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DAY 01: NORTH AMERICA / ZURICH Depart North America Airport via jet service to Zurich. Meals will be served in flight.
DAY 02: ZURICH / IZMIR / KUSADASI Connecting flight out of Zurich to Izmir on the Aegean coast, Turkey's third largest city. We will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Kusadasi, a beautiful port city. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 03: KUSADASI / EPHESUS This morning we will tour the fantastic restorations of Ephesus. The ruins are extensive and continue to expand. Paul spent up to three years in this city preaching and teaching. The enormous amphitheater still stands as a mute witness to the riots against St. Paul in this city. Sites, too numerous to mention, will include the Basilica of St. John, Temple of Artemis, the Library of Ceisus, the House of the Virgin Mary and many others. Return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 04: KUSADASI / SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA / PAMUKKALE We will leave our hotel early, driving first to Sardis one of the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 3:1-6). This was the ancient capital of Lydia where King Croesus ruled. Drive through the valley of the Hermus River to Alasehir, Philadelphia, home of another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 7-13), the one to whom the risen Christ presented "an open door". Continue to Pamukkale, a site that will appear to be winter in the middle of summer! Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 05: PAMUKKALE This resort area first appears as an enormous chalky white cliff rising some 330 feet from the plain below. Mineral-rich volcanic spring water cascades over natural terraces, solidifying over the centuries into white crystallized curtains and shallow warm pools. Take off your shoes and enjoy! The site of the ancient city of Hierapoolis is nearby. On to Colossae, only an unexcavated hill now, but in Paul's day this was the location of the Colossian church to which Paul wrote. Then to Laodicea, the last of the Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 3:14-22) and the most infamous with its "lukewarm" faith. Return to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.
DAY 06: PAMUKKALE / PSIDIAN ANTIOCH / KONYA Our driving route east from Pamukkale will carry us through some of the region Paul traveled on his second and third missionary journeys. Our destination is Yalvac, the ancient city of Psidian Antioch (Acts 13:14-52). This was an important mission city for Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. We will visit the ruins of ancient Antioch and then continue on to Konya, ancient Iconium, which was the next stop for the Apostles on their first missionary journey (Acts 14:1-7). Dinner and overnight in Konya.
DAY 07: KONYA /LYSTRA / DERBE / CAPPADOCIA Remains of first century Iconium (present day Konya) are not extensive. An important city in Paul's day, Konya is today the fifth largest city in Turkey and home to the Whirling Dervishes, an Islamic Sect. The other two cities which Paul and Barnabas evangelized were Derbe and Lystra (Acts 14:8-23). Neither town is an impressive center today. We will see what remains from Paul's time and remember how costly was this journey for the Apostles. Continue to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.
DAY 08: CAPPADOCIA A full day excursion into the magical region of Cappadocian hills and valleys, and underground hideaways. This area is fascinating because of its extraordinary geological formations. You must see it to believe it! It is of special interest to Christians because Cappadocia was the area where the faithful fled for safety in the early centuries (I Pet. 1:1). We will visit underground cities, the churches of Goreme, the fortress at Uchisar, see Zelve Valley and the quaint village of Avanos. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
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DAY 09: CAPPADOCIA / ANKARA / ISTANBUL Morning departure from Cappadocia and drive along the shores of the great Salt Lake to Ankara. The capital city is noted for its Museum on the Anatolian Civilizations, as well as its memorial to the revered founder of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk. Proceed to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 10: ISTANBUL Full day tour of the Old City. Visit the Church in Chora, outstanding for its mosaics and frescoes of Biblical scenes. See Haggia Sophia, the oldest Christian basilica, fourth largest church building in the world, and the seat of the Ecumenical Councils. Visit the Circus Maximus of Constantinople, the Hippodrome. After absorbing the magnificent beauty of the Blue Mosque, visit Topkapi Palace, home of sultans with its incredible collection of jewels and china. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: ISTANBUL / THESSALONIKI Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
DAY 12: THESSALONIKI / KAVALA / NEAPOLIS / PHILIPPI Today become acquainted with Thessaloniki, built 315 BC by Cassander, brother-in-law of Alexander, where Paul wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians. Then skirt the Lakes Koronia and Volvi into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Aside from the great panoramas of Kavala, the city has a Byzantine castle, aqueduct, and museum containing finds from ancient Amphiopolis and Philippi. Follow the Via Egnatia, remnant of Rome's highway system, viewing Roman and Greek tombstones and ruts of ancient chariot wheels, some ten miles northwest of Kavala to Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized "a certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman Forum, completely excavated, is from after Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road, is the "prison" where Paul and Silas were thrown. In the rocks you will find inscriptions and carved reliefs of deities. It was in Philippi that Octavian and Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius, last defenders of the Roman Republic in 42 BC. Return to your hotel.
DAY 13: DELPHI Leave Thessaloniki for Delphi via the National Highway passing near Thebes - Levadia (stop) - Arachova. Visit the Archaeological Museum with its spectacular finds including the world famous Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos and marvel at the Ancient Sanctuary of Apollo. Proceed to Athens.
DAY 14: ATHENS / CORINTH Drive to visit Ancient Corinth, seeing the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Marketplace, and Temples. Corinth was home to St. Paul for 18 months. From the Bema at Corinth, Paul spoke to the Corinthians about Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On the way to Corinth, stop for a few minutes at the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponese from the Greek mainland and connects the two Seas (Ionian and Aegean). Return to Athens for a city sightseeing tour. Visit the world renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylea. Thereafter, ascend Mars Hill, where Paul preached. Also view the Agora (ancient marketplace and former center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Palace, now called the Presidential Palace.
DAY 15: ATHENS / NORTH AMERICA Transfer to the Athens International Airport for our flight home. Arrival in the afternoon, local time, the same day.
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