Depart the USA

Arrive at the Athens airport this morning, where your guide will meet you. Enjoy the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to the world renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum.  Stand on Mars Hill as the apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, "I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you" (Acts 17:23). As you look upon the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), recall that this was 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. Dinner and overnight is spent in Athens.

Journey to the city of Corinth, where the apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquilla and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord saying, "I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18: 10). As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8), establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Discover the Archaeological Museum, Market Place and Temples. As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews. Stop briefly at the port town of Cenchreae from which Paul later departed for Syria (Acts 18: 12 -18). Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Fly from Athens to Thessaloniki this morning. Discover Thessaloniki, where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his preaching of Christ (Acts 17: 3 -6). As you explore St. George's Basilica, believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached, reflect on the two epistles the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church here. Stroll through the Archaeological Museum and the beautiful basilicas of St. Sophia and St. Demetrios dedicated to a distinguished Roman proconsul martyred for his Christian faith. Along the Via Egnatia stands the Galerus Arch, and you can look out over the second largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts, some dating back to Roman times. Follow the path of Paul when he fled Thessaloniki for the safety of Veria (Berea), where Jews and some honorable Greeks accepted the new faith (Act 17: 10 -12). Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Follow in the footsteps of Paul and Silas to Amphipolis and explore the ruins of the many Christian basilicas there. In Philippi is a baptismal site commemorating where God opened the heart of Lydia (a seller of purple from Thyatira) to hear the words of Paul (Acts 16:13-15). Lydia and her household were the first Christian converts baptized on European soil. View the Roman-era crypt thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul, and explore Philippi’s famous acropolis, marketplace, the Basilica of Paul, and theater. Today’s last stop is Neapolis (Kavala), one of Greece’s most picturesque mainland ports, where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. See the Roman aqueduct and acropolis. Return to your hotel in Thessaloniki for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, you will fly to Türkiye. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to Adana. Dinner and overnight in Adana.

Ancient Antioch was the center of Hellenistic civilization in the region and home to a massive temple and oracle complex dedicated to the pagan god Apollo. The temple functioned until the visiting Emperor Justinian threw out the last remaining priest and ordered the place burned to the ground. Christian roots go deep into Antioch’s soil. To Antioch, many Jerusalem Christians fled after the death of Stephen (Acts 11: 19-21). Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch for a year, assembled with the church, and taught many people (Acts 11: 22-26). Later, the city became the center where Paul performed his missionary labors (Acts 13: 1-5; 14-44; 14: 26-28; 15: 22-41; 18: 22-23). It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians,” and it was here that the first non-Jews were accepted into the early church. Visit the Grotto of St. Peter and the Titus tunnels before viewing the ocean from the old harbor of Seleucia Pieria. Your dinner and overnight stay are in Adana.

Tarsus was the birthplace of Paul (Acts 22:3), and he visited it on his second and third missionary journeys. Tarsus’s history dates back to the 14th century BC, and it has a resplendent past. Enjoy a beautiful coastal drive to the Side, where you will spend the night. Visit the Roman ruins of the Byzantine period at Side, including the theater and the baths. Dinner and overnight stay are in Side.

The Aspendos amphitheater, known for its outstanding acoustics, is exceptionally well preserved and still used today for special events. Nearby is Perge, a Hellenistic city where Paul preached (Acts 14: 25). The ruins of a large stadium, baths, and a tomb give ample evidence of its former greatness. Paul and Barnabas visited here on their first journey. Famous as the receiver of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, the town of Colossae has fallen into obscurity. While you can still see traces of the theater, the necropolis, and the church, the ancient city is mostly indistinguishable ruins. Dinner and your overnight stay are in Pamukkale.

Hierapolis is blessed with hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians, saluting Epaphras, a fellow laborer, for his love of the brethren there (Colossians 4: 13). The ruins cover more than a mile. You will see the impressive amphitheater with seats still in perfect condition. You will see the city gates, column-lined streets, and arches, which have stood through time and earthquakes. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle,” and is named for the limestone-laden hot springs that cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . . “. Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Visit the site of Philadelphia, also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7 -13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev. 3: 12) Today, not much is left to mark the spot. Dinner and your overnight stay are in Kusadasi.

Pergamum was another of the seven churches mentioned in Revelations (Rev. 2: 12). It displeased the Lord because it tolerated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which Christ hated (Rev. 2:13 -17). The fabled Acropolis towers 1000 feet above the town, commanding a spectacular panorama. As you pass through the Royal Gates, you will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. You will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the library, which once held 200,000 parchment volumes. You will see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium, and the Health Center (Aesclepion). Visit Thyatira, once a busy trading center, home to Lydia, the “seller of purple” (Acts 16). Today, it is famous for Persian rugs. Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations, tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18 -29). Dinner and your overnight stay are in Kusadasi.

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. Today, you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. You will view the library and the huge agora. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. You will visit the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of his grave. From the basilica, enjoy a commanding view of the area. You will visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. You will have time to explore this powerful city on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul. Fly from Izmir back to Istanbul for dinner and overnight.

The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532 -537 AD). The church has 107 columns fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

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