World of the Bible: Biblical, Christian, Jewish & Muslim Sites in Greece & Turkiye

May 21 Thu Depart Chicago at 11:25 am to Istanbul by Turkish Airline
Embark on a meaningful pilgrimage journey of learning and discovery.

May 22 Fri     Arrive Istanbul – Take connection flight to Thesssaloniki
TUTKU representative will meet you with “Barbara Rossing & Esther Menn – TUTKU” sign. Afternoon half day city tour in Thessaloniki, including two churches (St Demetrios and St Sophia), the Roman forum, the arch and mausoleum of Galerius, the Rotunda, and the archeological museum. The Apostle Paul’s first epistle was written to this church. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight. (D). 

May 23 Sat Philippi 
Visit the Roman city of Philippi, in Macedonia, including theatre, acropolis, basilicas,  and an octagonal Byzantine church. We will visit the magnificent baptistry at the traditional river site where Paul baptized Lydia of Thyatira and the other women (Acts 16:13- 15), the first Christians to be baptized on European soil. Walk the Via Egnatia. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B,D)

May 24 Sun  Thessaloniki – Meteora
Experience the theological worldview of Orthodox liturgies and icons today, as we travel to Meteora—stopping either at Veria (Boroea, Acts 17:10-13) to see Byzantine churches and a Jewish synagogue, or at Virgina to see the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. Worship (Eucharist) together. overnight Kalambaka (B,D)

May 25 Mon Meteora  
Byzantine monasteries sit high atop granite pinnacles, many of which are almost inaccessible. Visit two monasteries at Meteora, including Varlaam. Experience Orthodox icon painting at the studio of Father Pefkis. Optional Nature Hike. overnight Kalambaka (B,D)

May 26 Tue   Meteora – Delphi
Drive south to the sacred Oracle of Delphi on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled majesty. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo. Walk the sacred way; see manumission inscriptions proclaiming enslaved people’s freedom. Visit the archeological museum, with the Gallio Inscription.overnightat Delphi. (B,D)

May 27 Wed  Delphi - Athens
Tour the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul spoke to the Athenian people (Acts 17:15-34) Visit Agora, Roman Forum, new archeological museum. Overnight Athens. Dinner on your own tonight (B)

May 28 Thu   Corinth – Ferry to Patmos
Travel to the ancient city of Corinth where Paul met Jewish tent makers Priscilla and Aquila, (Acts 18: 1-3, Romans 16:3-4) and stayed 18 months, organizing a community of Christ-followers, including freed persons. Visit the Agora (Market Place) with latrines and Temples, the Bema where Paul stood before pro-consul Gallio; archaeological museum, Erastus inscription. Visit the ancient port of Cenchrea, home of Phoebe, a deacon and supporter of Paul (Romans 16:1). 6 pm ferry to Patmos (including cabin). Dinner on your own, at restaurants on ferry (B)

May 29 Fri     Early arrive Patmos
Skala Hotel (sleep until 9 am). Visit Patmos, where John wrote the book of Revelation. Visit traditional cave and Monastery of St. John. Ferry to Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)

May 30 Sat    Ephesus - Izmir
Full day touring Ephesus, one of the largest and best-preserved cities of the ancient world, site of a church of Revelation (Rev 2:1- 7). Paul spent more than two years here, working with Priscilla and Aquila. (Acts 18.19-26; 19.1-41; 20:16- 17; 21:29, 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8), Paul wrote at least one letter here, and it is a possible site for Philemon. We will spend the morning walking the city’s marble streets, visit the magnificent Terrace Houses, Celsus Library, theatre (Acts 19), and the Double Church where the ecumenical Council of 431 CE/ AD took place; St. John’s Church and baptistry, and the Selçuk Archaeological Museum Overnight Izmir. (B,D)

May 31 Sun Pergamon - Sardis
Visit Pergamon, one of the cities of Revelation (Rev 2:12). Visit the Asklepieion, an ancient healing center. Tour the Acropolis with the steepest theatre of the ancient world, Temple of Trajan, library, and site of the monumental Altar to Zeus (now in Berlin). Then drive to Sardis, another city of Revelation (Rev 3:1-4) to see the 3rd century Jewish Synagogue, Bath-Gymnasium complex, Temple of Artemis. Overnight Izmir (ancient Smyrna). Dinner on your own. (B)

