ANATOLIA (today Turkey) is the cradle of civilizations. Numerous cultures have blended together to create new, revolutionary ideas and thoughts in these lands. Being Anatolian, Paul’s teachings bear a true reflection of this accumulated culture. As St. Paul traveled around Anatolia on his three Missionary Journeys, he stopped in many cities and instructed people about Christian thought and faith. Today’s travelers may still feel something of Paul’s time in the ruins, the relics, and the living traditions. And like Paul some Anatolians still sit by their wooden looms and weave black goat hair into nomadic tents. You will discover and witness this incredible journey following the footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey with this tour. We will then follow him in his journey to beautiful Greece, visiting cities such as Philippi, where St. Paul preached his first evangelical messages and baptized the first Christians on European soil, Meteora, Delphi, Athens and Ancient Corinth where Apostle Paul lived and preached for two years.
Overnights:
Istanbul (2) Bursa (1) Pamukkale (1) Izmir (1) Assos (1) Kavala (1) Thessalonika (1) Meteora (1) Delphi (1) Athens (3)
Toll Free:
1-888-596-6886
Departure Flight from New York or Toronto – October 27, 2012 SATURDAY
Day 1
October 28, 2012 - Arrival to Istanbul
Upon your arrival you’ll be met by our representative at Istanbul airport and will be transferred to your hotel. A short meeting to talk about the outline of our trip. Dinner is in a nice local restaurant (D)
Day 2
October 29, 2012 - Full Day City tour in Istanbul
A walking guided tour through the old town visiting, Hagia Sophia, 6th century Byzantine Church, Blue Mosque, and the most exciting palace of the Ottomans, Topkapı. At the end of the day you will have some free time to feel the oriental atmosphere of Gran Bazaar with its 4000 shops. Dinner in the Hotel (B,D)
Day 3
October 30, 2012 - Drive to Bursa via Nicaea
We depart to Bursa, a city on the foot of mount Olympus (Uludag); the first capital city of Ottomans. After crossing the Izmit golf by a ferry to shorten our way we stop by a ruin of a church called St .Sophia in Nicaea where the first Ecumenical Council was held 325. AD Then after we continue to drive around the Iznik lake to arrive Bursa where we are going to see a Sultan Mausoleum and a Mosque known as Green Complex. Dinner in the hotel (B,D)
Day 4
October 31, 2012 - Drive to Pamukkale via Thyatira , Sardis , Philadelphia
An early morning departure to Pamukkale driving by Thyatira ( Rev.2:18-29) we arrive to Sardis where we are going to see a roman era Synagogue and a well-preserved gymnasium.(Rev.3:1-6) . Then we pass through Philadelphia (Rev.3:7-13) and finally we arrive to Pamukkale where we see the lime cascade formation nearby an ancient site Hierapolis (home of Philip the apostle) Hotel has hot spring pool. Dinner in the Hotel (B,D)
Day 5
November 01, 2012 - Drive to Izmir via Laodicea
Morning visit of Laodicea (Rev.3:14-22), the final seven church of Asia Minor. Then we continue to Selchuk to visit and to have a mass-service in the house of Mother Mary where Pope John Paul II have celebrated mass in 1979 & Ephesus , home of St. Paul for 3 years. This is the best ruins of Turkey with its marble streets, temples, library and theatre .It is the city where one the seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis, is situating. (I Cor. 3:6, 16:19).Dinner in the hotel (B,D)
Day 6
November 02, 2012 - Drive to Assos via Pergamum
Drive to Pergamum following the Aegean cost line to visit Acropolis of Pergamum where you can see Altar of Zeus, Temple of Athena and steepest theatre of the ancient world. Pergamum is another Seven Church of Asia Minor (Rev.2:12-17).Then we continue to Assos to overnight (B,D)
Day 7
November 03, 2012 - Drive to Kavala via Greek border
Before we cross the Dardanelles taking a ferry Visit Troy and Crossing the Greek border, we arrive Kavala The second part of our trip starts in Greece. Dinner in the hotel (B,D)
Day 8
November 04, 2012 - Kavala – Philipi – Thesaloniki
Tour Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul landed with his disciples Timothy and Silas. Luke the Evangelist came here from Troas. Continue to Philippi, where St. Paul preached his first evangelical messages and baptized the first Christians on European soil. Also visit the Acropolis, the Marketplace, Basilica and the theatre. Drive to Thessalonika for overnight (B,D)
Day 9
November 05, 2012 - Meteora
World famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on top of rock formations of varied and beautiful shapes. Visit two of these picturesque monasteries (B,D)
Day 10
November 06, 2012 - Meteora – Delphi
Enjoy picturesque villages and towns of central Greece. In Delphi tour the ancient sanctuary of Apollo and home of the Oracle. Visit the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre, and sanctuary of Apollo Pythios on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus. Overnight in Delphi (B,D)
Day 11
November 07, 2012 - Delphi – Athens
Continued sightseeing in Delphi to include the famous Archaeological Museum where you will view the Charioteer, a unique 5thcentury B.C bronze statue. Continue to Athens for overnight (B)
Day 12
November 08, 2012 - Corinth – Mycenae
Follow the road to Ancient Corinth where Apostle Paul lived and preached for two years. Visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Marketplace, the Bema and the Temples. Continue to Mycenae to view the 19th-century excavations, the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, the famous Gate of Lions, and impressive Acropolis. Return to Athens for overnight (B)
Day 13
November 09, 2012 - Athens
Visit the immortal Acropolis with its classical temples. Marvel at the ruins of the Parthenon,
Erectheum, and the Propylaea. Ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora, the House of Parliament,
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Palace. Overnight in Athens (B)
Day 14
November 10, 2012 - Athens – Return
Transfer to airport for international flight. Fly to Istanbul first then fly back to Toronto or New York (B)
Toll Free:
1-888-596-6886