Depart USA
Dinner and Overnight: Istanbul
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
After breakfast we fly to Izmir - a long-time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was one of the Seven Churches
Dinner and Overnight: Ismir
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
See the 19th century Saint Polycarp's Church that was named after the first bishop of Smyrna and visit the ancient roman agora before traveling to Sardis. Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. Visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Continue to Philadelphia from where we are challenged to “hold fast” and look forward to the coming of the "new Jerusalem" in the Book of Revelation. Not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine Basilica in the modern city of Alasehir. Drive to Pamukkale, known for its mineral-rich thermal water.
Dinner and Overnight: Pamukkale
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
Visit Ephesus, the most impressive archeological site in Turkey, including the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians, the major streets in this ancient city, the library, Agora, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area. Continue to visit the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be resting place of John. View the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and see the site of the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Drive to Miletus, where Paul delivered his touching farewell address the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death. Return to our hotel in 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
Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Take a tour of Heraklion and the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. In the afternoon, we visit the island of Santorini which is the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. We will have a walking tour of the island viewing the delicate architecture and beauties of the island. Visit the narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques. Return to the ship.
Breakfast, lunch, 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
Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. On top Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. We view also the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace.
Dinner and Overnight: Athens
Day 13: Athens, Kalambaka
Morning free. Visit the famous Plaka with its multitude of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Afternoon drive to Kalambaka
Dinner and overnight: Kalambaka
Drive to Meteora - the world-famous Byzantine monaster-ies, perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinna-cles 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 shel-ters, later transformed into monasteries. Drive to Thessa-lonica. Continue to Veria-ancient Berea- to the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD. View the ancient synagogue where Paul spoke, and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church.
Dinner and overnight: Thessalonica
See the landmarks of the city; the Walls of the Byzantine
Acropolis, the House of Jason where Paul lived and the Agora where he preached. View the newly excavated Fo-rum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia.
Continue 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.
Drive 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 Chris Tou polis 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.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Fly back home OR continue to Rome
ROME EXTENSION
Fly to Rome. Arrive to Rome. Check into our hotel. In the afternoon, walk through Via Del Corso, Piazza de Spagnia, and enjoy the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
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 impris-oned. Visit the Coliseum that first opened in AD 80 and is famous as a place of spectacle and death. See the Circus Maxi-mum, 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.
Dinner, and overnight: Rome
Paul wrote to the Christians of Rome, and he eventually went there where his ministry continued, although he was technically a prisoner. Discover the Vatican Museum, home to many of the world's masterpieces. In the Sistine Chapel, view Michelangelo's frescoes, which have been restored to their full, colorful glory. Tour St. Peter's Basili-ca where Michelan gelo's "Pieta" -- the only work signed by the master -- will be just one of many highlights. Travel the famous Appian Way. Walk through the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Visit Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded. See the Abbey of the Three Fountains and the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb and the scala Santa.
Dinner, and overnight: Rome
Travel to the heart of the Renaissance. We visit Michan-gelo’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..
Dinner, and overnight: Rome
After breakfast, we are transferred to the Airport for our flight home..
Fly back home
