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DAY 01: USA/EUROPE.
Depart U.S.A. for our flight to Europe.
DAY 02: ISTANBUL.
Arrival Istanbul, meet and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and
overnight.
DAY
03: ISTANBUL.
Istanbul city tour: visit the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman
Sultans. See the Treasury, containing Jewel encrusted thrones, the
world's largest emerald and the famous Topkapi dagger. Continue to St.
Sophia, the oldest Christian basilica where the ecumenical councils were
held. St. Sophia was conceived by Konstantin and built by
Justinian.
Continue to see the Hippodrome of old Constantinople and the legendary
Blue Mosque; six minarets and middle dome of 109 feet. The finale to
our tour will be a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth over 4,000
shops. Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 04: ISTANBUL / CANAKKALE / TROY.
After breakfast depart Istanbul by car ferry for Bardirma and then drive
to Canakkale by the road along the Straits of the Dardanelles. Continue
through the ancient city of Troy, with its 4,000-year old history which
recalls the epic struggle of the Iliad. Overnight in the area of Troy.
DAY 05: TROY /
PERGAMUM / IZMIR.
Drive to Pergamum where the first Christian was put to death by the
Roman state. Visit the site of the Homonym Church as well as the
Acropolis, the Asclepion, the Red Basilica and the church of Pergamum.
We continue on to Izmir, dinner and overnight.
 DAY
06: IZMIR / HIERAPOLIS / KUSADASI.
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 epistles. Polycarp, the noted bishop of the church of Smyrna,
was martyred here about 169 AD. The ruins of the Roman agora - the
market place - takes a visitor back to apostolic days. Visit the
ancient city of Hierapolis, which means holy city. Continue to Kusadasi
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 07: EPHESSOS / CRUISE.
Visit Ancient Ephessos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
It was here that the special miracles were wrought by the hands of
Paul. The apostle John was one of the early leaders of the church of
Ephessos. It is believed he brought Mary , the mother of Jesus, here.
On Mount Setimisses near Ephessos, one is shown a beautiful little
chapel built on what some believe was the home where Mary spent her last
days. Embark the cruise vessel and sail for Patmos. An optional tour
takes us to the monastery of St. John and the Grotto where John wrote
the book of revelations while on exile by the Roman State.
 DAY
08: CRUISE.
Rhodos Island - enjoy a full day on this lovely island. Optional tours
will take you to visit the Medieval town built by the Crusading Knights
of St. John and the village of Lindos; this enchanting site is the most
important of the three great cities of ancient times is guarded by
Medieval walls. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos 400 feet
above the sea. From the Acropolis there are breathtaking views of the
great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay where the Apostle
cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephessos.
DAY 09: CRUISE.
Heraklion (Crete) - Optional visit to the Palace of Knossos, once the
capital city of the prehistoric Minoan civilization. Knossos, with its
hundreds of apartments and intricate passageways, is thought to be the
basis for the original Labyrinth housing the mythological Minotaur. Next
we visit Santorini - one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands.
Optional visit to Acrotiri. Often compared to Pompeii, Acrotiri boasts
a much earlier age and preserves amazing ruins dating from the second
millennium B.C. See beautiful pottery, the two and three story houses,
once decorated with renowned wall paintings, staircases and a great
variety of rooms; the roads and the squares of a city 3,500 years old.
DAY 10: CRUISE / PIRAEUS / ATHENS.
This morning we return to Piraeus, Athens. You will be met at port and
continue for the tour of Athens city as well as Ancient Corinth. We
start our tour at the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Agora and Mars Hill
where Paul preached his famous sermon. We continue to see the most
significant sites of Athens including the House of Parliament, Tomb of
the unknown soldier, the Royal Palace, the stadium, and the national
archaeological museum housing numerous treasures. In the afternoon
visit Ancient Corinth. On the way a short stop at the Corinth Canal,
then proceed to Old Corinth; the scene of Paul's arraignment before
Gallio at the Bema. You will see the famous Temple of Apollo, dating
from the 6th century B.C. The remains of the Old City include a large
portion of the Ancient Market place (Agora) approached by the best
preserved Roman Road. The Fountain of Pirene and Gauke give an
excellent idea of water works of the best Greek period. Return to
Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: ATHENS / ROME.
Today is a free day at leisure for shopping and activities of your own.
Meet back at the hotel for our transfer to the evening ferry to Rome,
Italy. Dinner and overnight aboard ferry.
 DAY
12: ROME. This morning after we disembark the ferry, we will visit
to the Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St.
Peter's Square, Church of St. Peter, Basilica of St. Paul, the ancient
Appian Way and the catacombs of St. Caliztus. Afternoon sightseeing
will include Moses' Fountain, Quirinale Palace, Pantheon, Roman Forum,
Arch of Titus, the Coliseum - site of early Christian martyrdom - and
Mamertine Prison, possibly the final place of confinement of the Apostle
Paul before his execution. Continue to our hotel for overnight. Dinner
is on your own to experience the flavors of Rome.
DAY 13: ROME. After a hearty
breakfast we will have a half day tour of Rome. The afternoon is at
leisure for activities of your own. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14: ROME / NORTH AMERICA.
This morning we
transfer to the airport for our return trip home – the end of an
unforgettable tour. |
