WESTERN TURKEY AND 3 DAYS GREEK CRUISE

Istanbul, Seven Churches of the Revelation, Greek Island Cruise, Patmos, Corinth and Athens

Day 1 Monday: Depart From USA

Day 2 Tuesday: Arrive Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul Airport. Welcome and transfer to hotel with our representative. (D)

Day 3 Wednesday: Istanbul
Whole-day tour of the Topkapi Palace with its harem and fabulous treasure chambers, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets, and St. Sofia (church of the sacred wisdom), converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. See also the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt and try out your bargaining abilities in the Grand (covered) Bazaar. (B,D)

Day 4 Thursday: Istanbul - Izmir
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir we commence our visit of St. Policarp which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna and drive to Alexander the Great’s “Velvet Castle” for a panoramic view of Izmir. Overnight Izmir. (B,D)

Day 5 Friday: Izmir - Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Whole-day tour to Pergamum (Bergama), also one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12] where we explore the impressive Acropolis, the Asklepieion, the Altar of Zeus, referred to as the ‘Throne of Satan’ in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the former world-renowned library which was for a long time arch-rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. We also visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church), then continue on to Thyatira (now Akhisar), yet again one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14] and famous for purple dye. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)

Day 6 Saturday: Sardis - Philadelphia - Hierapolis
Depart to Sardis (Sart), one of the most picturesque sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4] and the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom of the 6th century B.C. Visit the great Temple of Artemis, the Temple of Cybele, ancient Lydian houses, and the restored gymnasium and reconstructed synagogue. We will also see the remains of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis and the ‘golden’ river Pactolos. On to Philadelphia, modern-day Alasehir, another of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7]. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica and 11th century frescoes. Lastly on to the city of Hierapolis [Col. 4:13], now Pamukkale, the white ‘cotton fortress’ where ancient hot mineral springs said to have therapeutic qualities cascade over steep cliffs and form stalactites and pools. Here we also visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian and see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century A.D. theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 7 Sunday: Laodicea - Aphrodisias - Kusadasi
Next stop Laodicea (Denizli), one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13-16]. Depart to Aphrodisias to visit the 30,000-capacity ancient stadium, the best-preserved ever excavated. We also see the Odeon, the Temple of Aphrodite, Hadrian’s Bath and the Bishop’s Palace. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 8 Monday: Ephesus - Kusadasi
Today we spend our whole day at the ancient city of Ephesus where the apostle Paul lived and preached for three years and to where he subsequently sent his letter to the Ephesians. Excavations are still being carried out in this once great city, famous for the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and dating from the 10th century B.C. Here you can see the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the theater. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John followed by free time for shopping in the bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 9 - Tuesday: Embark Greek Cruise - Patmos
At 09.00am, transfer from Hotel to the port of Kusadasi for embarkation on our cruise ship. Sail for Patmos, Greece at noon. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Wednesday: Greek Cruise - Rhodes
Sail to Rhodes. Free time in Rhodes from 7:00am to 6:00 pm. Optional Shore Excursion is available at extra cost. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Thursday: Greek Cruise - Heraklion & Santorini
Sail to Crete island. Free time in Crete from 7:00am to 11:30am. Then sail to Santorini. Free time in Santorini from 4:30pm to 9:00pm. Optional Shore Excursions are available at extra cost. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Friday: Disembark In Athens - Corinth & Athens
Arrive Athens Pireus port at 6:00am. Leave the Cruise Ship and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Today, full day Corinth and Athens tour. At 08:00 am our excursion out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf, where in 480 BC history’s root was changed! The small Grecian fleet managed to defeat the enormously powerful armada of the Persians. From here, via the historic Corinthian Canal, we arrive at ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18 Here, we see all of the sites associated with Paul’s ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! We see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica in Cenchreae before returning to Athens. In the afternoon we enjoy our sightseeing tour of Athens (Acts 17:15). We climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechteion. Then, we go to nearby Mars’ Hill (or Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. (B,D)

Day 13 - Saturday: Departure Back
Transfer to Athens Airport for flight back to USA. End of our services. (B)