Journeys of Paul in Turkey: Turkey & Greece

Mar 20 Sat Depart Los Angeles - Fly Thessaloniki by Turkish Airlines

Mar 21 Sun Arrive Thessaloniki

Arrive Istanbul Airport and take connection flight to Thessaloniki. Our representative will meet us after the customs and baggage claim with a “DAVID MOSELEY - TUTKU” sign. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Mar 22 Mon Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessaloniki

We enjoy a scenic drive along the Aegean Sea to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the port city of Philippi, where Paul landed by boat and first brought the gospel to Europe. We’ll travel inland to Philippi, named after Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. We follow the Via Egnatia which the apostle took into the city. Here at Philippi Paul preached his first sermon in Europe (Acts 16:13-15) and baptized the first Christian convert in the continent, a “certain woman named Lydia.” The Philippian church became one of Paul’s favorite congregations and many years later, while under house arrest in Rome, he wrote them a letter (Philippians) expressing his gratitude for their faithful support of his missionary activity. Extensive Roman and Byzantine ruins have been uncovered and there is a crypt where it is believed Paul and Silas were imprisoned. We leave Philippi and continue to follow the Via Egnatia to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) to view the Lion Monument that Paul would have seen as he traveled by this city. We pass by Apollonia (Acts 17:1) and return to our hotel in Thessaloniki (B, D)

Mar 23 Tue Thessaloniki, Vergina, Berea, Kalambaka (Meteora)

Paul spent a number of weeks in Thessalonica during his 2nd Missionary Journey establishing a church (Acts 17:1-9) to whom he would a short time later write two letters (1 & 2 Thessalonians). Visit the Roman Agora (marketplace), where a mob was formed against Paul and an ensuing riot started in the city (Acts 17:5), as well as the Archaeological Museum. Other impressive sites include the triumphal Arch of Galerius (AD 305-311), remnants of two beautiful Byzantine churches (Hagia Sophia & Saint Dimitrius), the ancient ramparts of the city, and the White Tower— the symbol of the city. We leave Thessaloniki for a brief visit to Vergina and the magnificent presentation of the golden finds from the tomb of Phillip II—the father of Alexander the Great. We then drive to Berea (modern Veria), the place whose Jewish citizens “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). After viewing the Bema—the spot where tradition has Paul teaching the Bereans—and the beautiful monument dedicated to the apostle, we drive south to Kalambaka (B, D)

Mar 24 Wed Meteora, Delphi

Here are the famous Cenobitic Monasteries that are perched precariously on top of huge and precipitous columns of rock that rise up out of the ground, thereby giving rise to the name “Meteora,” which means “in the air.” It was in the 11th century that the first hermits sought refuge in the caves of Meteora where the solitude and spectacular vistas enhanced the mystic way of life. Eventually the hermits began to group together in monasteries whose buildings were decorated with frescoes and icons by the great artists of the day. After touring one of these historic and breathtaking monasteries, we spend the afternoon enjoying the scenic drive to Delphi, stopping briefly at Thermopoli—the site of the bloody battle between the Greeks and the Persians. Overnight in Delphi (B,D)

Mar 25 Thu Delphi, Athens

Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, Delphi is the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo and the worldrenowned “Delphic oracle.” Other impressive ruins found here include the Temple of Athena, a well-preserved theatre that seats 5000 people, an athletic stadium seating 7000, a gymnasium for physical training, various stoas, and treasuries. It is with good reason that Delphi is widely acknowledged as the most spectacularly beautiful ancient site in Greece. We also will visit the Delphi Museum, whose impressive collection includes an inscription concerning the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12), which plays a crucial role in establishing the chronology of Paul’s life and ministry. We end the day with a drive to Athens. (B,D)

Mar 26 Fri Athens

Paul visited Athens during his 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 17:15-34). We will begin our day by visitng the New Acropolis Museum which helpfully explains the history of this world-famous place. Then we’ll go up to the Acropolis, which towers over the city of Athens and which houses the Parthenon, a building so masterfully created that it has been the subject of architectural study since its creation. Equally impressive buildings on the Acropolis include the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens, and the Temple of Athena Nike, the goddess of “Victory.” We will then proceed to the Areopagus (“Mars Hill”) where the city leaders would often meet (Acts 17:19-33). We will then visit the Agora (“Marketplace”) of ancient Athens where Paul dialogued with the Athenian citizens and philosophers (Acts 17:17). Lunch on your own. Remainer of the day free for additional sightseening and shopping. Dinner and overnight in Athens (B,D)

Mar 27 Sat Corinth, Cenchrea, Athens Airport – Fly Izmir

After briefly stopping at the Corinthian Canal, we will visit Corinth, the place where Paul ministered for 1½ years (Acts 18:1-18) and would later write at least four letters, two of which have survived (1 & 2 Corinthians). The city is located on the slopes of the Acrocorinth, a towering mountain rising 1,886 feet above the sea and crowned in ancient times by the temple of Aphrodite. Extensive ruins of Corinth are visible today, including temples, water fountains, shops, various public buildings, the largest Agora (“Marketplace”) in the ancient world and the Bema, where Paul likely met before the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12-17). The Corinthian Museum contains many significant artifacts, several of which have a direct link to events, items and people mentioned in the New Testament. In the afternoon we will proceed to Athens Airport for Aegean Airlines direct flight to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Mar 28 Sun 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 29 Mon Hierapolis – Laodicea - Colossae - Kusadasi

Our first 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. 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 visit to 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. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B/D)

Mar 30 Tue Ephesus - Izmir

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 Izmir. (B,D)

Mar 31 Wed Pergamum – Thyatira - Canakkale

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 Sev-en 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 Canakkale for overnight. (B,D)

April 1 Thu Troas – Troy - Istanbul

Morning visit to Troas where St. Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia. Contin-ue on to legendary Troy to see the city made famous in Homer’s poems and cross the Darda-nelles to Gallipoli, the famous site of the World War One battle. Drive Istanbul for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

April 2 Fri Istanbul

This morning, we will visit the Hagia Sophia which is one of the Seven Won-ders of the World and has a history dating back to the 4th Century. Then proceed to the Basi-lica Cistern, an “underground cathedral” built by Emperor Justinian. In the the afternoon vi-sit the Archeological Museum and St. Savior in Chora Church. Dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

April 3 Sat Istanbul

Visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Next, visit Topkapi Pala-ce, 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 win-ding 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. Fare-well dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

April 4 Sun Transfer to Istanbul Airport for flight back to Los Angeles. Arrive Los Angeles same day afternoon.

• Roundtrip international Air Fare between Los Angeles-Thessaloniki and Istanbul-Los Angeles
• Athens-Izmir direct flight by Aegean Airlines
• 2 Nights at Grand Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki or similar
• 1 Night at Amalia Hotel in Kalambaka or similar
• 1 Night at Amalia Hotel in Delphi or similar
• 2 Nights at Divani Acropolis Hotel in Athens or similar
• 1 Night at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• 1 Night at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar
• 1 Night at Korumar Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
• 1 Night at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
• 1 Night at Akol Hotel in Canakkale or similar
• 3 Nights at Sheraton Atakoy Hotel in Istanbul
• Daily open buffet breakfasts
• 14 Dinners
• 1 Lunch in Ephesus
• 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