Western Turkey Aegean Cruise Athens

May 16 Sat DEPART NEW YORK – FLY ISTANBUL

May 17 Sun ARRIVE ISTANBUL
Welcome to Turkey! Your tour guide will meet you at the Istanbul Airport after the baggage claim with a “TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul. (D)

May 18 Mon ISTANBUL (Old City)
Morning drive to the historic city of Istanbul. Our day in Istanbul begins with Hagia Sophia, the world famous 6th century church. See the Archaeological Museums of Istanbul. Nearby is located the Hippodrom 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 number of impressive columns and other structures situated at the site. Afternoon walk to Hagia Irene, considered the first church completed in Constantinopolis. Finish the day with a visit to Kariye (the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora). Back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

May 19 Tue ISTANBUL – FLY ANTALYA
Early in the morning drive to airport. Domestic flight to Antalya (Attalia). From the Antalya airport we will drive to the city center to see the famous harbor where Paul and Barnabas sailed during the first journey. Visit the famous award winner Antalya Museum. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)

May 20 Wed ANTALYA
Drive to Perge (Perga) which was the port of entry in Asia Minor for Paul, Barnabas and John Mark on their first journey. They landed after sailing from the island of Cyprus. Then visit Aspendos Theater, best preserved Roman theater in the world. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)

May 21 Thu ANTALYA – COLOSSAE – LAODICEA – HIERAPOLIS (PAMUKKALE)
A morning the scenic drive north over the Taurus Mountains to the Lycus Valley where three important biblical cities are to be found: Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. First stop will be brief at Colostsae since this site has not yet been excavated. Nevertheless, this is an important site since Paul sent two letters here. Then we visit the ancient city of Tripolis, from 2012 to the present; Excavation and restoration works of many buildings belonging to public and civil architecture in the city center such as the Housing Area, Church, Column Street, Monumental Fountain, Main Street, Vaulted Structure, Podium Structure, Agora, Arched Structure, Tabernas, and Sanctuary have been completed. Overnight in one of the modern resorts of Pamukkale. (B,D)

May 22 Fri LAODICEA – HIERAPOLIS (PAMUKKALE)
Drive to Laodicea, which was a major city in Roman times, as is clear not only from the size of the ancient site but also its two theaters, 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, but also had a close relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and Hierapolis. Then we proceed to Hierapolis (Pamukkale), the third of the three key biblical cities in the Lycus Valley. Hierapolis is best known for its mineral hot springs that have produced white calcareous travertines, where Philip – either the apostle or evangelist was believed to have been killed in AD 80. Overnight in one of the modern resorts of Pamukkale. (B,D)

May 23 Sat PAMUKKALE – PHILADELPHIA – SARDIS – SMYRNA
In the morning drive to Philadelphia where much of this ancient earthquakeprone city has either been destroyed or lies buried under the the modern city. The newest of the cities of the Seven Churches. See the city and the remains of the 6th century Byzantine church. Then proceed to Sardis which was the fifth of the Seven Churches addressed by John in Revelation. See the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis and beautifully reconstructed gymnasium. Explore the largest known ancient synagogue outside of Israel. Afternoon arrive to Smyrna (modern day Izmir). After a short tour in the city check-in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

May 24 Sun SMYRNA – PERGAMUM – THYATIRA – IZMIR
Drive to Pergamum, the famous capital of it’s own kingdom. Pergamum was the third of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation. Visit the Acropolis to explore the highlights of the ancient city--the Trajan temple, steepest theater of the ancient world, the location of the Altar of Zeus and more... After Pergamum proceed to Thyatira, which was the fourth of the Seven Churches, and its letter is the central and the longest of the seven letters. See some remains of the ancient city and the recently restored Roman colonnaded street. After the short visit back to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

