16 Days Grand Tour of Greece & Turkey

Arrival in Athens , transfer to hotel. Overnight (Dinner)

Visit the city of Athens. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill. The Agora , the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace , Plaka (Breakfast and Dinner)  

Leave Athens by motor coach, stop for a rest and photos at the Corinth Canal and then travel to the ancient city of Corinth. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Vima and the Temples. Explore the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place, where Paul preached understanding and love (I & II Corinthians). Check the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to Mycenae and see Lion's Gate, the Tomb of Agamennon and many other sites before returning to Athens. (Breakfast and Dinner)  

Tour of Delphi today. Visit the ancient sanctuary of Apollo and the museum where we will marvel the statue of the Charioteer, a bronze statue of detailed art (even the eyelashes are visible) . Return to Athens (Breakfast and Dinner) 

Leave Athens this morning heading north towards Meteora. On the way there we will travel through Thermopylae. Late in the  afternoon we will see the world famous Byzantine monasteries of Meteora.Overnight in Kalamabaka. (Breakfast and Dinner) 

Travel towards Thessaloniki, the "capital of the North". A stop will be made in Veria to view the Bemaof St Paul's  surrounded by newly placed mosaics and the . Visit King Phillip's (Alexander's father) tomb in Vergina. In Thessaloniki we will marvel The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. View the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch.Overnight in Thessalonica, Macedonia (Breakfast and Dinner)  

We begin the day by following the massive Byzantine walls of the citadel and have a panoramic view of the city. Next, we will visit Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a very charming harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. Neapolis.  Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! The Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. View the baptismal site. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. Return to Kavala Overnight. (Breakfast and Dinner)  

We set off traveling east to Turkey. Meet with our Turkish Tour guide and the coach at Ipsala Border Gate on the Turkish side . After a short drive (1,5 hrs) we arrive to Gallipoli.Visit the battle fields of WWI at Gallipoli : visit Anzac Cove , Nek , Conk Bair , Lone Pine and 57.th regiment memorial as well as the war museum. Views of the bunkers on the hillside and the ocean going vessels give clear understanding to the commentary of the British major losses and World War I defeat in the Dardanelles Strait. Then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight. Dinner and overnight at the hotel  

Ancient Troy. Picture taken from the top of the Trojan Horse. We pass by the area known as Troas, Paul later spent a week in Troas preaching here and Eutychus was resurrected (Acts 20:6-12). Continuing south, once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches, the church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library. We arrive in Izmir this evening for dinner and overnight. .(Breakfast and Dinner)

We'll see Polycarp's Church and the ancient agora. A stop will be made in Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and period columns. Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Philadelphia was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation, yet today, not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of Alasehir. Arrive in Pamukkale.(Breakfast and Dinner)

Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City," was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was tortured in Hierapolis.  (Rev 3:14-22) This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). Colossae is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today. Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. We head west towards the coast with overnight in the port city of Kusdasi. (Breakfast and Dinner)

We start our visits by the Museum of Ephesus. This afternoon we tour Ephesus. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city where we view the Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis, theatre, colorful mosaics, a panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area including a wealth of church history and cultural insight. Visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast and Dinner)

After breakfast we drive to Bursa which was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire. Upon arrival visit the Great Mosque, Silk Bazaar and the famous Green Tomb. Overnight in Bursa. (Breakfast and Dinner)

After breakfast we drive to St Sophia. Continue to rest of Istanbul and Marmara Sea. Dinner and Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast and Dinner)

This morning we will visit the fascinating Topkapi Palace housing the many priceless treasures and colorful stories of Ottoman Sultans. Visit the famous Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Church. Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. Overnight in Istanbul.(Breakfast and Dinner)

breakfast and transfer to airport (Istanbul) -end of tour