|
DAY 01: DEPART. Depart USA en route to
Frankfurt, Germany and on to Istanbul.
 DAY 02: ISTANBUL / KAYSERI (CAPPADOCIA). We
transfer at the Istanbul airport for our flight to Kayseri. From the
Kayseri airport, our private motor coach whisks us off to the "other
worldly" landscape of Cappadocia. We are surrounded by the lunar
landscapes of Cappadocia. Our evening meal awaits us, then we retire to
rest from our journey.
DAY 03: CAPPADOCIA / ANTAKYA (Antioch on
the Orontes).
We depart this morning for Antalya
traveling through the Taurus Mountains. We will visit the St. Peter's
Grotto and Seleucia Preira, today's Samandag, a small fishing village
which is about 25 kms. from Antioch where Barnabas and Paul set sail for
Cyprus on their first missionary journey. Acts 13 tells how Barnabas
and Paul, arriving from Psidian Antioch, "preached the Word of the Lord
in Perge then went down to Antalya, from whence they took a ship to
Antioch." Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Antakya.
DAY 04: ANTAKYA / SILIFKE (Seleucia
Isauria). Depart Antakya this
morning for Silifke. We will visit Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul, the
Hell and Heaven and Maiden Castle en route to Silifke for dinner and
overnight.
 DAY 05: SILIFKE / KONYA (Iconium).
We
depart Silifke this morning for Konya via Karaman, visiting Derbe and
Lystra en route. We will visit the mausoleum and museum of Mevlana, the
founder of Sufis and Whirling Dervishes upon our arrival. Konya (Iconium
- Acts 14:1-6) is the only presently active Galatian city visited by
Paul. This is a city thriving with Turkish culture. Konya is home to
much of the typical Seljuk architecture. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
DAY 06: KONYA / PAMUKKALE via YALVAC
(Antioch of Pisidia). After
breakfast, we depart to Laodicea, bare ruins marking one of the Seven
Churches of Asia Minor. Laodicea was known as the most irresolute of
the Churches. Hieropolos is site of one of the first Christian churches
and St. Philip's martyrdom in 87 A.D. We visit its churches, theatre,
baths and necropolis. The nearby mineral springs of Pamukkale have
drawn visitors for centuries. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 07: PAMUKKALE / AYVALIK.
Day long tour to Philadelphia (present day Alashehir) and Sardis, once
the capital of Lydia. Both sites are referred to in the Book of
Revelations, with Sardis remaining "one of the most picturesque of any
of the Seven Churches". It was in Sardis that the first known use of
coinage was introduced into the world. We end our tour in the city of
Cannakale.
 DAY 08: CANAKKALE / TROY / PERGAMUM /
IZMIR / KUSADASI.
We continue today through Pergamon where the first Christian was put to
death by the Roman state. We will also see the site of the Homonym
Church as well as the Acropolis, the Asclepion, the Red Basilica and the
church of Pergamon. We continue on to Izmir. In Izmir (Smyrna) a tour
of the city and a visit to the Church of Smyrna. Here was located one
of the seven churches which the Risen Lord addressed the epistles. The
ruins of the Roman agora - the market place - take a visitor back to
apostolic days. Visit the ancient city of Hieropolis, which means holy
city. Continue to Kusadasi where we will overnight.
DAY 09: EPHESUS AND PATMOS. This morning, you will tour
Kusadasi, Turkey and will journey to Ephesus where Paul spent three
years during his ministry. It was to this community that Paul may have
written his Epistle to the Ephesians. Visit the ruins of St. John's
Basilica where early Christian tradition tells us the "disciple whom
Jesus loved" was buried. You will see one of the "Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World," the ruin of the Temple of Diana (Artemis). You will sail
for Patmos for a visit to the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of
the Apocalypse (Revelation).
DAY 10: RHODOS.
The cruise vessel will remain docked here from 07:00 to 19:00. Optional
excursions to the old town of Rhodos and a tour to the picturesque town
of Lindos where the temple of Athena stands on the Acropolis of Lindos.
 DAY 11: HERAKLION (CRETE) / SANTORINI.
The largest of the Greek islands, well-known for its archaeological
sites. Optional excursions to the Palace of Knossos. In the afternoon,
we arrive at Santorini (17:00-21:00). One can reach the white washed
village on top of this volcanic island either by donkey or by cable car.
DAY 12: PIRAEUS. End of cruise, return to
Piraeus. Continue on with your Athens city tour. Visit the Agora where
Paul entered into discussions and "preached unto them Jesus and the
resurrections". Mars Hill is next on the tour, this is where Paul was
brought before the council so that they may hear more of the doctrine he
preached. P.M. Board our bus for Ancient Corinth, taking the coastal
road along the Saronic Gulf, we follow fairly the same route that the
apostle took and then on to Ancient Corinth. Visit and return to Athens
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13: ATHENS. The end of a marvelous journey.
You will disembark after breakfast and be transferred to the airport for
you return flight home. |
