Turkey & Greece
June 3-18, 2022
This journey which begins in Antalya and ends in Athens includes both well-known and obscure sites visited by Paul on the Acts sea routes. The time on the Mediterranean will be for 6 days aboard a traditional Turkish gulet following parts of all Paul’s sea routes. This itinerary gives a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean, the picturesque Greek islands, the rugged Turkish coast, and the drama of the sea travels in Acts, and time to discuss everything with the group around the table on the gulet deck. A bonus of this trip is time for swimming, relaxation, and enjoying dining on the excellent Turkish and Greek cuisine.
Tour Hosts
June 3 Fri Arrival at Antalya International Airport, rendezvous with group in hotel in Old City. No transfers. Overnight at La Paloma Hotel (B)
June 4 Sat Theme: The Church between Land and Sea: Acts 13:1-13, Acts 21
After breakfast we will go directly to visit the ruins of the ancient port city of Perge. After lunch we will visit the archeological museum containing an impressive display of treasures found in Perge or explore/shop in the old city. Dinner and hotel.
June 5 Sun Theme: Shipping Grain - Fuel of the Roman Empire: Acts 27
After breakfast, check out of hotel, then take a 2-hour scenic bus ride Andriaki, harbor of Myra. After visiting this excellent partially restored specimen of a Roman harbor and granarium, we will continue by bus to Patara, another of the great grain shipping ports mentioned in Acts. After a site visit we will take a short ride to Kalkan and board the gulet. Dinner and overnight aboard. The remaining time and program will be determined by the gulet schedule. Because of weather and other contingencies such as the location of good anchorages, it is not possible to give a fixed itinerary, but we will be stopping at a variety of historic and scenic sites related to the Acts story. This is the time of relaxation, eating good food, learning about the incomparable Mediterranean Sea and the people who learned how to sail it in order to achieve their goals, including Paul.
June 6 – 11 Themes: The sea in Scripture from Creation to Revelation,The Mediterranean Sea and the people who used it in history, The Roman Empire and the Mediterranean, The Gospel and the Sea. Selections from Genesis, Ezekiel, the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation.
The route west will take us along the rugged southern coast of Turkey, and eventually into Fethiye Bay, the favorite sailing area of international sailors. Then on to Knidos (Acts 27:7) and finally disembarking on June 12 in Bodrum (ancient Harlicarnassus).
June 12 Sun Theme: Paul’s farewell in Miletus, Scripture: Acts 20:13-38
Today we travel northward stopping at Didyma with its incredible temple built during the reign of Alexander the Great, then on to Miletus where we will engage in some archeological exploration of our own in this remote harbor city on the once navigable Meander River. We continue on to Kusadasi, and check into a harbor-side hotel.
June 13 Mon Theme: Paul in Ephesus, Scripture: Acts 19:23-41
We will spend the full day to visit the spectacular area of Ephesus! We will walk the marble streets and visit the stadium that seats 25,000, see the life-styles of the rich and famous, and the incomparable Celsus Library. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John, the forlorn remains of the Temple to Artemis, and the exquisite museum in nearby Selcuk before returning to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
June 14 Tue Theme: Paul the Traveler, Scripture: Acts 18:19 – 19:21
After a roof-top breakfast at our hotel we will travel on a short ferry ride in the morning to Greek island of Samos. After disembarking we will explore the seaportof Phythagorio and make connections to Paul’s theological development within the framework of Greek philosophy that originates in Samos.. Lunch and time to linger over ice “kaffee” and experience the slow paced life (and shopping) of a Greek island. After some independent exploration we will take a late afternoon flight to Athens, transfer to our hotel, for check in and dinner.
June 15 Wed Theme: Paul in Athens, Scripture: Acts 17:16-34
Following breakfast we will begin with a walking tour for an introduction to Athens atop the Areopagus. Then you will be given tickets and information to explore the main ancient sites on your own including the agora with the reconstructedstoa, time out for lunch and a visit to the Acropolis museum. We will meet again as a group in late afternoon. Together, we will visit the stadium constructed in ancient Greek style for the first modern Olympics in 1896.
June 16 Thu Theme: Paul in the City of Love and Violence, Scripture: Acts 18:1-18
After breakfast we will travel by bus to Corinth, stopping at the awesome Corinth Canal, then on to Old Corinth site of the biblical Corinth where we will have time to explore the excellent archeological remains with the bema, and temple to Apollo. An impressive little museum of discoveries in Corinth is included. Following lunch in Old Corinth we will visit the ancient harbor of Cenchrae, and then travel back to Athens with free time.
June 17 Fri (B) We will continue to explore beginning in the famous stadium of the 1896 Olympics. Celebratory dinner together.
June 18 Sat Breakfast and depart as individually arranged.
Including
- Samos-Athens afternoon flight Olympic Airways OA 247 18:15/19:25
- Ferry from Kusadasi to Samos at 09:00 am
- 2 Nights at 3 star LaPaloma Hotel in Old City Antalya
- 6 Nights at the Gulet (Full board)
- 1 Night at 4 star Karia Princess Hotel in Bodrum
- 2 Nights at Avantgarde Hotel in Kusadasi
- 4 Nights at Katerina Hotel in Athens
- Accommodations in either double or triple bed rooms, with one double room for leaders
- Breakfast (9) and dinners (3) where indicated
- Buses, transfers and guides where listed or needed
- Service charges and local taxes
- Tips
Excluding
- Turkish Visa Fee www.evisa.gov.tr
- Meals which are not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks
- All personal expenses, health and travel insurnace
