May 12: Leave USA
Depart from Portland International Airport (PDX)
May 13: Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, the only city on the world that is founded on two continents. Meet with your guide and transfer to the hotel. This evening welcome dinner will be served at the hotel.
May 14: Istanbul
In the morning embark on a private boat for a memorable cruise along the Bosphorus up to the Black Sea, seeing the Ottoman Palaces, pavilions, classical wooden houses, villages on both European and Asian coasts of Istanbul. After disembark the boat drive by the shores of Golden Horn and partly by following the Theodosian City Walls arrive at Chora Museum, ‘Church of St. Saviour in Chora’. A masterpiece in the Byzantine art with its well preserved mosaics and frescoes. A brief visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Church and back to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
May 15: Istanbul
Full day sightseeing in Istanbul. Visit the site of one of the biggest Hippodromes in the Roman World for 200.000 people, with Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpent Column. From here proceed to the 17th century Blue Mosque, world famous for the beauty of blue Iznik tiles. Visit Hagia Sophia (6th c. AD), a masterpiece Byzantine Christian Architecture and one of the oldest and biggest cathedrals of the world. Visit Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries to see the famous Topkapı Dagger and one of the biggest diamonds of the world: The Spoon Maker’s Diamond. At the end of the day visit one of the oldest shopping malls of the world. The Grand Bazaar from 15th century. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
May 16: Istanbul/Adana – Antiochia – Adana
After having an early breakfast transfer to the Domestic Airport for a short flight to Adana, where is home to 5,000 US service men/women at Incirlik NATO Airbase. Arrive and drive to Antakya ; ancient Antiochia is where the Christians were first called as “Christians” here (Acts 11:26). St. Paul and St. Barnabas used the city as a missionary headquarters. Visit the Grotto of St. Peter, a cave made into a church in 1198. Return to Adana for dinner and overnight at hotel.
May 17: Adana – Tarsus – Cappadocia
Morning depart for Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul (Acts 9:11-30, 21:39, 22:3,25-29). Tarsus was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world together with Athens, Alexandriapolis and Constantinopolis. The city is also the site where Mark Anthony first met Kleopatra and fell in love. Visit the so called Well of St. Paul and the partially excavated ancient avenue of Tarsus. In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia, visit one of the underground cities of Cappadocia; those have been established by early Christians, escaping from persecutions of Roman Empire. Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
May 18: Cappadocia
Full day tour of Cappodacia. Cappadocia is a unique site in the world with, fantastic volcanic landscapes, underground cities of early Christians and thousands of rock cut churches with fantastic fresco paintings. Cappodocia is under the protection UNESCO Cultural Department as a unique World Heritage Site. The roots of monastic life goes back to Cappadocia. St Basil of Caesarea established and encouraged monastic life in Cappadocia which had led to thousands of monastic communities during the medieval times. St Paul travelled on the outskirts of Cappadocia which explains the existence of many churches in Cappadocia. Your visits will include, Göreme and Paşabağ open air museums to visit the churches with the best preserved fresco paintings. You will also visit the Uçhisar and Güvercinlik valleys to enjoy the magnificent landscape of Cappadocia. A drive by Avanos village, famous for handmade pottery production since the times of Hittites. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cappadocia.
May 19: Cappadocia – Psidian Antiochia – Isparta 462 Km
Morning depart to Konya, en route stop by Sultanhan, a Seljukian caravanserai from 13th century on silk road. Continue to Psidian Antiochia, a very rich Roman metropolis, by the foot of impressive Taurus mountain range It was here, in Pisidian Antioch where Apostle Paul delivered his first recorded sermon in Asia Minor. (Acts 13:16)(Acts 13:44). Visit the synagogue and the churches of the city together with the temple and the theatre. Continue to Isparta for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
May 20: Isparta – Pamukkale
In the morning take a short drive to Laodicea which was one of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev 3:14-22) where John called the Christians “Lukewarm”. Recent Turkish excavations on the site are revealing the walls of a what might have been a monumental church. Continue to Hierapolis where Apostle Philip came to spread the Christianity, and is believed to have lived and martyred here. Hierapolis is mentioned in St. Paul’s epistle to the Colossians (Colossian 4:13). Explore one of the richest cemetery grounds of the ancient world, the main Domitian Gate and the main avenue. Visit the white travertine cascades of Pamukkale. Pamukkale is a unique site in the world, declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO Cultural Department. Dinner and overnight .
May 21: Pamukkale – Philadelphia – Sardis – Smyrna – Kuşadası
Morning drive to ancient Philadelphia to see the remaining walls of a monumental church. Philadelphia together with Symrna was one of the two seven churches of Asia Minor which did not receive any criticism about applications of Christianity. Then on to Sardis, the capital city of Lydian Kingdom. Sardis was one of the very rich metropolises of Asia Minor with crowded populations of Jews which might have enabled the Good News to be heard at a faster. The site is presently under the excavation of Harvard and Berkeley Universities. The city was where the richest man on earth, King Croesus enjoyed an incredible power and wealth. Lydians invented and minted the first coins in the world.
Visit one of the oldest synagogues of the world which was later converted into a church.Also visit the monumental Artemis Temple and the impressively restored Roman Imperial Hall.Drive to Izmir; ancient Smyrna which is one of the seven churches (Rev 2: 8-11). St. Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, one of the disciples of St. John. Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Kuşadası.
