10-Day Biblical Turkey & Greece Tour: Explore the Footsteps of St. Paul & the Seven Churches

(Dinner included)
We transfer to our hotel in Izmir, Turkey for the next two evenings. The remainder of your day is free to walk along the scenic waterfront, sightsee on your own and enjoy your hotel facilities. Overnight in Izmir 

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Our first visit of the day is Pergamum. The church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance; (Rev. 2:12-17) it was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Altar of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library (which once held 200,000 volumes). Next, we travel east to Thyatira viewing the ancient roadway and period columns. Thyatira was once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches. We continue south to Izmir, which is the third largest city in Turkey and a long-time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Our lodging this evening will be in Izmir. Overnight in Izmir 

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Departing our Hotel in Izmir, we'll see Polycarp's Church and visit the ancient roman agora. Then, we travel to Sardis, which was berated by John for its facade of strength when, in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Our next stop is nearby Philadelphia from where we are challenged to “hold fast” and look forward to the coming of the "new Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation. Not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine Basilica in the modern city of Alasehir. Our lodging this evening will be in a lovely spa hotel in Pamukkale. Overnight in  Pamukkale

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis (in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae) that combined to bring application to the "lukewarm" Laodiceans (Rev 3:14-22). This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Nearby Colossae is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. We spend the remainder of the day traveling through the Turkish countryside arriving in the port city of Kusadasi where we spend two nights. The day will not be complete without a visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative. Overnight in  Pamukkale

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
We travel to the nearby town of Selcuk for a visit of ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city. We view the Library, Agora, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area (including a wealth of church history and cultural insight). Then we continue with a visit to the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be resting place of John. From here we have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and see the site of the Temple of Artemis, which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Overnight in  Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure to Istanbul. Arrival. Delve into a guided tour through Istanbul, a city straddling two continents, Europe and Asia. Your journey begins in the Hippodrome area, an iconic hub that thrived as the heart of Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations for centuries. You'll marvel at the Blue Mosque and the exterior of the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, which has transformed from a church to a mosque and now stands as a museum.

Continue your explorations with a visit to the historical Topkapi Palace, the former residence of sultans for nearly four centuries.

Finally, if time permits, wander through the bustling Grand Bazaar, home to over 4,000 stalls offering an array of treasures, from gold and carpets to intricate Turkish handicrafts. Overnight in  Istanbul

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and depart by international flight to Greece. Upon arrival our friendly staff will transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we will start the tour of the city of Athens, visiting Syntagma Square - the center of modern Athens and view the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building. On the way to Acropolis, we will have a stop to the Panathenaic Stadium-made of white marble- where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. The impressive, work of Art, Stadium was the finish line of the Marathon Race of Athens 2004 Olympics. We will also see the Temple of Olympian Zeus - the largest Temple ever built in Greece. We will view the National Gardens, the Academy, the National Library, the University, and finally we will visit the most magnificent monument in the world - the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the pre-eminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007. The Acropolis is a flat-topped rock that rises 150 m (490 ft) above sea level in the city of Athens, with a surface area of about 3 hectares. It was also known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the first Athenian king. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you back to hotel and the rest of the day is yours to have a walk in Athens. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
After picking you up from the hotel upon breakfast, we will drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of THEBES which is connected with the tragedy of king Oedipus - LEVADIA and ARACHOVA, we will have a short stop here you can have little time to explore the famous colorful rugs and carpets.  Keep going on our journey, Upon arrival DELPHI, the center of the Ancient world - the Omphalos (Navel) of the Earth - whose 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 APOLLO PYTHIOS.
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 will have our lunch break in the modern village of Delphi. After the tour, we will drive back to your hotel in Athens. Overnight in Athens.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.