Greece and Turkey, Barbara Rossing and Esther Menn, Lutheran School of Theology

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 

●    2 Nights at Crowne Plaza Istanbul
●    1 Night at Esperia in Kavala
●    2 Nights at Divani Meteora in Kalambaka
●    1 Night at Amalia in Delphi
●    1 Night at Divani Acropolis in Athens
●    1 Overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos + Blue Bay hotel & Skala Hotel for 5 rooms in Patmos 
●    1 Night at Charisma Hotel in Kusadasi
●    2 Nights at Kordon Cankaya Hotel in Izmir
●    1 Night at Doga Thermal in Pamukkale
●    1 Night at Anemon Hotel in Konya
●    2 nights at Dilek Kaya Hotel in Cappadocia 
●    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

●    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