May 21 Tue Depart at 11:25 am by Turkish Airline from Chicago to Istanbul
May 22 Wed Arrive Istanbul Airport at 05:50 am
Your guide will meet you with “Barbara Rossing – TUTKU” sign. Transfer to city center to visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Galata tower and walk at Istiklal Street. Check-in to the hotel at 1 pm. Rest of the day is free to relax (or optional Bosphorus Boat Tour). Dinner at the hotel. (D)
May 23 Thu Istanbul
Hippodrome, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, , Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Basilica Cistern (if time permits), and Spice Bazaar. Dinner and overnight Istanbul. (B,D)
May 24 Fri Istanbul - Greece Border – Philippi - Kavala
Travel to Greece, visit Philippi, Lydia Baptistry, overnight in Kavala. (B,D)
May 25 Sat Thessaloniki - Meteora
Via Egnatia; Thessaloniki; visit tomb of Philip II; overnight Kalambaka/Meteora (B,D)
May 26 Sun Meteora
Varlaam Monastery; Meteora; overnight Kalambaka (B,D)
May 27 Mon Meteora – Delphi
Delphi and museum; overnight at Delphi. (B,D)
May 28 Tue Delphi - Athens
Athens touring (Areopagus; climb Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Agora, Roman Forum, new archeological museum) ; overnight Athens (B,D)
May 29 Wed Corinth – Ferry to Patmos
Corinth (temple of Apollo; Erastus inscription; museum); Cenchrae; acro-Corinth; 6 pm ferry to Patmos (including cabin) No dinner tonight (B)
May 30 Thu 2 am arrive Patmos - Kusadasi
Go to hotel to sleep; traditional cave of St John; monastery of St John; lunch at seaport; ferry to Kusadasi. Meet Turkish guide, go to hotel. Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)
May 31 Fri Ephesus - Izmir
Ephesus, including terrace houses; Church of St John; & baptistery; overnight Izmir (B,D)
June 1 Sat Pergamum & Sardis - Izmir
Pergamon Acropolis and Synagogue at Sardis. Overnight Izmir (B,D)
June 2 Sun Aphrodisias – Laodicea - Pamukkale
Aphrodisias, including synagogue inscription, stadium, museum, and Sebasteion; then visit Laodicea and see the newly restored church. Last visit to Hierapolis, overnight Pamukkale. Enjoy thermal spa. (B,D)
June 3 Mon Pamukkale – Psidian Antioch - Konya
Drive to Yalvac to visit Psidian Antioch and its museum. Continue to Konya to visit the Mevlana Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Konya. (B,D)
June 4 Tue Konya - Cappadocia
Drive to Cappadocia and visit Ihlara Valley. Optional Dervish performance ; overnight cave hotel (B,D)
June 5 Wed Cappadocia
Optional hot air balloon. Goreme churches; (NO underground city); farewell dinner; overnight Goreme cave hotel (B,D)
June 6 Thu Transfer to Kayseri Airport for flight to Chicago via Istanbul
Flight Details
TK186 21MAY ORDIST 1125 0550*
TK2027 05JUN ASRIST 1100 1235
TK5 06JUN ISTORD 1420 1745
Including
● 2 Nights at GRAND HALIC HOTEL ISTANBUL or similar
● 1 Night at ESPERIA HOTEL in Kavala or similar
● 2 Nights at METEORITIS HOTEL in Kalambaka or similar
● 1 Night at AMALIA HOTEL in Delphi or similar
● 1 Night at PARTHENON HOTEL in Athens or similar
● 1 Overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos + BLUE BAY HOTEL (3 AM-9 AM) Patmos
● 1 Night at KORUMAR HOTEL KUSADASI or similar
● 2 Nights at KORDON CANKAYA HOTEL IZMIR or similar
● 1 Night at DOGA THERMAL & SPA HOTEL in Pamukkale or similar
● 1 Night at ANEMON HOTEL KONYA or similar
● 2 nights at DILEK KAYA HOTEL CAPPADOCIA or similar
● Daily breakfast and 14 dinners
● Transportation by private A/C bus throughout the tour
● English speaking, Bible-oriented, professional tour guides throughout the tour
● All Entry fees to the sites & museums
● Headsets
● Tips to the tour guide and driver
● Service charges & local taxes
Excluding
● International flights between Chicago – Istanbul (based on Turkish Airlines)
● Kayseri – Istanbul domestic flight
● Turkish Visa Fee (to be obtained online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr )
● Drinks and lunches
● All personal expenses
Hotels
- May 22, 2024 - May 24, 2024 Grand Hotel Halic, Istanbul, Turkey
- May 24, 2024 - May 25, 2024 Esperia Hotel, Kavala, Greece
- May 25, 2024 - May 27, 2024 Hotel Meteoritis, Kalambaka, Greece
- May 27, 2024 - May 28, 2024 Amalia Hotel, Delphi, Greece
- May 28, 2024 - May 29, 2024 Parthenon Hotel, Athens, Greece
- May 30, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Korumar Hotel de Luxe, Aydın, Turkey
- May 31, 2024 - June 02, 2024 Kordon Otel Çankaya, İzmir, Turkey
- June 02, 2024 - June 03, 2024 Doga Thermal Otel, Denizli, Turkey
- June 03, 2024 - June 04, 2024 Anemon Hotel, Konya, Turkey
- June 04, 2024 - June 06, 2024 Dilek Kaya Otel, Nevşehir, Turkey