Journeys of Paul in Turkey: Turkey & Greece

Mar 20 Sat Depart Los Angeles – Non-stop flight to Istanbul

Our trip begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to Turkey. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Mar 21 Sun Arrive Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul we will be met at the airport by our local guide with a “David Moseley – TUTKU” sign. Then drive to our hotel for check‐in. (D)

Mar 22 Mon Istanbul

This morning we will visit the Hagia Sophia which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and has a history dating back to the 4th Century. Then proceed to the Basilica Cistern, an “underground cathedral” built by Emperor Justinian. In the the afternoon visit the Archeological Museum and St. Savior in Chora Church. (B/D)

Mar 23 Tue Istanbul

Visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Next, visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, where we will view the Treasury and the world’s biggest emerald. In the afternoon embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Shopping in the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world where over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. This evening enjoy an early dinner at a fish restaurant on the Bosphorus. (B/D)

Mar 24 Wed Istanbul –Troy – Troas - Canakkale

Depart Istanbul and drive along the Sea of Marmara and across the Dardanelles to Gallipoli, the famous site of the World War One battle. Continue on to legendary Troy to see the city made famous in Homer’s poems and visit Troas where St. Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia. Proceed on to Canakkale for overnight. (B/D)

Mar 25 Thu Canakkale – Pergamum – Thyatira - Izmir

Depart Canakkale and drive to visit Pergamum, the most favored of the Seven Churches of Revelation where Christianity was introduced very early. Here we will see the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, the fabled Acropolis and the Royal Gate. We will also visit Asclepion, one the foremost healing centers of the ancient world. Continue on to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches. Then visit the Church of St. Polycarp, which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna and is dedicated to one of the first Christian martyrs. Proceed to Izmir for overnight. (B/D)

Mar 26 Fri Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia - Pamukale

Morning visit to Smyrna Agora. Depart Izmir and drive to Sardis, the Lydian capital city where money was first minted, to visit the Roman Gymnasium and the remains of the Artemis Temple which symbolized one of the Seven Churches. We will then stop at Philadelphia which was referred to as the “New Jerusalem”. Proceed to the spa city of Pamukale where we will see the cascading water from the cliffs forming crystallized, dazzling white “frozen waterfalls”. Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and see the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates. Overnight in Pamukale. (B/D)

Mar 27 Sat Colossae – Laodicea – Hierapolis - Pamukale

Our first stop in Colossae will be brief, since the excavations at this site have been newly started. We will meet one of the archaeologists. 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). Our last stop is 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. Overnight in Pamukale. (B/D)

Mar 28 Sun Priene, Miletus, Didyma - Kusadasi

A short drive brings us to Miletus which, due to its four harbors and strategic location on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, became one of the great cities of commerce in the ancient world. Of the surviving buildings, the finest is the 15,000-seat theatre originally built in the Hellenistic period and expanded in Roman times. Other buildings include the council chamber built during the reign of the infamous Antiochus IV (175-164 BC), the Sacred Road leading to the Apollo Temple in nearby Didyma, the gymnasium and the well-preserved Baths of Faustina dating from AD 43. Paul stopped in Miletus on the return leg of his third missionary journey where he summoned the elders from Ephesus to meet with him and hear his poignant farewell speech (Acts 20:17- 35). Before departing Miletus, we will visit briefly its small but informative archaeological museum. Some 10 miles away, connected by the Sacred Road, was Didyma, not a city but religious site devoted to Apollo. The temple here built in his honor was most impressive, consisting of 122 columns six feet in diameter and reaching six stories high. Although only three full columns have survived, the remaining stunted columns demonstrate why this shrine was a notable rival to the famous temple of Apollo at Delphi with its renowned oracle. The nearby city of Priene is distinctive because of its cliff-side location. Those who climb up to Priene are rewarded with several impressive buildings, including the temple of Athena, built in the 4th century BC and considered one of the great achievements of Ionian architecture. The work was funded by Alexander the Great who resided here during the lengthy siege of Miletus. The theatre, though not so large, is nevertheless quite impressive, as is the large council chamber. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Mar 29 Mon Ephesus - Kusadasi

Today will likely be the high note of the tour for most people, as we 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, we will also 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, and the Basilica of St. John. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Mar 30 Tue Embark Greek Cruise CELESTYAL DISCOVERY - Patmos 

At 09.00am, transfer from Hotel to the port of Kusadasi for embarkation on our cruise ship. Sail for Patmos, Greece at noon. (B,L,D)

Mar 31 Wed Greek Cruise - Rhodes

Sail to Rhodes. Free time in Rhodes from 7:00am to 6:00 pm. Optional Shore Excursion is available at extra cost. (B,L,D)

April 1 Thu Greek Cruise - Heraklion & Santorini

Sail to Crete Island. Free time in Crete from 7:00am to 11:30am. Then sail to Santorini. Free time in Santorini from 4:30pm to 9:00pm. Optional Shore Excursions are available at extra cost. (B,L,D)

April 2 Fri Disembark in Athens – Corinth Tour – Overnight Athens

After disembarking at Piraeus we will drive to ancient Corinth, the city that inspired some of St. Paul’s most familiar letters. We will stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the ancient pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached. We will then proceed to Athens for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

April 3 Sat Athens Tour – Overnight Athens

After breakfast, visit to the ancient Acropolis with its Parthenon. We’ll stroll through the Ancient Agora where Socrates, Plato, and ‐ much later ‐ St. Paul spoke to the people of Athens. Then we’ll head over to the National Archeological Museum for a guided tour of one of the world’s greatest museums. The remainder of the afternoon is free. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner on the Plaka. (B,D)

April 4 Sun Athens - Fly Los Angeles via Istanbul

Transfer to Athens airport to catch our return flight home. Arrive Los Angeles the same day.

• Roundtrip international Air Fare between Los Angeles-Istanbul and Athens-Los Angeles
• 3 Nights at Sheraton Atakoy Hotel in Istanbul
• 1 Night at Akol Hotel in Canakkale
• 1 Night at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir
• 2 Nights at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale
• 2 Nights at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi
• 3 Nights at CELESTYAL DISCOVERY CRUISE SHIP – Standard Inside Cabins
• 2 Nights at Divani Acropolis Hotel in Athens
• Daily open buffet breakfasts
• 14 Dinners
• Lunches only during the cruise ship
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• English Speaking Licensed tour guides during all tours
• All entry fees to the sites and museums
• Headsets
• All transportation by private Bus with driver
• Service charges and local taxes

• Lunches and drinks
• All tips to tour guides, drivers, cruise staff, hotel staff
• Travel and Health insurance, any kind of insurances
• All personal expenses, and any other item not listed above