for the spectacular cascades of white petrified water and calcareous salts. This is the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis (Holy City). We drive to Kusadasi and overnight.  (B)

Day 7, Monday  -  Kusadasi  -  Miletus  -  Ephesus  -  Kusadasi
This morning, discover the famous cities of Miletus and Ephesus. Visit the remains of the Diana Temple which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. John brought Mary (mother of Jesus) to Ephesus, after the crucifixion of our Lord and this is where she spent her last days. In Ephesus we visit the town hall, the Roman baths, the Grand Theatre, where Paul preached and return to Kusadasi for overnight.  (B)

Day 8, Tuesday  -  Kusadasi  -  Embark on a 3-Day Cruise  - Patmos
Kusadasi. Embark on a 3-Day Cruise and sail to Patmos, Greece.  Arrive at 4:00 PM for a visit of the Monastery of St. John the Divine and the Grotto where St John received the Revelation and wrote the Last Book of the New Testament Depart at 9:00 PM.  (B,L,D)

Day 9, Wednesday  -  Cruising  -  Rhodes
Rhodes, Greece Arrive at. 7:00 AM and spend a full day on the “Island of Roses” famed for its Medieval Old Town and site of the Colossus of Rhodes. Visit Medieval and Ancient Rhodes, Lindos and the majestic Acropolis overlooking the Bay if St Paul. Depart at 6:00 PM.  (B,L,D)

Day 10, Thursday  -  Cruising  -  Crete  -  Santorini
Arrive at 7:00 AM in Heraklion, Crete, Greece to visit the site of the Palace of Knossos of the Minoan Civilization. Depart at 11:30 AM and sail to Santorini Greece.  Arrive at 4:30 PM and
visit the city built on the cliffs overlooking the Aegean. Depart at 9:00 PM.  (B,L,D)

Day 11, Friday  -  Disembark Cruise  -  Athens  -  Corinth  -  Athens
Arrive Piraeus, Greece. Disembark and depart for a half day guided tour of Athens.  On this tour you’ll observe the striking contrast that makes Athens such a fascinating city. In the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), you’ll see the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the National library and many other highlights.  Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see Greek National Guard, the Evzones, in their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see Hadrian’s Arch,
the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenian Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896.
On to the Acropolis where we’ll visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon.  We leave Athens afterwards and drive South West to the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the Ancient Town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached for two years.  The remains of the city, which include the Agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th century B.C.) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in Ancient Times.  A short stop at the Site of the Ancient Port of Cehries, where St. Paul disembarked, will conclude the visit. Return to Athens and overnight.  (B)

Day 12, Saturday  -  Athens  -  Delphi
Depart Athens and via Thebes, drive to Delphi, the ‘’Omphalos’’ (Navel) of the Earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. Pass through Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Arrive in Delphi and visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Museum, containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Overnight in Delphi.  (B)

Day 13 Sunday  -  Delphi  -  Meteora  -  Kalambaka
From Delphi, drive to Kalambaka to visit Meteora, the ageless Byzantine Monasteries, part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List with priceless historical and religious treasures. Built in the 15th century by Christian Monks to evade the Ottoman Turks, they stand, suspended like, between earth and sky on top of huge granite rocks. Overnight in Kalambaka.  (B)

Day 14, Monday  -  Kalambaka  -  Dion  -  Thessaloniki
From Kalambaka, via Trikala and Larissa we drive and visit the famous and sacred Macedonian town of Dion. Then continue to Thessaloniki, the largest city in Northern Greece and an important city for Christianity as The Apostle preached here in 49-50 AD. We visit the triumphal
Arch of the Roman Emperor Galerius, the Via Egnatia, the Cathedral of St Demetrius and a most interesting Archaeological museum. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B)

Day 15, Tuesday  -  Thessaloniki  -  Philippi  -  Kavala  -  Thessaloniki
From Thessaloniki we drive and visit Philippi where The Apostle preached for the first time in Europe and baptized Lydia the first European Christian convert. Then we visit the Roman forum where the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown is located. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. We return to Thessaloniki and overnight.  (B)

Day 16, Wednesday  -  Thessaloniki  - Veria  -  Athens
From Thessaloniki we visit Veria and see The Bema of St Paul, built on the spot where The Apostle preached and we begin our return drive to Athens through the Tempi Valley, Larissa, Lamia, and Thermopylae, famous for the ancient battle that took place there. This evening we'll enjoy a Farewell Dinner with a Greek floor show and entertainment.  Overnight in Athens.  (B,D)

Day 17, Thursday  -  Athens to U.S.
This morning our Footsteps experience comes to an end as we transfer to the Athens airport and board our flight back to the U.S.  Arrive back home the same afternoon.  (B)

Cruise/Tour Includes:
-Round-Trip Air Transportation from U.S. to Istanbul and return from Athens;
-Twelve (12) Nights' Accommodations  in Superior First-Class Hotels;
-Three (3) Night Cruises in an inside cabin with two lower beds. All meals on cruise;
-Welcome dinner at the hotel in Istanbul;
-Farewell dinner in Athens with Greek floor show and entertainment;
-Deluxe A/C motor coach during all transfers and tours;
-English speaking assistant during all transfers;
-Professional English speaking guide during the tours;
-All Entrance fees for the sites and museums visited; and,
-All porterage, taxes, port charges, security and service fees.

Not Included:
Beverages with included meals and gratuities; and,
Items of a personal nature, such as phone calls, internet access fees, laundry, etc.

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