Depart New York via jet service to Istanbul, Turkey.
DAY 02:
ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.
DAY 03:
ISTANBUL
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
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 04:
ISTANBUL / CANAKKALE
Depart Istanbul by motorcoach to Canakkale (Gallipoli), situated at the narrowest part of the Dardanelles Straits. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 05:
CANAKKALE / TROY / PERGAMON / IZMIR
This morning visit the ancient city of Troy, with its 4000 year history which recalls the epic struggle of the Iliad, and then through Pergamon (Bergama) to see the site of the Homonym Church, as well as the Acropolis, the Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of classical times, the Red Basilica, as well as the site of the Church of Pergamon. Continue to Izmir, the birthplace of Homer and the capital of the Aegean. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 06:
IZMIR/PAMUKKALE
Pamukkale
In Izmir today you will visit the site of the Church of Smyrna and tour the city. Enroute to Pamukkale visit the sites of the churches, theaters, Philadelphia, Sardis and Laodikia. Pamukkale, whose Turkish name means Cotton Castle, is so named for the spectacular and unique sight formed by cascades of white petrified water and calcerous salts rushing from different levels of height for thousands of years. It is the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 07:
PAMUKKALE / EPHESUS / KUSADASI
This morning drive to Ephesus where 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. Proceed to Kusadasi for overnight.
DAY 08:
KUSADASI / PATMOS
Church of St. John
This morning transfer to the port to board the ship and sail to Patmos. Board your motorcoach at the port of Scala, which will take you on a short journey to the village of Chora, where the Monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. Walk uphill towards the entrance of the Monastery. The Monastery which was built 900 years ago, is rich in chapels and treasures. Outstanding are the frescoes in the church and the treasures of the museum. Books and manuscripts, mosaic icons, splendid medieval textiles and vestments as well as jewelry. Continue to the nearby Grotto of the Apocolypse. Above the Grotto stands the Church of the Apocalypse, a part of the main Monastery. Visit the Grotto and see the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow and the ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of Revelations and the three-fold crack made by the Voice of God to emphasize the honor of the Trinity. Return to the ship.
DAY 09:
RHODES / LINDOS
Acropolis at Lindos
Drive along the picturesque eastern coastline, scattered with white washed villages, to Lindos. The most important of the three great cities of ancient times is guarded by Medieval walls constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis there are breathtaking views of the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay where the Apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill to the Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico to the Temple of Athena. Return to Rhodes. Enjoy a panoramic drive in the new part of the city, and then see the ruins of ancient Rhodes town, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium.
DAY 10:
CRETE (HERAKLION) / SANTORINI
A short drive from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion town to Knossos, once the capital of the prehistoric Minoan civilization, and thought to be the basis for the original Labyrinth housing the mythological Minotaur. Visit a portion of the excavated and partially reconstructed Palace of King Minos, as well as the surrounding area. The Palace houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, decorated with frescoes and shields, the Hall of the Double Axes, and the King's Chamber and the Queens Apartment (currently closed for restoration). Returning to Heraklion enjoy a visit to the extraordinary Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Return to the ship for lunch. Sail to SANTORINI. Enjoy a short trip by local caique to Athenios harbor. Board your motorcoach and proceed to the site of AKROTIRI. Often compared to Pompeii, Akrotiri boasts a much earlier age and preserves amazing ruins dated from the second millennium BC, the beautiful pottery, the two and three story houses, once decorated with renowned wall paintings, staircases and a great variety of rooms, the roads and squares of a city 3500 years old. On through the beautiful countryside to Fira, an attractive town perched on the Caldera rim where the land slopes gently in one direction and falls steeply into the sea on the other. Enjoy the town at leisure. Here is the ideal spot to gaze down upon Kamenes, the two black volcanic islets in the Caldera Bay. Take the cable car down to the small pier of Scala from where the vessel's tenders will take you back to your ship.
DAY 11:
PIRAEUS / CORINTH
Ruins of Corinth
Morning city sightseeing of Athens which will include a visit to the world renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylea. Thereafter we will ascend Mars Hill, where Paul preached. Also, view the Agora (ancient market place, 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. Proceed for a visit to 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 Saviour 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 Ionian and Aegean Seas. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 12:
ATHENS
The Parthenon
Morning city sightseeing of Athens which will include a visit to the world renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylea. Thereafter we will ascend Mars Hill, where Paul preached. Also, view the Agora (ancient market place, 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. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of ancient Corinth, seeing the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, and the Market Place and Temples. Balance of the day at leisure for last minute shopping. Return to your hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13:
ATHENS /NEW YORK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrival in the afternoon the same day.
