Biblical Greece and Turkey - Itinerary
Visit the “other Holy Land” found in Europe and Asia Minor! Known as the birthplace of both democracy and drama, the beautiful nation of Greece is a destination like no other - from the bustling city of Athens to the ancient temple at Delphi to the mountainous monasteries of Meteora. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey has played extensive roles in the development of human civilization and the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions.
Trace the history of early Christianity as you travel from Athens, where the gospel confronted the heart of pagan culture, to Istanbul, where Christianity became the official religion of the empire. In between, experience with new understanding and renewed faith the places that became the setting of the New Testament as you tour Biblical Greece and Turkey.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1, USA/ATHENS
Depart U.S.A. for Athens. (meals aloft)
Day 2, ATHENS
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Divani Palace or Resident Georgio for dinner and overnight. (meals aloft,D)
Day 3, ATHENS
Today we visit the Acropolis with the Parthenon shimmering in its ageless grace and unmatched design and the unique Erechtheion (the only double temple). Nearby we climb the Areopagus (Mars Hill), where Paul addressed the philosophic court about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17: 22-34). Our full day of touring also features a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, as well as a panoramic tour including Embassy Row, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Palace, the House of Parliament, and the University. (B,D)
Day 4, CORINTH/DELPHI
Today we drive to Corinth, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and the city of Paul's extensive personal ministry and challenging letter writing. Dominated by the Acro-corinth rising 1700 feet above the ruins, the Market Place is still laid out as it was in Paul's day with its stone Bema (judgment dais) where Gallio refused to condemn Paul (Acts 18). Nearby in a prominent place is the Temple of Apollo with its Doric columns. A superb collection of Corinthian artifacts greets the visitor in the museum. We drive through the beauty of the Greek countryside to Delphi for overnight at the Amalia Hotel. (B,D)
Day 5, DELPHI/METEORA
Site of the famed Oracle, Delphi's prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollos Pythios. We visit the treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze charioteer and the famous Athlete Aghias. We travel to Meteora for dinner and overnight at the Divani or Amalia Hotel. (B,D)
Day 6, METEORA/VERGINA/BEREA/THESSALONIKI
We tour Meteora, which lies amid striking mountainous scenery. Perched atop huge rocks stand ageless monasteries where we can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. The greatest of the monasteries is the richly endowed 14th century Grand Meteoron. We also see the simpler Convent of Aghios Stefanos, with its flower-filled courtyards and ancient cloisters. Continuing to Vergina, we visit the museum with its artifacts from the excavated tomb of Phillip II of Macedonia. We then drive to Berea, visited by Paul, and see the excavations of the ancient Jewish community, the residents of whom Luke described as "noble" (Acts 17:11). We continue to the Makedonia Palace in Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
(B,D)
Day 7, THESSALONIKI/PHILIPPI/ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Today we tour Thessaloniki, the city named for Salonike, the step-sister of Alexander the Great. Here Paul preached with success (Acts 17:1-9) and wrote the early letters to his beloved Macedonians (1 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:7-12). We visit the old city ramparts and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. We drive to Philippi, named for Philip II (the father of Alexander) and later made a Roman Colony in honor of Julius Caesar. Here Paul and Silas preached the gospel for the first time in Europe and were imprisoned. Here the first believers in Europe, including Lydia, were baptized in the Gangites River (Acts 16:13-34). To these people Paul addressed his wonderful letter about Christ our model. Here we visit the historic market place, basilica, prison, and theatre. We continue on the Egnatian Way through the ancient border province of Thrace where caravans from the east made their way to Europe. We reach Alexandroupolis and the Egnatia Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 8, TROAS/ASSOS
Today we cross the border into Turkey and visit Troas, a major sea port in the northwest part of the country near Homer's ancient city of Troy. It is the place where Paul, on his second missionary journey, had a vision of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16.9). We proceed to Assos, which Paul visited by foot after visiting Troas (Acts 20:13). Aristotle, Plato’s most famous student, was invited to Assos and spent over three years living and teaching here. The acropolis of Assos is 238 meters above sea-level, and the Temple of Athena was constructed on this site in the 6th century B.C. Below lies a tiny and idyllic ancient harbour. We have dinner and overnight in Assos at the Eden Gardens Hotel. (B,D)
Day 9, PERGAMON/KUSADASI
Today we explore Pergamon, the early Roman capital of the Roman province of Asia and today known as Bergama. Recipient of the apostle John's third letter in revelation, it was celebrated worldwide for its magnificent library with the 200,000 scrolls which Anthony presented to Cleopatra, for its parchment made of goatskin known as “Pergamum paper” used as a substitute for Egyptian papyrus, and for its Aesclepion (with its symbolic entwined snakes), which was the most advanced medical center in the ancient world. The largest of all Hellenistic theatres stands here and the city’s temples are remarkable for both their size and beauty. Following our time here, we continue to the Korumar Hotel near Ephesus for the first of three nights in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 10, EPHESUS/KUSADASI
We journey to Ephesus where Paul spent two years and which had become the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia by the time John wrote the Book of Revelation to the churches there. We walk through history in a city founded as early as the 10th century B.C. In the magnificent excavations we see streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Basilica of St. John and the great Theatre where the Ephesians screamed against Paul (Acts 19:28). Following our full day here, we return to Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day 11, PATMOS/KUSADASI
Today we sail by charter boat to the former Roman prison island of Patmos where John received his "Revelation," visiting the Grotto named for his book and the Monastery of St. John which houses ancient manuscripts including an early one of the Gospel. We return this afternoon to Kusadasi, where you may wish to shop for popular Turkish items such as carpets, towels, hand-painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copper, brassware and trays, ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. Other items you might wish to purchase are leather and suede goods, which are excellent and relatively inexpensive. Also, many different and unique backgammon sets, the national game of Turkey, are typically available. (B,D)
Day 12, IZMIR/ISTANBUL
This morning we travel to Izmir for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we tour Istanbul, visiting the spectacular Blue Mosque, the 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets. After leaving your shoes at the door, step inside to see the brightly-colored interior decorated with at least 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles and stained-glass windows. We stroll around the historical Hippodrome, where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman period. We will see the great St. Sophia, the headquarters church of the Byzantine empire and the largest building at that time, later converted into a mosque and now a museum famous for its mosaics. Then on to the Grand Bazaar, a market of over 3,000 tiny shops before dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 13, ISTANBUL/USA
We transfer to the airport this morning for our return transatlantic flight to the States. (B,meals aloft)