May 22: Ephesus
Today visit the glorious city of Ephesus (Rev 1:11, 2:1-7) (Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41 Ephesians). Ephesus was the capital city of Roman Province of Asia Minor; the site of One of the Seven Wonders of the World; Temple of Artemis, and the site of the third richest library of the ancient world; Celsus library. St. Paul came to Ephesus in 54 AD and stayed for three years. He preached the Gospel, gained followers and also established the church of Ephesus. St John (author of Revelations according to the New Testament) also spend his last years in Ephesus. St. John is believed to have been buried within the Basilica of St John. A strong tradition in the Catholic Church claims that St. John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus and she ascended to heaven from Ephesus. Your visit include Ephesus archaeological site, the Basilica of St. John. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
May 23: Kuşadası – Thyatira – Pergamon – Alexandria Troas – Çanakkale
In the morning first visit to Thyatira to visit the remains of the church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev 2:18-29). And then to Bergama-ancient Pergamon (Rev 2:12-17). Early Christian martyr Antipas was tortured to death here. Pergamon was the site of many temples to pagan Gods. Yet Christianity took a stronghold here as early as 2nd century, attested by the monumental size of Basilica of St. John. We have no evidence about Paul visiting in Pergamon. But it is clear that he walked through the area as he was on his way to Macedonia. Pergamon was the capital city of Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon. Pergamenese Library was the second richest library of the ancient world after the library in Alexandriapolis, Egypt. The city of Pergamon was also where parchement paper was invented. Continue to the site of Alexandria Troas; on his second missionary journey, St.Paul was in Troas when he had a vision of a man from Macedonia inviting him to Europe (Acts 16:8-12). And on the way back from his third missionary journey, Paul walked by land from Alexandria Troas to Assos to embark for Mytilene.(Acts 20:13-14). Dinner and overnight at hotel in Çanakkale.
May 24: Çanakkale – Istanbul 308 Km
In the morning take a short drive to Troy, the legendary stage for Homer’s Iliad. A comprehensive visit of the city’s nine different settlements at the hill of Hisarlık and the replica of the famous Trojan horse. Arrive in Canakkale to catch the ferry for crossing the strait of Dardanelles and continue to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul.
May 25: Istanbul
Transfer to Istanbul International Airport for departure flight back home.
Day 1: Çanakkale – Turkey/Greece Border – Kavala – Philippi- Thessaloniki
Following an early breakfast cross the straits of Dardanelles over to Gallipoli and drive to Turkey and Greece border. Greek guide & driver will welcome you at the Greek side and you will be driven to one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece – to the city of Kavala, with its elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Just after a short trip, we will arrive to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on Europe. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. Then we will travel west following the coast arriving in Thessalonica, in the evening. The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. En route to the hotel we will view the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. We will see St. Demetrius basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert before arriving at your hotel in Thessalonica for check-in. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thessaloniki.
Day 2: Thessaloniki – Meteora – Kalambaka
Depart from Thessaloniki and drive South along the beautiful landscape of inland Greece. Following a short drive, first stop is Veria, visiting St.Paul’s Bema ; it was here that Paul planted a church where studied the Scriptures on a regular basis. Continue to see the World famous Byzantine monasteries of Meteora that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refugee in the cliff-side caves. Then they fled higher to buildoriginal wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries. After visiting couple of monasteries check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Kalambaka – Athens
After having Breakfast at the hotel departure to Athens, enjoying beautiful landscapes while crossing Central Greece. Stop at the heroic monument of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae. This small monument commemorates the battle in 480 B.C. in which a small band of about Spartan soldiers held off a huge Persian army for three days. The delay was long enough to allow for the successful defense of Athens against the Persians. Arrival in Athens and on the way to your hotel, we will pass by the Prime Minister’s Residence – ex Royal Palace, Zappion Hall, Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s church, National Garden, Syntagma Square with the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Schliemann’s House, Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, Russian Orthodox Church and National Library. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Athens.
Day 4: Corinth & Athens
Breakfast at the hotel and just after departure to Ancient Corinth, via Iera Odos (the Sacred Way). It was so called because it was the route taken by a procession celebrating the Eleusinian Mysteries, were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece. Driving along the coastal road, we will reach Corinth canal, which merges the Aegean with the Ionian Sea (short stop for photos of the breathtaking view). Shortly thereafter we will reach the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years (Acts 18:1-18). Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, see the remains of the first century shops, the Agora where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, and one of the most outstanding monuments of pre–Roman period, the temple of Apollo. Return back to Athens for a city tour, starting with the visit of the archaeological site of Acropolis, an UNESCO’s world heritage monument and visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens and of course the Parthenon. We will proceed on foot to the Areopagus or Mars Hill, a bare marble hill next to the Acropolis, where Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “The Unknown God”, according to the biblical account (Acts 17). Continue with a short stop to Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in the modern era (1896). Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Transfer to the airport for return flight back home.
Turkey only
May 12, 2025
Depart: Portland PDX 7:15 pm
Arrive: London LHR 12:45 pm (next day)
May 13, 2025
Depart: London LHR 6:30 pm
Arrive: Istanbul IST 12:25 am (May 14)
May 25, 2025
Depart: Istanbul IST 8:25 am
Arrive: London LHR 10:30 am
May 25, 2025
Depart: London LHR 3:00 pm
Arrive: Portland PDX 5:25 pm
- Price: $1,450
- Airline: British Air
- Registration & payment deadline: Feb 1, 2025
- Luggage: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on, 1st checked bag is free for each direction
Turkey and Greece extension
May 12, 2025
Depart: Portland PDX 1:30 pm
Arrive: Amsterdam AMS 11:40 am (next day)
May 13, 2025
Depart: Amsterdam AMS 7:55 am
Arrive: Istanbul IST 4:05 pm
May 28, 2025
Depart: Athens ATH 6:00 am
Arrive: Amsterdam AMS 8:30 am
May 28, 2025
Depart: Amsterdam AMS 10:40 am
Arrive: Portland PDX 11:30 am
- Price: $1,550
- Airline: Delta/KLM
- Registration & payment deadline: Feb 1, 2025
- Luggage: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on, 1st checked bag is free for each direction
