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TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 01 Depart New York, JFK
Day 02 Arrive Amman Airport (Jordan)
Arrive Amman Airport. Our representative will meet you
after the customs and baggage claim. Meet and drive to
Amman. Overnight Amman. (D)
Day 03 Amman – Jerash – Madaba – Petra
Visit some of the ancient ruins of Amman (ancient
Philadelphia – yet another of the Decapolis cities). Visit
also the Archaeological museum of Amman before traveling
south to Bethabara, the place where John the Baptist
proclaimed the coming Kingdom of God. Visit Jerash; the
best–preserved city of the Roman times; theatres, temples,
and colonnaded street. Later visit Mt. Nebo from where Moses
looked upon the Promised Land and where he was buried. Visit
Madaba, the “City of Mosaics”, best known for its
spectacular Byzantine mosaics, including the famous 6th
century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Continue
to Petra. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B, D)
Day 04 Petra
After breakfast, visit the famous Nabatean city of
Petra, one of the wonders of the world. Walk along the
narrow gorge of the “Siq” and visit the rose–red stone
carved ancient city, founded by the Nabateans. Visit the
monastery, the temples and enter into some of the famous
tombs hewn into the red sandstone. Dinner & overnight in
Petra. (B,D)
Day 05 Petra – Masada - Jerusalem
Drive to the World Heritage Site of Wadi Rum with its
sheer walled mountains and huge sand dunes. This is the area
where Laurence of Arabia was active during WW1 and where he
built his Bedouin army. Drive to the border crossing and
enter Israel. Ride to the top of Masada. Masada was the
final holdout for Jewish rebels at the end of the Roman war
in the first century. Later, head to En Gedi where David hid
in a cave from King Saul. Continue on with a visit to
Qumran, the place where the “Dead Sea Scrolls” were
unearthed in 1947 by two Bedouin shepherds. Proceed to
Jerusalem passing by Jericho and the Good Samaritan Inn.
Stop at the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking view of the
Holy City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
(B, D)
Day 06 Jerusalem
Full day Jerusalem View Old City from Mt. of Olives;
walk down the mountain via Dominus Flevit Church to
Gethsemane; Church of the Nations; past the Golden and
Herod’s Gates; option of walking through Hezekiah’s Water
Tunnel or shopping in Old City City of David excavations
(including Hezekiah’s Water tunnel entrance, Pool of
Bethesda, Ophel, and Warren Shaft); Western Wall
excavations; Haram esh–Sharif (Temple Mount); Western Wall
and Rabbinic Tunnel; Church of St. Anne’s and Pool of
Bethesda; Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre;
Jewish Quarter, Hezekiah’s Broad Wall, Cardo; the Cenacle
(Room of Last Supper; walk on old City walls and back to
hotel. Tonight, Light Show in David’s Tower. Overnight in
Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 07 Jerusalem Old City
Visit Bethlehem and Fields of the Shepherds; Ramat
Rachel; Israel Museum (Shrine of the Book, Model City of
Jerusalem); Yad Vashem; Garden Tomb for Communion; possible
walk to Western Wall for of Sabbath. Overnight in Jerusalem.
(B, D)
Day 08 Jerusalem – Safed – Nazareth – Sepphoris –
Tiberias
Drive to the Golan Heights. Visit the Syrian
fortifications, Birkat Ram, and the Druze villages. Korazin,
On to Banias, source of the Jordan River. Proceed via Kiryat
Shmona and the Hula Valley to Safed, city of the kabbalah,
to visit the old synagogues and artist’s colony and then to
Nazareth to visit the Christian holy sites. Nazareth, the
village where Jesus spent most of his life. Visit the Mount
of Precipice, the Basilica of the Annunciation and Mary’s
Well. Continue to Cana of Galilee, site where Jesus turned
the water into wine, and then to the ancient city of
Sepphoris, the main urban center in Galilee during Jesus’
time. Sepphoris is among the best preserved and excavated
archaeological sites in Israel with beautiful mosaic floors
and many public buildings. On the way back to Tiberias, take
a short walk to the high cliffs of Arbel, with a panoramic
view of the Sea of Galilee and the northern part of Israel.
