Day 1: Departure from US
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!

Day 2: Arrive Athens
We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel and home for the next 6 nights. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners.

Day 3: Three Island Day Cruise 
Today we enjoy a cruise from Athens to the fabulous Greek islands of Hydra, Poros and Egina for a relaxing day on the sea. Sit back and enjoy your leisurely cruise with free time on each island to explore.  In Hydra, you will have free time for strolling, shopping and swimming. Next, it's on to the island of Egina, passing through the narrow strait separating the Peloponnesian coast from the island of Poros. Upon arrival you can either join an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia (cost not included) or take a walk around the main town. Egina (Aegina) is one of the Saronic islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf. The lovely island is only 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Athens, and is a popular getaway for Athenians during the summer months.  After lunch served on board, you'll sail to Poros in the southern Agrosaronic Gulf. You'll have free time to explore Poros - perhaps you'd like to visit ancient Trizina, the ruins of the Russian Dockyard or take a romantic stroll in the Lemon Forest.

Day 4: Athens Walking Tour, Free Time
This morning we enjoy a guided walking tour including entrance into the Dionysus Theatre built 325 BC, the Keramikos Cemetery Archeological Site with the ancient Sacred Gate and Sacred Road, Temple of Zeus, the Roman Agora and many other sights conducted by an expert guide.  Your afternoon is free with many things to do and see, including a visit to visit one of Athens wonderful museums.  We suggest the new Acropolis Museum as it is one of the best in the world.

Day 5: Delphi
From Athens, our tour travels northward to the lovely mountain region of Delphi - the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Here you will gain a greater understanding of the Greek religious heritage and their influence on the early Christian church. We also visit the museum where we will marvel at the site of the Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate we will see his eyelashes. This afternoon we continue southward past Thermopylae and back to the city of Athens, the birth place of democracy.

Day 6: Athens, Acropolis, Mars Hill
We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace.  A short walk from your hotel is the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 7: Ancient Corinth 
Departing Athens, we stop for a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal and then travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked.  The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. Next, we travel to the top of the nearby Acropolis where our guide will speak on the worship practices and point out the bird’s eye view of what was a bustling city of around 800,000 during Paul’s stay. Before ending our day we visit Cenchreae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18, states the Apostle Paul stopped at Cenchreae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow.  We return to Athens for the evening.

Day 8: Arrive Turkey, Smyrna
We fly from Athens to Izmir and our lodging for the evening.  Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time center for Jews and Christians.  In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Here we'll pass by the church of Polycarp and visit the ancient agora.

Day  9:  Ancient Pergamum & the “Cotton Castle” Pamukkale
Our highlight today is Pergamum. Once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches, the church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library, which once held 200,000 volumes. Other things of special interest are the mountainside theatre, the series of underlying stone archways used to support agora, temple and acropolis areas.  We travel inland to our lodging for the next two evenings in a lovely hot springs spa hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 10: Hierapolis, Laodicea & Colossae
Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae that combined to bring application to the "luke warm" Laodiceans. (Rev 3:14-22)  This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13).   Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system.  Nearby Colossae is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians.  Time will be allowed today for you to take advantage of the many services offered by your spa hotel.

Day 11: Thyatira,  Sardis, Philadelphia
A stop will be made in Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and period columns en-route to Sardis. Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality; it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wood originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Our next stop is nearby Philadelphia which was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation. Not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of Alasehir. Our lodging for the next two nights will be in the charming seaside village of Kusadasi.

Day 12: Ephesus
We travel to the nearby town of Selcuk for a visit to the Basilica of St. John, housing an immersion baptismal and believed to be resting place of John.   From here we have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor and the Temple of Artemis, completed in its most famous phase around 550 BC and listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  Next, we travel a short distance down the hill to visit the Mosque of Jesus (Jesus is a respected prophet to Muslims). A wealth of artifacts awaits us at the nearby Museum of Ephesus.   We spend the remainder of our day in Ephesus, the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress with miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city where we view the Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis, theatre, colorful mosaics, a panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area including a wealth of church history and cultural insight. The day will not be complete without a visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative.

Day 13: Depart for Home
This morning we transfer to the Izmir airport for our flight back home.