Day 1.
Day 1 (Istanbul > Bursa)
Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, meet at the airport and drive to “Old City”; for sightseeing. Visit the Blue Mosque, with its graceful cascade of domes, its six slender minarets and its magnificent interior of beautiful blue Iznik tiles. Next is the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the center of chariot races during the Byzantine times. Thereafter, proceed to the magnificent St Sophia Museum, the great Byzantine basilica which is considered one of the architectural marvels of all times. After lunch departure to Bursa. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 2.
Day 2 (Bursa > Thyatira > Sardis > Philadelphia > Pamukkale)
After breakfast drive to Pamukkale. We will stop by Thyteria to see the remains of the church. This was one of the principal towns where Christianity spread quickly. Then we will drive to Sardis whose history dates back to 12th century B.C. Sardis felt the influence of Christianity very early and was included in the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. During the Byzantine times, it was the seat of a bishopric. Highlights will be a Synagogue, Gymnasium, Byzantine Church and the Temple of Artemis. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia which was an important Christian center during Byzantine times. We will see the ruins of the Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3.
Day 3 (Pamukkale > Hierapolis > Laodicea > Kusadasi)
In the morning we visit Hierapolis, which was founded by Pergamon King Telephus and named after his wife, Hiera. During the Byzantine period, the city became the seat of the diocese with a large Christian Church dedicated to St Philip, who was martyred there in 80 AD. Highlights include the Roman Baths, the Theatre and the famous white calcium cascades of Pamukkale (the white “Cotton Castles”). Then we will visit Laodicea, where we will find a Theatre, a large Stadium, a Water Tower and an Odeon. This city is supposed to have been named by Antiochus II in honor of his wife, Laodicea. Thereafter, we proceed to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4.
Day 4 (Kusadasi > Patmos > Kusadasi)
After breakfast visit drive to Selcuk town, we will visit the famous ancient city of Ephesus, one of the world’s finest archaeological sites. Our tour will begin with the Basilica of St John “the Evangelist” who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel in Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Theatre. We will also stop by the House of Virgin Mary (on top of Mt Coressos). She was believed to have spent her last years in this area. On 18 August 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed this place to be sacred. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 5.
Day 5 (Kusadasi > Patmos > Kusadasi)
Early morning, we embark on a chartered boat for a 3 hours ride to Patmos Island. The local guide will meet us at the port and then drive up to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, where we have a wonderful view of the island. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation where the heavenly voice of God revealed to St. John the future of humanity (Rev. 1:12-21). Return to the port in the late afternoon to board our ferry back to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadası
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 6.
Day 6 (Kusadasi > Izmir > Pergamon > Assos)
After breakfast, take a drive to Izmir and visit the Church of Smyrna. drive to the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 B.C., we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. Thereafter, we proceed to Assos. Dinner and overnight in Assos.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 7.
Day 7 (Assos > Troy > Canakkale)
Leave in the morning to Troas and Assos. Troas was a busy port situated on the north-west coast of Asia Minor. During his stay in Troas, St. Paul had a dream in which he saw a vision of a man asking him to “come over to Macedonia and help us” after which he decided to go to Europe. Assos perched high on a cliff overlooking the Aegean and the Island of Lesbos is breathtaking. Its Acropolis carries the impressive Temple of Athena. Arriving at Assos on foot from Troas, St. Paul preached here and climbed down to the little port on the shore to board the boat on his return journey to Jerusalem. Then we proceed to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Trojan Horse. Drive to Istanbul for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8.
Day 8 (Canakkale > Greece Border > Kavala)
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Greece Border. Cross to Ipsala at around 11:30. Meet on the Greece side of the border and walk to the coach. Depart and drive via the first Greek town, Alexandroupolis. Continue along the coast to Kavala, Biblical Neapolis. Drive to and visit Philippi. See the remains of the Agora, the Octagon, the remains of the 2 Basilicas and St. Paul’s prison. Completing the tour, drive to Kavala. Dinner and overnight in Kavala hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 9.
Day 9 (Kavala > Thessaloniki > Kalambaka)
Breakfast at the hotel. If not done, visit Philippi. Continue along the coast to Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. Proceed on tour. See the White Tower, (the symbol of the city), the Via Egnatia, the Church of St. Dimitrios, the Rotunda. Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive south, into central Greece, to Kalambaka, the town nestling at the foot of Meteora. On the way, visit the mountain town of Veria. See the spot from where St. Paul preached the gospel. Continue onto Kalambaka. Arrive in Kalambaka. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 10.
Day 10 (Kalambaka [Meteora] > Delphi)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Meteora with its impressive scenery, visit 2 monasteries, suspended between earth and sky. Inside, see priceless historical and religious treasures. Lunch at a local restaurant. Depart for Delphi, the navel of the earth. also visit Macedonia before return back to the hotel Dinner and overnight in Delphi hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 11.
Day 11 (Delphi > Athens)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to and visit the archaeological site of Delphi. On the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. See and visit the Doric Temple, the Treasury of the Athenians and see Castalia Spring. Visit also the museum holding masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture such as the bronze charioteer. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, depart to Athens. On the way, pass the mountain village of Arachova, Levadia and the town of Thebes. Arrive in Athens and see Syntagma Square, the House of Parliament and the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in their traditional costume. See the Athens Academy, the University and the National Library. Stop at the Pan Authentic Olympic stadium, (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896). See the archaeological site of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era, the new museum of Acropolis (Mondays closed). Completing the tour, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner transfer to the hotel and check-in. Overnight in Athens Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 12.
Day 12 (Corinth > Acropolis)
After breakfast, pick up from the hotel for your Full Day Tour. With an official English Speaking Guide drive west, along the coastal highway, the Apollo coast and stop to see the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and the Ionian Seas. Continue to and visit Ancient Corinth. See the Bema, the Temple of Apollo, the remains of the Agora, and Pyrene Fountain. Visit Cenchreaes and see from where St. Paul departed on his journey. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Athens and proceed on tour. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the Parthenon. Free time for shopping in the Plaka area and Syntagma Square until dinner at a local restaurant. AFTER DINNER TRANSFER to the Athens airport for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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