May 17 Fri Depart SFO – Fly to Istanbul
May 18 Sat ISTANBUL - THESSALONICA
A Tutku representative will meet you at the Istanbul Airport after customs and baggage claim with a “STEVE KELLAR - TUTKU” sign. We will transfer to airport hotel for an overnight stay. (D)
May 19 Sun PHILIPPI - THESSALONICA
You will walkto the international terminal as a group to catch a morning flight toThessalonica. 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 cryptdating 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. Sophiaand St. Demetrios, the latter of which is dedicatedto a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (B,D)
May 20 Mon THESSALONIKI - METEORA - KALAMBAKA
This morning we will drive 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 21 Tue DELPHI – THEBES - ATHENS
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 AthenianTreasury, 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. Short stop at Thebes on the way to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (B,D)
May 22 Wed 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 23 Thu CORINTH CANAL-CENCHREA-MYCANEAE – EPIDAURUS –NAFPLION
After briefly stopping at the Corinthian Canal, we proceed to nearby Cenchrea, one of the two harbors of ancient Corinth from where Paul sailed on more than one occasion (Acts 18:18) and which was also the home of another early church and an influential Christian woman, Phoebe (Rom. 16:1). Continue to Mycenae, to visit the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses' Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Atreus in which we will actually enter. After a short lunch break we continue on to Epidaurus the Sanctuary of Asclepeios, ancient god of healing. We see the best-preserved ancient theater in all of Greece, famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection of its remarkable acoustics, easily accommodating 12,000 people. Dinner and overnight in Nafplion. (B,D)
May 24 Fri CORINTH – ATHENS AIRPORT – FLY IZMIR
After breakfast drive to the 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 wasalso in Corinth where Paul met fellow leather workers Aquilaand 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. Transfer to Athens Airport for 16:15/18:25 Aegean Airlines flight to Izmir. Dinner and overnight Izmir. (B,D)
May 25 Sat SMYRNA – SARDIS - PHILADELPHIA - PAMUKKALE
We will begin the day by visiting Smyrna Agora. Then drive to Sardis, we will see the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis by the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium, and the synagogue. Brief stop ato the Philadelphia Church in Alasehir. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)
May 26 Sun HIERAPOLIS – LAODICEA – COLOSSAE - KUSADASI
We will begin the day with a visit to Hierapolis and Pamukkale, where we will see the white calcified cliffs and the impressive amphitheater. 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. After a short visit to Colossae, continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
May 27 Mon EPHESUS - KUSADASI
Today, we tour Ephesus, where we will view the Library, the Agora, and the Temple of Artemis, which was considered 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 artifacts from the ancient city. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
May 28 Tue PATMOS – KUSADASI
Early morning ferry to Patmos. Visit the Cave of Revelation and the Basilica of John. After free time for lunch, return to Kusadasi. Arrive back to the hotel at around 7 pm. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)
May 29 Wed PERGAMUM – ASSOS This morning we will drive north to visit Pergamum Acropolis. Take the cable car up to the Acropolis to visit the steepest theater of ancient world, Temple of Trajan and more. . We will then drive to Assos and visit the panoramic Temple of Athena. Dinner and overnight Assos. (B,D)
May 30 Thu ASSOS – TROAS – ISTANBUL Visit Alexander Troas where Paul made two visits. See the latest excavations and harbor. Cross the Dardanelles Strait to Europe by the new bridge. Drive to Istanbul. Check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
May 31 Fri ISTANBUL Drive to the Old City to visit the Hagia Sophia (the church of “Holy Wisdom”)—the crowning achievement of the sacred building program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th-century head of the Christian Byzantine Empire. Nearby is located the Hippodrome which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople and originally held up to 100,000 people. Although little is left of this gigantic stadium, there are a number of impressive columns and other structures situated at the site. Next we proceed to the nearby Hagia Eirene (“Church of Holy Peace”), built in 324 AD on the site of Aphrodite’s temple and dedicated by Emperor Constantine as the city’s first church and main cathedral until the completion of Hagia Sophia in 360 AD. The second of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was held here in 381 AD. This was one of the more important councils, making ten additions to the Nicene Creed and affirming the deity of the Holy Spirit. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)
June 1 Sat Transfer to Istanbul Airport – Fly Back to SFO