Turkey & Greece

Day 1: Departure USA

Departure USA for overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2: Arrival — Istanbul

Upon our arrival, we are met, assisted with luggage and taken by private, deluxe motor coach to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Istanbul — Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace

Breakfast at the hotel. We visit the architecturally magnificent Blue Mosque and then the Hippodrome, where chariot races and athletic events took place during the Roman period. Continue to the St. Sophia (Hagia) Church, or the Church of the Divine Wisdom, built by Justinian. In the afternoon, we explore Topkapi Palace, residence of the Sultans for almost three centuries, and the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Istanbul — Kariye Museum, Bosphorus & Spice Market

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit of the Kariye Museum, the old church of St. Savior in Chora, with its marvelous mosaics and frescoes drawn from the cycle of life of the Virgin and Christ. Then it's off to the Suleymaniye Mosque Complex. In the afternoon a short cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait dividing Europe and Asia Minor. Return to the Old Town and a visit to the Spice Market. Dinner and overnight Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Troy & Assos

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Assos as we enjoy our pleasant drive through fertile fields of Thrace, reaching the Dardanelles Strait and cross by ferry onto Asia Minor. Docking at the Port of Canakkale, we continue to Troy for an afternoon sightseeing. We drive by the ancient city of Homeric Troy to Assos for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Pergamum, Thyatira & Izmir

Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Pergamum for a visit to the Acropolis. Pergamum was referred to in the Bible as "Satan's Seat". However, this city was a great center of scholarship and learning. We continue to the Asclepion, an ancient hospital. In the afternoon, drive through cotton fields and olive orchards on to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira. After a stop at the remains of this Biblical city, we continue to Izmir, ancient Smyrna, for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea & Pamukkale

Breakfast at the hotel. We board our private motor coach for Sardis to see the remains of the largest ancient synagogue ever found, the beautifully restored Synagogue/Church. Continue to Philadelphia, a city built in 2 BC by King Eumenes. Continue to Pamukkale for a visit to the remains of Laodicea and the Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight Pamukkale.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8: Virgin Mary's House, St. John's Basilica & Ephesus

Breakfast at the hotel. Our drive this morning is to the home of the Virgin Mary, which is visited by over 100,000 pilgrims each year. We continue to St. John's Basilica and tomb. In the afternoon, we visit Ephesus, the best preserved site in Asia Minor. Walk down the marble street that Paul walked and held many discussions; visit the Temple of Artemis, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian and theatre. Dinner and overnight Kusadasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Departure / Board Greece Cruise

Breakfast at the hotel. For those returning to the States, transfer to Izmir Airport for flight home. For those continuing with the Optional Greece & Greek Islands Cruise, transfer to the ship at Kusadasi.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Optional Greece Extension — Patmos

We board our first class ship in Kusadasi where we all have ocean view cabins. Our first stop is the Island of Patmos, where our included sightseeing is the Grotto where John was exiled and St. John's Monastery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Optional Greece Extension — Rhodes

RHODES, the Island of Roses. The people of Rhodes maintain that Paul stayed on their island and preached, bringing many people into the faith. You have the opportunity to explore this island on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Optional Greece Extension — Crete & Santorini

CRETE / SANTORINI. Perhaps you wish to join a tour to the fabled Palace of Knossos on Crete before sailing to Santorini (said to be the most beautiful of all the Greek Islands), where you can take the cable car to the top.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Optional Greece Extension — Athens

ATHENS. We leave the ship this morning and begin our excursion of this incredible city. We visit Mars Hill, the Acropolis and Parthenon. Here, Paul debated the elders of the senate. Continue to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the Royal Panathenian Stadium; the Temple of Zeus; Adrian's Arch; Constitution Square; and the House of Parliament. Dinner and overnight Athens.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14: Optional Greece Extension — Corinth

ATHENS. Breakfast at the hotel. Our excursion this morning is to Corinth, where Paul spent two years teaching the Corinthians. We see the Bema where he stood; the Temple of Apollo and Agora. Time is given at the Corinth Canal for sightseeing and pictures. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15: Optional Greece Extension — Departure Home

HOME. Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Athens Airport for flight home.

Meals: Breakfast