Return to the Kibbutz for dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
(B, D)
Day 09 Tiberias – Caesarea – Tel Aviv
Start with a visit to the “Jesus Boat”, a 2000 year old
fishermen’s boat that was discovered in the Sea of Galilee
and Migdol, the city of Mary Magdalene (with a newly
discovered 1st century synagogue). Continue to Capernaum,
the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many
of his miracles. Walk among the ruins of the ancient
synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped and view the
remains of first century houses, including one which may
have been Peter’s. Finally, travel to Caesarea Philippi
where Jesus gathered his disciples and asked “Who do the
people say that I am?” This was an important teaching moment
for Jesus’ followers. Dinner & overnight in Tel Aviv. (B, D)
Day 10 Tel Aviv – Istanbul
Early flight to Istanbul. Arrive at Istanbul
International airport after passport control start for the
tour. Begin at the Hagia Sophia (the church of “Holy
Wisdom”)—the crowning achievement of the sacred building
program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th–century head of the
Christian Byzantine Empire. This great domed structure
remains one of the most impressive sacred edifices ever
constructed to the glory of God. We also visit the Blue
Mosque which was built during the years 1609–1616 and which
was intended to compete with the impressive beauty of the
Hagia Sophia. Inside, the famous blue–and–white tile work
from which the mosque gets its nickname, is bathed in light
from 260 windows. Nearby is located the Hippodrome which
once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of
Constantinople and originally held up to 100,000 people.
Although little is left of this gigantic stadium, there are
a number of impressive columns and other structures situated
at the site. We then head underground to the Basilica
Cistern, a vast water cistern located underneath the city.
The cistern’s roof is held up by 336 columns of over 26 feet
high. Visitors tread walkways to the mixed sounds of
classical music and dripping water, making this perhaps the
most unusual tourist attraction in Istanbul. We then enjoy a
beautiful Boat Tour on the Bosphorus Sea. This is a relaxing
and excellent vantage point to view Istanbul’s many famous
landmarks that dot both its European and Asian shores.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)
Day 11 Istanbul
First, visit to the Archeological Museum which houses
spectacular finds from all over Turkey, including many items
that relate to biblical history. Next proceed to the nearby
Hagia Eirene (“Church of Holy Peace”), built in 324 AD on
the site of Aphrodite’s temple and dedicated by Emperor
Constantine as the city’s first church and main cathedral
until the completion of Hagia Sophia in 360 AD. The second
of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was held here in 381 AD.
This was one of the more important councils, making ten
additions to the Nicene Creed and affirming the deity of the
Holy Spirit. Our final stop is the impressive Topkapi
Palace. This elaborate complex of buildings and gardens,
originating in the 15th century and greatly expanded over
the following centuries, now is a museum that houses
important artifacts and treasures relating to Turkish life
and history during the Ottoman Empire. Dinner and overnight
in Istanbul. (B, D)
Day 12 Istanbul – Cappadocia
Fly Cappadocia in late morning. Afternoon visit in
Cappadocia the underground city of Kaymalki. This is one of
around 40 underground cities whose use dates back to the 5th
century BC, which were extensively occupied by Christians
during the Byzantine period. Optional ‘’Evening Folk
dances’’ show. Overnight Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 13 Cappadoccia – Konya
Optional Hot Air balloon in early morning. Full day
exploring Cappadocia. The remarkable region of Cappadocia is
where the erosion of soft volcanic stone has created bizarre
yet beautiful geological formations—rock cones, capped
pinnacles, stark ravines and steep precipices. The Göreme
Valley, declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site,
contains some 30 or more churches built by carving rooms out
of the soft volcanic tufa. These churches date from the 9th
century onwards and feature superb Byzantine frescoes of
biblical and early Christian scenes. Leave the magical
region of Cappadocia for the three–hour drive to Konya.