May 25 Mon IZMIR – EPHESUS – KUSADASI
From Izmir drive to Ephesus. Visit the most spectacular archaeological site of Turkey. Paul visited this city only briefly during his second missionary journey but returned during his third missionary journey for a much longer period. Some years later Ephesus served as the home base for the apostle John’s ministry. Explore the Bouleterion, marble streets, Terrace Houses, Library of Celsus, Great Theater and more.... Then proceed to the St. John’s Basilica, located nearby Ephesus. Lunch and shopping opportunities at the area. Overnight in the nearby port city of Kuşadası. (B,D)

May 26 Tue EMBARK CRUISE SHIP IN KUSADASI – PATMOS
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Kuşadası Port to embark the the cruise ship 1:00pm. Sail to Patmos, a small Greek island in the Mediterranean. Arrive to the island around 4:30pm and a short tour over the traditional cave where John received his vision. After this short tour, free time at the island and back to the boat to sail to Rhodes by night. Dinner on board. (B,D)

May 27 Wed RHODES – CRUISE
Morning arrive to Rhodes 07:00am. Drive to the ancient Acropolis of Lindos and see Paul’s bay (Acts 21:1), where the Apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Then enjoy a walking tour through the medieval walled city of Rhodes and see the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. Free time to enjoy the Street of the Knights. Re-embarkation On board at latest 5:30pm, night sail to Crete. Dinner on board (B,D)

May 28 Thu HERAKLION – SANTORINI – CRUISE
Morning arrive to Heraklion (Crete) 7:00am. Optional visit the island until 11:30. *Optional tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home to Europe’s oldest civilization and the setting of the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur. During this tour we will have the chance to visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Re-embarkation on the ship at 11.30am to set sail to Santorini. Lunch on board. Arrive to Santorini at 4:30pm. Free afternoon in Santorini or enjoy an optional* boat tour to the volcanic islands and hot springs. Reembarkation on the ship at latest 9:00pm. Departure for Athens.

May 29 Fri DISEMBARK IN ATHENS – CORINTH TOUR - ATHENS
Arrive to Athens at 6:00 am. Disembark and meet the local guide and head for the excursion to Ancient Corinth. We will drive by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) and we arrive at Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was in this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came, worked and established a thriving church. We will see all the sites associated with his ministry: the agora, the Bema, Erasmus inscription and the small archaeological museum. On our return way to Athens, we will pass by Cenchreae, to see the port where Paul and his companions sailed to Ephesus. Afternoon back to Athens for check-in, dinner and overnight in Athens. (B,D)

May 30 Sat ATHENS
Full day Athens tour. Follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul stood and said, “ I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). See the Agora, the ancient market place and center of the Athenian public life, where the apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Afternoon visit to Acropolis Museum and Plaka district. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (B,D)

May 31 Sun DEPARTURE - Transfer to Athens airport. Fly back home. End of our services.

- International flights between New York-Istanbul, and Athens-New York
- Domestic flight from Istanbul to Antalya
- 2 Nights at Moevenpick Golden Horn in Istanbul or similar
- 2 Nights at Best Western Khan Hotel in Antalya or similar
- 2 Nights at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale or similar
- 2 Nights at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
- 1 Night at Korumar Hotel in Kuşadası or similar
- 3 Nights at Celestyal Cruise Ship – Cabin Category IA (Inside Cabin) – Cabin Upgrade available at extra cost
- 2 Nights Parthenon Hotel in Athens or similar
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- 14 Dinners
- 3 Lunches at the Cruise Ship
- English speaking Licensed Tour Guide in Turkey
- English speaking Licensed local Tour Guides in Greek islands
- English speaking Licensed Tour Guide in Greece
- Shore Excurion: Guided PATMOS
- Shore Excursion: Guided HERAKLION TOUR – Her-02 Minoan palace of Knossos – 1st European Civilization
- Shore Excursion: Guided RHODES TOUR – Rho-01 Medieval tour – Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the knights
- All mentioned transfers with Airconditioned vehicles
- All Parking fees
- All Entry fees to the sites and museums
- Service charges and local taxes
- TUTKU travel bag, maps, t-shirt

- Turkish Visa fee to be obtained online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr
- Tips to Tour Guides – Bus Drivers – Cruise staff
- Travel and health insurance, all kind of insurances