The Way International™ Study Tours:
Paul’s Itineraries

Price Per person Based on Double Occupancy and on the current exchange rate of $1.09 to 1 Euro and is subject to change.

Date	Price	Additional Charge for Single Occupancy
October 10 – 22, 2025	$4,200 – $4,900* Land Only: $3,000 – $3,700	$885
*Includes all air arrangements. Reservation Due: June 20, 2025 Final Payment Due: July 21, 2025

Included

11 nights lodging in 4 star hotels, Breakfast and dinner daily, Full-time English-speaking Turkish and Greek Tour Guide, Porterage at Hotels (1 Bag), Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff, Services of long-distance deluxe motorcoach as appear on itinerary, All guides, entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, Pilgrim Payment Processing / Including Credit Card Processing, All Air Arrangements

Not Included

Lunches, Optional Travel Insurance (US Residence Only)

Day 1: Departure from US (Oct. 10)

Today we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Turkey. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight—tomorrow you will be walking in the land where the Apostle Paul walked!

Day 2: Arrival in Istanbul (Oct. 11)

We transfer to our hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, for the next two evenings.

Day 3: Istanbul (Oct. 12)

The tour today will be an unusual combination of Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, and modern-day Islam. We will visit the hippodrome, and go inside the famed Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Church. After lunch we visit the fascinating Topkapi Palace housing the many priceless treasures and colorful stories of Ottoman sultans. We return to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Istanbul, Konya, Lystra, Iconium, and Ҫatalhöyük (Oct. 13)

After breakfast, we head to the airport to board our flight to Konya. Upon arrival, we will visit Lystra, where Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-22). Next is our visit to Konya (ancient Iconium). Nearly two thousand years ago, Paul and Barnabas visited Iconium during Paul’s first missionary journey. As he preached to the city, God worked in Paul to bring many Judeans and Gentiles to Christ (Acts 14:1-6). We will also visit the excavations of Ҫatalhöyük before transferring to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Konya.

Day 5: Konya, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae, and Pamukkale (Oct. 14)

After breakfast, our travel continues west. 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. The contrast between the hot springs of Hierapolis and the cold mountain springs near Colossae helps illustrate the reference to the Laodiceans as being “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:14-22). The proximity of the three cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 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 as the church to whom Paul’s letter to the Colossians was first addressed. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. Our dinner and overnight will be in Pamukkale.

Day 6: Pamukkale, Philadelphia, Sardis, Thyatira, and Izmir (Oct. 15)

Today we are departing our hotel in Pamukkale. Our next stop is nearby Philadelphia, referenced 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. Then, we travel to Sardis. Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. We’ll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Next, we travel east to Thyatira viewing the ancient roadway and period columns. Thyatira was once a busy trading center and famous as a “seller of purple,” also noted in Acts 16:14 as the home where Lydia the seller of purple was from. We continue south to Izmir, which is the third largest city in Turkey and a longtime center for Judeans and Christians. In Paul’s day, Izmir was known as Smyrna. We’ll see Polycarp’s Church and visit the ancient Roman agora (an ancient market place). Our lodging this evening will be in Izmir.

Day 7: Izmir and Ephesus (Oct. 16)

We travel to the nearby town of Selçuk for a visit of ancient Ephesus. 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. We view the library, agora, theater, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic terrace houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area (including a wealth of church history and cultural insight). Then we continue with a visit to the basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be resting place of John. From here we have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the mosque of Jesus, and see the site of the temple of Artemis, which is listed as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Dinner and overnight will be in Izmir.

Day 8: Izmir, Pergamum, Alexandria Troas, Troy, and Çanakkale (Oct. 17)

After breakfast today, we drive to Pergamum, in the north of Turkey. We’ll visit the fabled acropolis, pass through the royal gates, view the foundations of the altar of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library (which once held 200,000 volumes). We continue toward Çanakkale, eventually passing through the region of Troas, a place imbued with Biblical significance. It was here that the Apostle Paul had a vision during his second missionary journey, where he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-13). Later, Paul spent a week in Troas preaching, and it was in Troas where Eutychus was miraculously revived after falling from a window (Acts 20:6-12). A highlight of your journey will be a visit to ancient Troy, renowned for its archaeological treasures. Excavated in 1873 by Heinrich Schliemann, Troy offers a glimpse into the ancient past that has captivated imaginations for centuries. Be sure to capture a photo atop the iconic Trojan horse before you continue to your nearby lodging for the evening, reflecting on the rich history and experiences of the day. Dinner and overnight will be in Çanakkale.

Day 9: Çanakkale, Turkish/Greek Border, Philippi, Amphipolis, and Thessaloniki (Oct. 18)

After breakfast this morning, we drive north to the Turkish/Greek border where we will meet our Greek guide and driver. We continue our adventure as we continue west toward Philippi, where Paul first preached on European soil. We will view the traditional baptismal site along the river, where Lydia and her family may have been born again, and we will visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought by some to have served as a prison for Paul when he was there. Next, we observe the famous acropolis, the marketplace, basilica, and the theater. This afternoon, we will make a brief stop in Amphipolis to view the famous lion statue, a tomb monument from the fourth century B.C. that Paul would have likely walked past on his way to Amphipolis. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel in Thessaloniki.

Day 10: Thessaloniki, Berea, and Apollonia (Oct. 19)

This morning we will visit the old city rampart, the newly excavated Forum, and the St. George Church (an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church). Next, we will drive to Berea to view the ancient synagogue where Paul spoke, as well as the bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. After lunch, we will drive to Apollonia, a town where Paul and Silas passed through on their journey. Dinner and overnight will be in Thessaloniki.

Day 11: Thessaloniki and Athens (Oct. 20)

This morning, we will embark on our journey southward to Athens. Upon arrival this afternoon, we will enjoy a city tour of Athens. Additional sites include the agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and the Presidential Palace. A short walk from your hotel is the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafés. Our lodging is in Athens for the next two evenings.

Day 12: Athens, Corinth, and Cenchreae (Oct. 21)

This morning, our travels continue in Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the acropolis, the Parthenon and Erectheum before viewing Athens from atop Mars Hill, where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Next, we will travel out of the city to explore the amazing sight of Corinth. We will 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 where Paul wrote the epistles of I and II Thessalonians and Romans). We will see the archaeological museum, the marketplace, the bema, and the temples. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along stone paths 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. 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.

Day 13: Depart for home (Oct. 22)

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