Day 2 | Sunday, April 27

Turkey

Instabul – Upon arrival, meet your guide/lecturer and private transfer to your hotel in the Sultanahmet area. Dinner and Overnight (D).

Day 3 | Monday, April 28

ISTANBUL

After breakfast, start sightseeing major highlights in Istanbul, once the capital city of three Empires. Tour includes visits to: Roman Hippodrome/Blue Mosque famous for interior Blue colored Iznik tiles, St. Sofia Church (now Grand Mosque) which was once the largest Christian Church in the world, and the Underground Cistern.

Lunch will be served in the historical restaurant at the Topkapi Palace overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.

After lunch, continue visiting the major sections of Topkapi Palace which was the royal seat of Ottoman Sultans for more than 400 years. Late afternoon enjoy exploring the streets and alleys of the Grand Bazaar. Dinner & Overnight (B, D).

Day 4 | Tuesday, April 29

ISTANBUL

Morning visit to Kariye Museum (now Mosque), with mosaics and frescoes inside considered masterpieces of the Byzantine “renaissance” and Sergius & Bachus Churches.
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise and a short excursion to Asian side. Dinner & Overnight in Istanbul (B,D).

Day 5 | Wednesday, April 30

ISTANBUL/ TROAS

A morning scenic coach drive go along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara and then crossing Dardanelles by a ferry.
Afternoon visit the ruins of Troas where St. Paul made a visit during his second campaign to Asia Minor and Macedonia. On to the hotel at the Asian coast of the Dardanelles offering a fascinating sunset over Dardanelles.Dinner and Overnight (B,D).

Day 6 | Thursday, May 1

PERGAMUM|
THYATIRA|
IZMIR

Morning visit the Asclepion – the first medical center of the ancient world, the Acropolis, Library, Theatre, Temples of Trajan & Dionysus, the site of the monumental Altar of Zeus, Gymnasium and Lower Agora.
Afternoon proceed to Akhisar, to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, one of the 7 churches, set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardis. Then drive to Izmir to visit the old town associated with St. Polycarp who was martyred there. Dinner & Overnight Izmir (B, D ).

Day 7 | Friday, May 2

SARDIS|
EPHESUS

Morning departure to the site of Sardis – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of the Church of Sardis, built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Then we proceed to the ancient Philadelphia Church at Alasehir, one of the last cities to fall to the Ottomans. Drive to Ephesus. Dinner and Overnight in Selchuk (B,D).

Day 8 | Saturday, May 3

EPHESUS

Morning explore Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved
Greco-Roman city of the ancient world. Tour starts with a visit to Mother Mary’s House which was announced as to be a pilgrimage place for Roman Catholics by Pope Paul VI. Then visit the spectacular remains and edifices of the city of Ephesus including the State Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Marble Road and the Temples of Hadrian and Trajan. Then visit the impressive Celcius Library and finally the famous Amphitheatre where St. Paul preached to Ephesians.
Lunch will be served at one of the local restaurants in Selchuk.
Afternoon continue visiting St. John’s Basilica and the local museum where the major findings from Ephesus are on display. Dinner and Overnight at Selchuk (B,D).

Day 9 | Sunday, May 4

APRODISIAS|
LAODICEA|
PAMUKKALE

Drive to Pamukkale. En route visit the ruins of Aphrodisias, a Roman city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and Beauty.
After lunch, continue to Hierapolis, then to the nearby ruins of Laodicea of which people were addressed by St. John in one of his letters from to the Seven Churches from Patmos.
Late afternoon arrival at Pamukkale. Enjoy your time walking in the thermal waters and white slopes before checking in at the hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale (B, D).

Day 10 | Monday, May 5

FLIGHT TO ATHENS

Dinner and Overnight Athens (B, D).

Day 11 | Tuesday, May 6

ATHENS

Visits to the Parthenon, Mars Hill, and Archaeological Museum. Dinner and Overnight Athens (B, D).#

Day 12 | Wednesday, May 7

CORINTH

Visit the ancient city of Corinth site, the Corinth Canal and Cenchrea, where Paul shaved his head and Phoebe served the church. Dinner and Overnight in Athens (B, D).