Dinner and overnight in Konya. (B, D)
Day 14 Konya – Antioch of Pisidia – Antalya
Visit Konya, known in the ancient world as Iconiun, was a
key place where Paul ministered not only on his first
missionary journey (Acts 14:1–7) but almost certainly on his
second and third missionary journeys as well (Acts 16:6;
18:23). Stop briefly at Alaadin Tepesis—the current location
of one of the oldest mosques in the city but more
importantly the acropolis of ancient Iconium. The columns in
the mosque date back to Roman times and so connect us to the
ministry of Paul in this city. Located nearby is the ancient
city of Lystra, which we will not visit, since it today
contains little left of its former glory. Yet it is another
important site in Paul’s life, since here too the apostle
ministered on each of his three missionary journeys (Acts
14:5–20; Acts 16:6; 18:23) and was the home town of his
closest helper, Timothy. We travel next to an even more
important city in Paul’s first missionary journey: Antioch
of Pisidia (not to be confused with Antioch on the Orontes).
Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of a
thriving city, complete with theater, imperial temple,
stadium, baths, water fountains, paved streets and aqueduct.
This Antioch included Christians to whom Paul wrote in his
letter to the Galatians. We visit both the ruins of the
ancient city as well as its small museum in Yalvac, which
contains the important Sergius Paulus inscription and the
famous funerary inscription of Caesar Augustus. Drive south
over the Taurus Mountains to Antalya, a popular resort town
on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. (B, D)
Day 15 Antalya – Perge – Antalya
Visit Perge, where Paul landed after sailing from the island
of Cyprus during his first missionary journey (Acts
14:13–14). That Perge was a wealthy city is still easily
seen today from its 15,000–seat theatre, 12,000–seat
stadium, Hellenistic gate with its “Twin Towers,” baths with
under–floor heating, colonnaded marketplace, water
fountains, and impressive colonnaded street with a flowing
water channel in the middle. A little further east is
Aspendos, which is impressive for both its magnificent
aqueduct and its 20,000–seat theatre which is the
best–preserved in the whole of Turkey. Return to Antalya,
which in Paul’s day was known as Atallia and was the place
from where the apostle sailed home at the end of his first
missionary journey (Acts 14:25–26). In the heart of the old
town we will visit St. Paul Cultural Center, a “coffee shop”
run by Christians that more importantly also serves as home
to two churches: one Turkish and the other international.
Enjoy a tasty lunch (a modest donation for the lunch will
help support the ministry here) and then listen to a Turkish
pastor about what it is like to live as a Christian in a
country where 99.9% of its citizens are Muslim. Afterwards,
we will have free time to walk and shop in the quaint
restored area of the old harbor, also enjoying the view of
the very port from which Paul sailed. Dinner and overnight
in Antalya. (B, D)
Day 16 Antalya – Colossae – Laodicea – Pamukkale
Drive north over the Taurus Mountains to the Lycus Valley
where three important biblical cities are to be found:
Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Our first stop in
Colossae will be brief, since this site has not yet been
excavated. Nevertheless, this is an important site for
Christians to visit, since Paul sent here two letters: one
to the church of Colossae and one to the rich Christian
slave–owner Philemon, who hosted the Colossian church in his
home. Our second stop is Laodicea. Although the excavation
work is still in its early stages, Laodicea was a major city
in Roman times, as is clear from not only the size of the
ancient site but also its two theatres, stadium, aqueduct
and major street lined with shops. Laodicea is not only the
last of the seven churches to whom John directed the book of
Revelation (Rev. 3:14–22), but it also had a close
relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and
Hierapolis (Col. 4:13–15) and was the recipient of one of
Paul’s now lost letters (Col. 4:16). Overnight in one of the
nearby modern resorts of Pammukale whose thermal baths
are sure. (B, D)
Day 17 Hierapolis (Pammukale) – Philadelphia –
Sardis – Smyrna (Izmir)
Start the day by visiting the third of the three key
biblical cities in the Lycus Valley: Hierapolis. With its
hot thermal springs well–known already in the ancient world
for its medicinal qualities as well its spectacular white
travertine terraces, Hierapolis remains just as popular with
travelers today
as it was in biblical times. Equally impressive, however,
are the remains of the ancient city: the Arch of Domitian, a
colonnaded street and marketplace, ancient baths, a
20,000–seat theatre built in 200 BC, the largest ancient
graveyard in Anatolia containing over 1,200 tombs, tumuli
and sarcophagi, and the Martyrium of St. Philip, a 5th
century AD structure on the site where Philip—either the
apostle or the evangelist (Acts 6:1–7; 21:8–9; Acts of
Philip)—was believed to have been killed in AD 80. Our next
stop is Philadelphia where much of this ancient city in an
earthquake–prone area has either been destroyed or lies
buried under the modern city. John wrote to the church here
(Rev. 3:7–13), commending them for their patience endurance
in spite of persecution. Our third stop is Sardis (Rev.