June 1 Mon Aphrodisias – Pamukkale
Drive to Aphrodisias, with its beautiful marble sculptures, imperial Sebasteion, stadium, and museum. See Jewish synagogue inscription listing “god-fearers” (a term for Gentile proselytes in Acts 16:14,18:7) If time permits, visit Laodicea churches (Rev 3:14; Col 2:1, 4:13-16).. Visit Hierapolis, (Col. 4:13), an ancient healing site of spectacular travertine terraces and thermal waters, with a large theatre, Martyrion of Philip, and the largest and best preserved necropolis (cemetery) in all of Turkey, Philip the apostle was martyred here. Philip and his four prophetic daughters (Acts 21:9) ministered here. overnight Pamukkale. Enjoy thermal spa. (B,D)

June 2 Tue Pamukkale – Konya
Drive to Konya (Iconium), visited by Paul (Acts 13:51, 14:21). Iconium was the home of Thecla, a virgin saint whose dramatic conversion story is narrated in the apocryphal Acts of Paul. Konya is now a Muslim center, home of Rumi (also known as Mevlana), the 13th century Sufi mystic and philosopher who founded the order of the dervishes. Visit Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Konya. (B,D)

June 3 Wed Konya - Cappadocia
Drive to the ‘Fairy Chimneys’ of Cappadocia, a flourishing region of early Christianity (including Gregory of Nyssa, Basil and their sister Macrina). If time permits, visit the Citadel of Uchisar or Ortahisar. Optional Dervish performance  overnight cave hotel (B,D)

June 4 Thu Cappadocia – Fly Istanbul
Optional hot air balloon. Visit Goreme Open Air museum and the famous painted rock churches. Evening flight Kayseri to Istanbul. Dinner on your own. (B)

June 5 Fri Istanbul
Istanbul was the center of Byzantine Christianity, from the 4th century. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, Sultan Ahmet Blue Mosque, a 17th century sanctuary; Hagia Sophia, one of the world’s architectural marvels, built as a church by Constantine, and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century; Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Palace of Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries; Hagia Eireni Church; Grand Bazaar, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Overnight Istanbul. Dinner on your own tonight (B)

June 6 Sat Istanbul
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Chora Church with frescoes; Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Boat Tour. Overnight Istanbul. Farewell dinner at the hotel. (B, D)

June 7 Sun Transfer to Istanbul Airport for flight to Chicago (B)

• International flights between Chicago – Istanbul (based on Turkish Airlines)
• Istanbul-Thessaloniki flight • Kayseri – Istanbul domestic flight
• 2 Nights at GRAND PALACE HOTEL in Thessaloniki or similar
• 2 Nights at AMALIA HOTEL in Kalambaka or similar
• 1 Night at AMALIA HOTEL in Delphi or similar
• 1 Night at ACROPOLIS SELECT HOTEL in Athens or similar
• 1 Overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos (cabin)
• 1 Night at SKALA HOTEL Patmos
• 1 Night at KORUMAR HOTEL KUSADASI or similar
• 2 Nights at KORDON CANKAYA HOTEL in Izmir or similar
• 1 Night at DOGA THERMAL & SPA HOTEL in Pamukkale or similar
• 1 Night at ANEMON HOTEL KONYA or similar
• 1 night at BARCELO HOTEL CAPPADOCIA or similar
• 3 Nights at KENT HOTEL OLD CITY ISTANBUL or similar
• Daily breakfast and 11 dinners (B:Breakfast, D:Dinner)
• Transportation by private A/C bus throughout the tour
• English speaking, Bible-oriented, professional tour guides throughout the tour (Mara Kanari in Greece)
• All Entry fees to the sites & museums
• Headsets
• Tips to the tour guides and drivers
• Service charges & local taxes

• Drinks and lunches
• All personal expenses
• Any other item not listed above