Turkey & Greece

Price Per person Based on Double Occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
June 11-22, 2025	$5,000*	$880
*Airfare from Chicago included Reservation Due: February 28, 2025 Final Payment Due: April 10, 2025

Included

Roundtrip air from Chicago including current air taxes and fuel surcharges (taxes and fuel charges are subject to change), One way flights from Izmir to Athens and Athens to Thessalonica, 10 nights lodging at 4 star hotels, Breakfast and dinner daily, Full time English speaking tour escorts (Saba in Turkey), Services of air conditioned deluxe motor coach, All guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary, Baggage handling at hotels (one piece), Pilgrim payment processing by check, Visa, Master Card, or Discover

Not Included

All lunches, Tips to driver, guides, and hotel staff ($130 recommend per person), Optional travel insurance (7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost)

June 11: Flight

Overnight flight departing from Chicago.

June 12: Arrive in Turkey

Arrive in Izmir. Take a panoramic driving tour of the city and stop for some free time for lunch on your own. Afterwards we transfer to the hotel. Dinner at hotel.

June 13: Izmir/Pergamum

In Izmir visit the Agora Open Air Museum. This is the site of the church of Smyrna. Continue to the mountaintop acropolis of 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, visit the ruins of the library, which once held 200,000 volumes, and the theater. Return to Izmir.

June 14: Sardis/Hierapolis

We continue 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 wool originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. 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. We will visit the theater and the locations dedicated to Philip. Dinner & overnight at hotel in Pamukkale.

June 15: Laodicea and Colossae

It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae that combined to bring application to the "lukewarm" 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. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. We spend the remainder of the day traveling through the Turkish countryside arriving in the port city of Kusadasi. Dinner at hotel.

June 16: Ephesus

We travel to 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, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, a panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area including a wealth of church history and cultural insight. We will also visit the Ephesus Museum which houses finds from the excavation site. Afternoon transfer to the Izmir airport for a direct flight to Athens. Transfer to the hotel in Athens for 2 nights.

June 17: Corinth & Cenchreae

We travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Next, we visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. 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 for the Bible. 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. We travel on 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. Another important stop is a visit to Diolkos where we view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and served as a life line for Corinth. This shortcut allowed ancient vessels to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Before returning to Athens, we will 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. Time to swim while in Cenchreae as well.

June 18: Athens

Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. 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. Next we visit the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are, the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. Free time to explore on your own in Athens.

June 19: Meteora

From Athens, our tour travels northward past Thermopylae where we learn of the famous Spartan battle of 300. We continue through the mountains to Meteora. Here we see the world famous Byzantine monasteries 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 refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Visit to Pefkis Workshop. Our lodging this evening will be in Meteora.

June 20: Thessalonica

Traveling north this morning, our first stop will be a visit to King Phillip's (Alexander's father) tomb in Vergina, one of the most outstanding finds in all of Greece. We then make the short trip to nearby Berea to view the synagogue where Paul preached. We stop at the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church. The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today as we arrive in the delightful harbor city of Thessalonica. 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 spend two nights here.

June 21: Philippi and Kavala

Next, we will visit Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most 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. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. 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. We return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, before returning to the hotel for our final night.

June 22: Homeward Bound

We transfer to the Thessalonica airport for our flight home.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.