13 Day Footsteps of Paul in Greece and Turkey Itinerary with 3 day Cruise

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Day 1 – Depart USA for Athens

Enjoy dinner and entertainment aboard the airplane.

Day 2 – Arrival Athens and board connecting flight to Thessaloniki

Paul came to Thessaloniki with Silas and following his usual custom, he went to the Synagogue where he used the Jewish scriptures as the source for his preaching. (Act 17:2-4)
Considered the second capital of Greece, Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by one of Alexander the Great's generals, Cassander, who was married to Alexander's step-sister, Thessaloniki. In her honor, he named the town, built in the form of an amphitheater at the head of Thermaikos Gulf. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – Philippi: "Don't be afraid, I am with you"

“Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace and the following day to Neapolis “ (Act 16:11) “And from thence to Philippi which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony; and we were in that city abiding certain days (Act 16:12)
We visit the beautiful city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), and from there on to Philippi, which was a Roman garrison town and the chief city in the province of Macedonia. It was here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods. Visit the Baptistry of Lydia, the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the rulers), the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St. Paul was imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. We will have an opportunity to preach in Paul's prison (photo) where he and Silas prayed and sang to God. The Baptistry of Lydia is the ideal site for a re-baptism, a renewal of faith.

Day 4 – Veria: Teaching at the Bema, Thessaloniki: the places where Paul lived & preached

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Acts 17:10-14
We continue to Veria (Beroea) where we visit the monument dedicated to Paul; we see the Bema where he stood and preached to the people of Veria. Continue to Vergina, where excavations in 1978 discovered three very important royal tombs. The most important tomb is believed to be that of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. We return to Thessaloniki and explore this great city starting with a drive along the water front to the massive White Tower and nearby Triumphal Arch of Gallerius, built in 303 AD. We shall also see St. Demetrios Church with its valuable mosaics and frescoes and will drive up to the upper town, which offers a marvelous view of the city. The site where the monastery of Vlatadon was built is believed to be the location where Jason’s house once stood and where Paul was accommodated during his visit to Thessaloniki. We will take our way back to Athens, for an evening arrival. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – Athens: Teaching at the Mars Hill and the Pnyx

“ Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription “ to an unknown God”. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you…”.
Today we visit Athens, one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. For twenty five centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, we will ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the Evzones in their picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, the temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch.
Teach on Mars Hill where Paul addressed the Athenians about the one true God.
Corinth: Teach "Agape", give Love!
“Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9
Continue this afternoon for Corinth, taking the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Short stop for pictures and continue to the site of ancient Corinth, Paul's beloved city and site of his most extensive ministry. Dominated by the Acro-Corinth rising 1700 feet above the ruins, the marketplace is laid out exactly as it stood in the days of the great Apostle. We see the bema (the judgment seat) where Paul stood before Galilo and preached (Acts 18). The museum contains a superb collection of artifacts portraying life in ancient Corinth. Dinner and overnight at our hotel at Athens.

CRUISE

Day 6 – Set sail for the 3 day cruise

Transfer from hotel to port and embark the cruise vessel for your 3 day cruise. Our first port of call is the island of Myconos; cubic white houses and those world famous windmills. Free time to explore this lovely island.

Day 7 – Rhodos: the voyage to Jerusalem

Rhodos, the island of “roses”, is the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. The old town (which is the largest inhabited medieval town of Europe) and its mighty fortifications (built by the crusaders of St. John) are the finest surviving example of defensive architecture and is of great interest to all visitors. A tour takes us to Lindos. This entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis a breathtaking view covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle cast harbor during his historic voyage to Ephessos.

Day 8 – Kusadasi: Teaching in Ephessos, Patmos: The Revelation Alive

We continue our cruise for the island of Patmos; considered a holy island for the Christian religion it was here in Patmos where John the Divine, while in exile, wrote the Apocalyptic Revelations which constitute the last part of the New Testament. Our tour takes up to the monastery of John which still keeps its character of a medieval fortress. You will be able to admire the Byzantine wealth of the Christian Orthodox religion while you will have the most stunning panoramic view of the luminous sea.
“And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples..” Act 19:01

TURKEY
Arrive to Kusadasi, a lively Turkish port and gateway to ancient Ephessos. Our tour takes us to visit Ancient Ephessos, the Greek colony founded by the Athenians.. Here history truly comes to life; walking towards the ancient harbor down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots you pass architectural masterpieces like the Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving to the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9 – Depart to Sardes, visit Philadelphia and Pamukkale

The ruins of Sardes are one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches. John admonished that the outward appearance of prosperity and activity did not tally with the finished work-"though you have the name of being alive, you are dead..."Rev.3:1-2. Continue to Philadelphia, one of the two churches about which John said nothing negative. The most interesting remains of Christian Philadelphia are part of a Byzantine basilica and some 11th century frescoes. Arrive to Pamukkale the special place featuring a spectacular sight of calcified, cascading white terraces resembling snow, the result of calcium deposits developed over the time as water flowed over the area. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 10 – Pamukkale is actually Hierapolis of the ancient times.

Here we associate Philip the Evangelist with the early church. Paul mentions Hierapolis along with Laodicea as the center of Epaphras ministry. Another less known resident of the city was Papias, a disciple of Apostle John. We will drive all the way to Izmir (Smyrna, where today one may visit Hittite remains. Polycarp, a bishop and ultimately martyr for his faith lived here in 115-156 AD). We will take a flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 11 – Full Day Tour of Istanbul - the magic city where East meets West!

Visit TopKapi Palace, the last official residence of the Othoman Sultan, situated on the hillside of Golden Horn reaching out to Bosphorus! Visit Agia Sophia, the capital of the Christian Church for nearly 1,000 years and then visit the Blue Mosque, time to remove your shoes and mix with Islamic worshipers (!). Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12 – Depart

In the morning take a cruise on the Bosphorus and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In the afternoon we will have time to visit and shop the colorful Grand Bazaar and the spice market. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 13 – Depart

Transfer to Istanbul airport for our flight back to the USA. Arrive home.