"Explore the Books of Acts and Cities of Revelation""
April 27-May 6, Greece
May 6-10, Turkey (extension)
TOUR ITINERARY
TOUR BROCHURE:
TOUR CODE: MannaG26
DAY 1 (Monday, April 27):
Meet in Chicago and depart U.S.A. to fly overnight to Athens.
DAY 2 (Tuesday, April 28): We arrive in Athens in the mid-afternoon and then fly to Thessaloniki. This city is where Jason received Paul. Paul preached the Word of God here until he was hurried out of the city. We transfer to our hotel for check-in and dinner.
DAY 3 (Wednesday, April 29): In the morning, we will visit the landmarks of Thessaloniki: the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius, and the Rotonda. We will also visit the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia, the city's oldest and most admired Christian churches.
We then follow the Via Egnatia route and, like Paul and his companions, visit the area of Amphipolis to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis.
Then we continue to Philippi. We visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized her. Also, we visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater.
Then we drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first step in bringing the Gospel to present-day Europe. A picturesque port, we view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 (Thursday, April 30): This morning, we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries perched on the summits of gray rock peaks of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century, when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves and fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries.
Afterward, we will continue to Athens, where we will have dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 (Friday, May 1): We board a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea, leaving Athens and sailing to the quaint island of Mykonos, known as the island of windmills. We disembark and have time to explore the waterfront lined with shops and cafes. We then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.
No excursions are planned for today, as we will visit the island at our leisure. You are welcome to explore on your own or with Rick as your guide.
DAY 6 (Saturday, May 2): In the morning, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. We’ll disembark for a bus excursion to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus include the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsus, the ruins of the Temple of Diana (one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”), and many more.
Later, we sail for the island of Patmos. We’ll disembark for a bus excursion to the Monastery of St. John, on one of the island’s highest points. From there, we walk down to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site of the apocalyptic Revelation of John the Apostle.
DAY 7 (Sunday, May 3): In the morning, we arrive at Heraklion, Crete, and disembark for a bus excursion through the town of Heraklion and to arrive at the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. If time allows, we may visit the church where Titus pastored. Paul left Titus in Crete and gave instructions on appointing church leaders in the towns (Titus 1:5ff).
In the afternoon, we cruise to the isle of Santorini with the option of disembarking to visit the town on your own or with Rick as your guide. No excursion. Santorini is often referred to as the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands (with many cafes and shops). The exquisite, whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs accessible by cable car or mule.
DAY 8 (Monday, May 4): We disembark the cruise this morning in Piraeus. After disembarking, we will continue our sightseeing with a visit to Ancient Corinth. This once-glorious city near the Isthmus is where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God (Acts 18:1-18). We’ll visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, who was accused by the Jews of Corinth.
Continuing to Cenchreae, where Paul departed for Asia, we return to Athens for a comprehensive sightseeing tour encompassing the Acropolis, Mars Hill, the Agora, and other historical landmarks.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon in personal exploration before dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 9 (Tuesday, May 5): Today, we embark on a journey to Delphi, revered in ancient times as the “omphalos” or navel of the earth,
renowned for the Temple of Apollo and the influential Delphic oracle. Delphi also hosted the Pythian Games, drawing athletes from across Greece in a tradition that preceded the modern Olympics. En route, enjoy scenic vistas of mountain villages, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Greece.
Conclude the day with dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 10 (Wednesday, May 6):
In the morning, we transfer to Athens Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A....OR...
Those taking the extension will fly our to Istanbul. We begin our “Istanbul City tour” with the Blue Mosque, the most splendid mosque in the city, which is distinguished by six slender minarets and the interior decorated with blue Iznik tile.
Then we continue with a walk through the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine civic life, housing three ancient monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Visit St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom), one of the greatest churches in the world, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After the conquest of the city in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1934.
In the afternoon, visit the famous Topkapi Palace, where the rich collection of OttomanTreasures can be seen. This palace, with a base area of 700,000 sq. meters, is spread over the promontory called the Seraglio Point. We will view the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. This legendary maze of buildings was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and the administrative heart of the Empire. Nowadays, it is one of the world’s greatest museums.
Dinner and overnight will be in Istanbul.
DAY 11 (Thursday, May 7): We start the day with a transfer to Istanbul Airport for a short flight to Izmir.
We arrive in Izmir and begin our sightseeing as we tour ancient Pergamum (Bergsma), center of rule for the Roman Empire. Sights include the Asklepion, an ancient healing center, the Acropolis with its pagan temples and Altar of Zeus (some call the throne of Satan), and the Temple of Trajan.
After stopping for lunch (not included), we will continue to Thyatira, smallest of the Seven Churches of which John writes in Revelation.
Dinner and overnight are in Izmir.
DAY 12 (Friday, May 8): An early morning start takes us to Philadelphia (Alasehir), the church that “kept the faith” and Sardis, capital of the Lydian Kingdom. It was also the first city to use coins of gold and silver.
Our visit in Sardis will take us to the amazing ruins of the Temple
of Artemis, the picturesque gymnasium, and the synagogue with intact mosaic tile artwork.
We will return to Izmir for dinner and over-night.
DAY 13 (Saturday, May 9): Today we will travel to ancient Laodicea, a city known for its riches, development of medicines, and where the church was known for being “lukewarm in belief.”
Take a short drive to Hierapolis visiting the vast, ancient necropolis (burial grounds), large amphitheater, St. Philip’s Church, and framed Roman baths. The white travertine falls and hot springs of Pamukkale are a beautiful secret of nature that we will enjoy today. We will have time for a short devotion in the Laodicea amphitheater.
Afterward, we'll return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13 (Sunday, May 10): We transfer in the morning to Izmir Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A. and arrive the same day.
Our travel partner:
