Greece & Turkey
May 25 - June 5, 2026
May 25 Mon Depart Houston – Fly to Istanbul
May 26 Tue ISTANBUL - THESSALONICA
A Tutku representative will meet you at the Thessaloniki Airport
after customs and baggage claim with a “BAYLOR - TUTKU”
sign. We will transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. (D)
May 27 Wed PHILIPPI - THESSALONICA
You will walk to the international terminal as a group to catch a
morning flight to Thessalonica. Upon arrival in Thessalonica, we
will drive to Philippi, where Paul founded a flourishing fellowship
of Christ-followers with whom he would have ongoing contact
and communication over the strech of his ministry. We will
visit the place where the baptism of Lydia and her household
is remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period,
where Paul and Silas are thought to have been imprisoned. We
will also see in Philippi the acropolis, the agora, the basilica, and
the theater. Upon return to Thessalonica, another Macedonian
congregation begun by Paul and his co-workers and to whom he
wrote 1-2 Thessalonians, we will visit St. George’s Basilica, which,
according to tradition, is built over the synagogue where Paul
preached. We will also see the old city ramparts as well as the Arch
of Galerius, which rises over the Via Egnatia. Additionally, we will
see two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Sophia and
St. Demetrios, the latter of which is dedicated to a distinguished
member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (B,D)
May 28 Thu THESSALONIKI - BEREA - METEORA - KALAMBAKA
This morning we will drive to Veria (Berea) to see the Tomb of
Philip before traveling to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
to visit one of the amazing monasteries in the afternoon. Dinner
and overnight in Kalambaka.(B,D)
May 29 Fri DELPHI - ATHENS
Today, we travel to the scenic and historic city of Delphi, the
religious center of the ancient Greek world. We will walk the Sacra
Via in order to see the Athenian Treasury, the theater, and the
Temple of Apollo, where the oracle enacted its prophetic rituals.
Having visited the museum at Delphi, we will continue to Athens
for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
May 30 Sat ATHENS
This morning we will visit the world-renowned Acropolis, where
we will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum.
After leaving the Acropolis, we will visit Mars Hill, the site of
the Aeropagus and Paul’s famed speech recorded in Acts 17. In
the afternoon, we will visit the Acropolis Museum. Dinner and
overnight in Athens. (B,D)
May 31 Sun CORINTH - IZMIR
Today, we will drive to ancient Corinth, where Paul lived and
ministered for a year and a half. While in Corinth, Paul wrote 1-2
Thessalonians to the newly-established church in Thessalonica.
Later, the church at Corinth would receive a number of letters from
Paul, including 1-2 Corinthians. It was also in Corinth where Paul
met fellow leather workers Aquila and Priscilla, who had came to
Corinth from Rome due to persecution. In Corinth, we will see all
of the Greek and Roman sites associated with Paul’s ministry: the
Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema, and
Gallio’s Seat. Thereafter, we will drive to the Athens Airport for a
flight to Izmir, where we will eat dinner and stay the night. (B,D)
June 1 Mon PERGAMUM - SARDIS - PAMUKKALE
We will begin the day by driving to Pergamum, where we will visit
the Acropolis, with the steepest theater in the ancient world, and
the Temple of Trajan. We will also visit the Red Basilica, which
was an Egyptian Temple that was later converted into a church.
Continuing to Sardis, we will see the massive scale of the Temple
of Artemis by the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium, and
the synagogue. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)
June 2 Tue HIERAPOLIS - LAODICEA - KUSADASI
We will begin the day with a visit to Hierapolis and Pamukkale,
where we will see the white calcified cliffs and the impressive
theater. There, we will also see the Martyrium of St. Philip, the Gate
of Domitian, and the column-lined streets and arches. Thereafter,
we will visit Laodicea and see the latest excavations, including two
theaters and a newly restored church. We will then continue to
Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
June 3 Wed EPHESUS - KUSADASI
Today, we tour Ephesus, where we will view the Library, the Agora,
and the Temple of Artemis, which was considered to be one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We will also visit the Basilica
of St. John, which is the traditional site of his grave, and the
Museum of Ephesus to see some of the artifacts from the ancient
city. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
June 4 Thu MILETUS - SMYRNA - IZMIR
This morning we will visit Miletus and its well-preserved 15,000-
seat theatre. Before we depart Miletus, we will visit a small but
informative archaeological museum. We will then drive to Izmir
to visit the Smyrna Agora. This evening we will enjoy a special
farewell dinner at a local seafood restaurant located near the
water. (B,D)
June 5 Fri IZMIR - ISTANBUL - HOUSTON
Transfer to Izmir Airport for return flights to Houston via Istanbul.
Including
• Roundtrip international airfare between Houston and Istanbul
on Economy Class
• Istanbul-Thessaloniki flight
• Athens-Izmir flight
• Izmir-Istanbul flight
• 2 Nights at Grand Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki (or similar)
• 1 Night at Amalia Hotel in Kalambaka (or similar)
• 2 Nights at Herodion Hotel in Athens (or similar)
• 1 Night at MoevenpickHotel in Izmir (or similar)
• 1 Night at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale (or similar)
• 2 Nights at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi (or similar)
• 1 Night at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir (or similar)
• Daily breakfasts
• 10 dinners
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• All airport-hotel-airport transfers
• All transportation by private bus
• All entry fees to the sites and museums
• English-speaking, licensed tour guides in Greece (James) and
Turkey (Cenk)
• Service charges and local taxes
Excluding
• Lunches and drinks
• Tips to tour guides and drivers
• All personal expenses and insurance
