The Footsteps of the Apostles in Turkey, Greece, and Rome

Depart USA

Visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Hippodrome. Topkapi Palace, Saint Sophia, and the blue Mosque. These monuments represent the rich history of Istanbul, encompassing the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We then visit the Archaeological Museum and see the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, a mosaic remnant from the times of Nebuchadnezzar, Tablets of the Treaty of Kadesh and many other items. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, containing more than 4000 stores. Return to the hotel..

Dinner and Overnight: Istanbul

  Visit the church of Pergamum. Here the first Christians were executed by Rome. Visit the Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Altar of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library. 

Continue to Thyatira viewing the ancient roadway and period columns. Thyatira was once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches. Return to Izmir 

Dinner and Overnight: Izmir

Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. The Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis (in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae) that combined to bring application to the "lukewarm" Laodiceans. This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians. Laodicea contains many acres of ruins including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Colossae is well-known as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity, and nothing remains. Travel to the port city of Kusadasi.

Dinner and Overnight: Kusadasi

After breakfast we are transferred to the port for embarkation. At 1PM we sail to Patmos, the “Holy Island” for the Christian faith. This is the place where the apocalyptic Revelation of John was written during his exile from the Roman Empire. We visit the cave and monastery of St. John.

Dinner and Overnight: Cruise

Visit ancient Corinth where Paul worked and preached. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Pei-rene and the Temple of Apollo. We then will stop at Di-olkos to view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and the Corinth Canal.

Dinner and Overnight: Athens

Drive to Meteora - the world-famous Byzantine monasteries, perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. They go back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Afternoon drive to Larissa. 

Dinner and overnight: Larissa

Drive to Philippi where Paul lived, preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. See the baptismal site of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place. See a crypt from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a pris-on for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre.

Continue to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. Luke also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christopolis because it was the first Euro-pean city to accept Christianity. See the Roman Aqueduct and the Ruins of the Acropolis. 

Return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert.

Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica.

Travel to the heart of the Renaissance. We visit Michangelo’s masterpiece, David, and the Santa Croce Church where famous Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried. We also see the Duomo with Bru-nelleschi's famous dome and the exquisite bronze doors of the Baptistery. There will be time for shopping, perhaps on the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River. Drive back to Rome.

Dinner and overnight: Rome

 Visit the Arch of Titus that commemorates Titus’ conquest of Judea and the Mamertine Prison. Tradition says is where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. Visit the Coliseum that first opened in AD 80 and is famous as a place of spectacle and death. See the Circus Maximum, a huge stadium that seats 250,000 spectators. Visit the Roman Forum, an ancient meeting place, marketplace, religious and political center, and the ruins of Ostia Antica – that provides an example of city life in classical times. 

Our farewell dinner will be at Restaurante Pancrazio which is built on the ruins of the Theatre of Pompeii in Rome - the largest theatre in ancient Rome. It's a few steps away from Campo de Fiori, the area that saw the killing of Julius Caesar in 44BC. We will enjoy typical Roman cuisine.

Dinner and overnight: Rome