3:1–6). Here we see the remains of the magnificent temple of
Artemis, the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium and public
baths, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We
end the day in the port city of Izmir, known in the ancient
world as Smyrna and now the third largest city in Turkey.
(B, D)
Day 18 Smyrna (Izmir) – Pergamum – Thyatira
Drive to Pergamum which is one of the most impressive
archaeological sites in all of Turkey. Its attractions are
hard to surpass: a 10,000–seat theatre on the side of the
acropolis which is the steepest in the ancient world; the
magnificently restored temple of Trajan; a library of
200,000 volumes second in size only to that in Alexandria;
the base of the Altar of Zeus; the temple of Dionysus; and
the medical center of Asclepius with its own theatre,
library, underground tunnel and other buildings. John warned
the church here that they were living in a place of “Satan’s
throne” (Rev. 2:12–17). If time permits, stop briefly in the
ancient city of Thyatira, where, due to the presence of the
modern city of Akhisar, few archaeological remains have thus
far been uncovered. John warned the church here about its
toleration of a woman symbolically called Jezebel who was
leading believers astray, causing them “to practice sexual
immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev.
2:18–29). Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
(B, D)
Day 19 Izmir – Ephesus – Izmir
Drive to Selçuk. Firstly, visit The Basilica of St John.
Then visit the most impressive biblical site of our trip:
Ephesus. The former glory of this city can still today be
easily appreciated from its well–preserved streets, temples,
fountains, public baths, terraced houses and theatres.
Ephesus was also the site of the Artemis temple—one of seven
wonders of the ancient world. There is the same theatre
where some 24,000 citizens of Ephesus gathered shouting
“Great is Artemis!” in a riot started in response to Paul’s
ministry there. The apostle visited this city only briefly
during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18–21) but
returned during his third missionary journey for a much
longer period of two years and three months (Acts
19:1–20:1). Timothy later served as pastor in this city
during which time Paul wrote him two letters (1 & 2
Timothy). Some years later Ephesus served as the home base
for the apostle John’s ministry from where he wrote a number
of letters (1, 2, 3 John) and to which he sent the Book of
Revelation. In addition to the ancient city, visit the
“slope houses” (the wealthiest homes in Ephesus that have
been marvelously reconstructed), the Ephesus Museum, which
houses several impressive items from this site. Overnight in Izmir. (B,
D)
Day 20 Izmir
Izmir, one of the Seven Churches and one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities of the world. First, drive up
to Mt. Pagus (now called Kadifekale or “Velvet Castle”)
which is the acropolis of ancient Smyrna from where we have
a great view of the modern city of Izmir and its harbor.
Here we think about John’s word of commendation for the
Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in the faith
despite persecution (Rev. 2:8–11). Then visit the ancient
Agora of Smyrna (modern Izmir), then the Archaeological
Museum, the Dario Moreno Street, the Old Elevator with a
panoramic view of the Izmir Bay, the vivid Kemeraltı Bazaar
and the authentic Hisarönü Mosque. Taste the freshly
grounded Turkish coffee after the exploration of the
Kızlarağası Han Caravanserai. At the end of the Kemeraltı
Bazaar there is the famous Konak Square where the symbol of
the city, the grand Ottoman Clock Tower standsand the famous
bazaar area of Kemeraltı. Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Day 21 Izmir – Thessaloniki
Transfer to Izmir International Airport. Fly to Thessaloniki.
Visit Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was accused of
turning the world upside down by his preaching of Christ
(Acts 17: 3–6), and the church to which he addressed his
Thessalonian epistles, visit St. George’s Basilica, where
tradition holds it is built over the synagogue where Paul
preached. View the
Old City Ramparts, and the Galerius Arch that rises over the
Via Egnatia. Visit the Archaeological Museum. See two of the
most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Sophia and St.
