DAY 1- ISTANBUL ( D. )
Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport, met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2- ISTANBUL ( D. )
Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace including treasury section, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place and free time in Grand bazaar with its 3.500 shops. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 ISTANBUL - ADANA - ANTAKYA ( ANTIOCH ) - ADANA ( B. D.)
pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for flight to Adana in the morning. arrival and
Drive through the Biblical city of Antioch This city was the headquarters of St. Pauls Missionary Journeys. It was the third largest city of the Roman Empire rivaled only by Rome and Alexandria. St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Barnabas and St.Timothy all preached here. The New Testament Book of Acts of the Apostles specifically declares that Jesus followers were first called Christians here. Visit the cave church where St. Peter first celebrated mass. South of the church, the Iron Gate was one of the actual entrancesof Biblical Antioch. Strolling through the old part of the city, you cannot help but recall that all the saints walked these old streets, for little has changed since that time. Antioch also has a world-famous museum of Roman mosaics. After lunch, drive to Seleucia Peria which is mentioned in the New Testament as the port from which St. Paul and St. Barnabas set sail for Anatolia on their first missionary journey (45-46A.D.). Visit the Temple of Zeus to look from the temple for a bird’s eye view of the first missionary harbor and then visit the famous Titus water tunnel. Overnight in Adana.
Day 4 : ADANA/KONYA ( B. D. )
Drive to Tarsus.Visit the birthplace of St.Paul (10A.D.)Drink from the well of blessed water.
Drive to Konya via Karapinar. On the way, visit the most scenic natural monument Meke Crater Lake. Arrive in Konya, transfer to your hotel. Konya is one of Turkeys oldest continuously inhabited cities, known as Iconium in Roman times. It was home of the whirling Dervishes in the twelfth century. Visit the Mevlana Mausoleum and his museum. He was the founder of the whirling dervishes. Visit the Karatay tile museum and monumental Ince Minareli Medrese Gate. Finally, visit the Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Konya.
Day 5 : KONYA/PISIDIAN ANTIOCH// Colossea PAMUKKALE ( B. D. )
Drive to PISIDIAN Antioch. It was here that St. Paul changed world history by opening Christianity to the pagan world. Visit the church of St. Paul, the Roman bath, Temple of Augustus and Museum. Visit Colossea and The final destination however, is still more spectacular: the shimmering towers and Cotton Castle of Pamukkale where cascading water and hot springs flow into limestone basins. Transfer to your hotel to enjoy a leisurely bath in the warm mineral waters of your hotels pool. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6 : PAMUKKALE – LAODICEA - PHILADELPHIA-SARDES-KUSADASI ( B. D. )
After breakfast visit ancient city LOADICEA, home of ZENON and city of the rich people.Visit there one of the Seven Churches of Apocalypse and the remains of the Cathedral than Continue to PHILADELPHIA in Alasehir the remains of a church.Visit SARDES,capital of ancient LYDIA with temple of the CYBLE&DIANA,which became later a church,see the royal road.Continue to Kusadasi.Dinner nad overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 : Kusadasi - Patmos ( Greece ) Kusadasi ( B. D )
Morning transfer to Kusadasi port for private ferry to patmos. arrsail to Patmos at 12.00
meet our representative at Skala port of Patmos and board the bus for an anfternoon tour. Visit the St. John Monastery and the Cave of Apocalypse*. After the visit lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Skala port for embarkation our private ferry back to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi
Day 8 : EPHESUS - THE HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY ( B. D. )
Drive to the unforgettable remains of Ephesus. Visit Ephesus and the church of the Virgin Mary. Nearby, visit The Virgin Mary’s House, on a wooded hilltop where it was miraculously discovered. Finally, visit Ephesus Archaeological Museum and St. John’s Basilica, where, according to legend, he is buried. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9 : - SMYRNA - TYHATIRA – PERGAMON - CANAKKALE ( B. D. )
Continue Izmir after breakfast, the Pearl of the Aegean . Visit the church of St. Policarp, the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Next visit Alexander the Greats Velvet Castle overlooking the Bay of Izmir. Drive to Akhisar via Manisa, ancient Tyhatira. Visit the church of Thyatira.After visit of the remains of a church drive to PERGAMON visit Acropolis (Temple of ATHENA,etc) Red Basilica (ancient medical center ) Overnight in Ayvalik – Dikili.
Day 10 – BORDER CROSSING – KAVALA ( B. D. )
At around noon meet our guide at Greek side of the borders. Board the Greek bus and drive towards Kavala passing by Alexandroupolis. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kavala.
Day 11– KAVALA – THESSALONIKI ( B. D. )
Morning departure for Thessaloniki passing by Amphipolis. Short stop to see the Lion Statue.
Continue on to Thessaloniki for an afternoon city tour. We see the White Tower, drive on the Egnatian Way and see Galerius Arch and Rotunda.
Afternoon check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – THESSALONIKI – METEORA – KALAMBAKA ( B. D. )
We depart early morning from Thessaloniki and drive to Kalambaka where we arrive at around noon. We visit Meteora monasteries in the afternoon. Cherk-in at hotel in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: KALAMBAKA – DELPHI – ATHENS ( B. D. )
Morning drive towards Athens. On our way we stop in Delphi, on the slopes of Mount Parnassos. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. After the visit we continue on to Athens. Check-in at hotel in Athens late in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: ATHENS – FULL DAY ARGOLIS ( B. D. )
Morning drive along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf and arrive at the Corinthian Canal, a four miles narrow cut of land, connecting the waters of the Saronic with the Corinthian Gulfs. After a short stop continue on to Epidaurus to visit: the Sanctuary of Asclepeios, ancient god of healing. We also see the best-preserved ancient theatre in all of Greece, famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection of its remarkable acoustics, easily accommodating 12,000 people.
We then pass by Nafplion for a short stop. Continue on to Mycenae to visit the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses' Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter.
Late in the afternoon return to hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 15: ATHENS – HALF DAY TOUR ( B. D. )
We enjoy a morning city tour of Athens.
We climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library.
Day 16 : - DEPARTURE ( B. )
After breakfast transfer with our representative to Athens International Airport for departure flight.
Package rates include:
- 15 nights accommodation in,
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary ( B. : Breakfast, D : Dinner ).
- All land transportation by fully air conditioned deluxe motor coach.
- Highway tolls.
- Sightseeing tours as specified in the program with the services of local professional tour guide.
- Entrance fees to all the archaeological sites and museums as specified in the itinerary.
- Private ferry to Patmos,
- Local taxes and service charges
- Greek/Turkish borders crossing fees.
Not included:
- All air transportation.
- Travel and Medical Health insurance.
- Lunches and beverages. (except for lunch – set menu - on the ship)
- Tips to local drivers and guides.
- All personal expenses.
- Any other items not specifically mentioned as being included.
Individual service is not available.
Please, contact us.