Demetrios, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman
army and a martyred Christian convert. Dinner and overnight
in Thessaloniki. (B, D)
Day 22 Philippi – Thessaloniki
Drive to Philippi, where Paul, intending to find a place to
pray by the riverside, spoke to women who had gathered there
among whom was Lydia, the seller of purple and whose heart
the Lord opened to hear the words that he spoke (Acts
16:13–15). Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on
European soil. Visit the place where this event is
remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period,
which is thought to have served as a prison for the apostle
Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, the
Basilica, and the Theater. Drive back and overnight in
Thessaloniki. (B, D)
Day 23 Thessaloniki – Athens
Transfert to Thessaloniki Airport. Fly to Athens. Arrive to
Athens. Follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis,
the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars
Hill where the apostle Paul stood and said, “ I found an
altar with this inscription, to the unknown God. Whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you”
(Acts 17:23). See the Agora, the ancient market place and
center of the Athenian public life, where the apostle Paul
preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18) to the
skeptical Athenians. Also see the House of Parliament, the
Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Overnight in Athens. (B, D)
Day 24 Athens – Corinth – Athens
In Corinth, the city where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla,
the tent makers, and where the Lord spoke to Paul by a
vision saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee
to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:
10). Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place and
Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where
Paul stood before Gallio facing charges brought by the Jews
that were dropped. Paul stayed awhile in Corinth before
leaving for Syria from the port at Cenchraeae (Acts 18:
12–18). Overnight in Athens. (B, D)
Day 25 Athens – Rome
Transfer to Athens Airport for flight to Rome. Arrive Rome
and transfer to the hotel for check–in. After settling in,
set off on an orientation walk through the Centro Storico –
the historical center – and see the famous monuments and
piazzas that make Rome the most magnificent of Italian
cities. The ancient Romans referred to Rome as Caput Mundi –
the head of the world. As the center of the Roman Republic
and then the Empire, Rome witnessed 1,000 years of one of
the greatest civilizations in the world before becoming the
seat of what is now the Catholic Church. Evidence of the
glory of ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance can be
seen throughout the historical center. Dinner and overnight
in Rome. (B, D)
Day 26 Rome
Morning begins with a visit to one of the most important
museums in the world. Legally its own country, Vatican City
is the head and administrative center of the Catholic
Church. One of the most extensive museum collections in the
world, the museum is also home to the Sistine Chapel, where
the legendary Michelangelo created one of his most famous
masterpieces on the ceiling. After the museums we will visit
St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Catholic basilica ever
built. It’s soaring dome was engineered by Michelangelo and
the artist’s famous Pieta sculpture and countless other
artistic wonders make St. Peter’s church one of the most
awe–inspiring buildings in the world. Following lunch, we
will be given a rare, very special tour of the ancient
necropolis beneath the Basilica of St. Peter’s – the site of
St. Peter’s tomb. We will then head over to the Basilica of
San Clemente, a church whose multiple subterranean levels
attest to 2,000 years of the neighborhood’s history. We will
wrap up our day with a tour of a site that features some
subterranean ancient Roman homes with a very special and
sacred history. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)
Day 27 Rome
Begin the day with a visit to the Pantheon, a building
dedicated to the worship of the state gods and for the
imperial cult. Then, we will explore the famous Colosseum –
the largest ancient amphitheater in the world and the site
of countless gladiator games. In the afternoon we will tour
the Roman forum, the administrative capital of the Empire
and the site of some of the most famous speeches in history
by the likes of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cicero. As
we leave the forum we will pay a visit to the site of the
Mamertine prison, where according to tradition St. Peter was
incarcerated before his execution in 64 A.D. This will be
followed by a short journey outside the city center to visit
one of the most unique catacomb complexes in the city: The
Catacombs of St. Priscilla, which features the earliest
known depiction of the Virgin Mary is located. Overnight in
Rome. (B, D)
Day 28 Rome – Fly USA or Canada (B)
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