Day by Day Travel Itinerary

• Day 01 Thu . Apr . 04

  DEPARTURE

  Today we depart New Orleans on our overnight international flight to Istanbul, with a connection in Washington Dulles and Frankfurt.

• Day 02 Fri . Apr . 05

  ARRIVAL ISTANBU

  Welcome to Turkey, a land of minarets, ancient civilizations, and modern bustling cities! Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to old town. This afternoon we’ll enjoy a private ferry which will cross the Bosphorus visiting both Europe and Asia with stops en route to take photos of the natural beauty, 15th-century Rumelihisan Fortress, Summer Palaces, and the Old Wooden Houses(Yalis). Our Bosphorus cruise will end close to the Black Sea. We will then be escorted to our hotel for two overnights.

• Day 03 Sat . Apr . 06

  ISTANBUL

  Our morning sightseeing begins with the most impressive building of old Constantinople, the domed basilica St. Sophia. Considered as one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and the fourth largest church in the world. This great edifice was the capital of the Christian church for nearly 1,000 years. Nearby is the ancient sports Hippodrome - five times the length of an American football field. Just imagine the great chariot races! At our next stop we take off our shoes to visit the Blue Mosque, magnificent with its six minarets. Topkapi Palace, on a hill overlooking the city and the Bosphorous, was the last residence o f t h e O t t o m a n Sultans. This afternoon we visit the famous Grand Covered Bazaar, a Mecca for shoppers and a kaleidoscope of Turkish tradition. Nearly 4,000 shops sell everything from Turkish carpets, furniture, kilims (Turkish rugs which are woven rather than tied) and hand-tooled leather goods.

• Day 04 Sun . Apr . 07

  ISTANBUL / CANAKKALE

  Today we journey to Canakkale, a bustling ferry crossing the Dardanelles Strait, connecting Asia and Europe. Further south is the village of Tevfikiye and the ruins of Troas, where Paul met Luke, the physician and historian, who joined the missionary party and chronicled the travels of Paul and others as they carried the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles. Here on the western coast of modern Turkey, Paul heard the call of a man, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9). Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

• Day 05 Mon . Apr . 08

  CANAKKALE / PERGAMON / KUSADASI

  An early morning departure takes us to the northernmost of the churches in John’s apocalyptic vision. High above the fertile farmland of Aeolia are the well-preserved ruins of Pergamum, the city that rivaled Athens and Alexandria as a cultural center in its day. The impressive ruins of Pergamum include an acropolis with palaces, gymnasiums, temples, and the world’s steepest amphitheater, an Aesculapium (ancient medical center) and a now-empty library (it once held 200,000 volumes). Note the familiar symbol of medicine on the base of the Serpent Altar; Pergamum was also the home of early medical theoretician Galen, whose teachings held sway for 1,500 years. Unfortunately, the most spectacular t r e a s u r e s f ro m Pergamum can’t be seen here - they’re at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin G e r m a n y. We continue to Kusadasi for dinner and one overnight at our hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea.

• Day 06 Tue . Apr . 09

  KUSADASI / CRUISE / PATMOS

  Early this morning we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her later days. Next is Ephesus, dominated by the great 24,000-seat amphitheater, cited in Acts as the place of the apostles’ courageous witness. What a privelege to walk these ancient streets in the footsteps of New Testament writers Paul and John! Excavations at Ephesus are ongoing...each season more can be seen of the city where Paul invested two years of his ministry. Archaeologists still digging at the site have reconstructed much of it, including the beautiful twostory Library of Celsus, The Temple of Hadrian, and the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the temple once had 129 columns and was the size of a football field). We continue to the Kusadasi pier to embark on our cruise at 12:00 pm. We will stop at Patmos where the exiled St John received the Revelation which f o r m s t h e l a s t book of the New Testament. Included is an excursion to the Monastery which is of the 11th Century and to the Grotto of Revelation

• Day 07 Wed . Apr . 10

  CRUISING / RHODES

  We will dock this morning at Rhodes, the beautiful Island of Roses which has a rich and varied history. We will spend the entire day, until 6:00 p.m.on this beautiful island which is rich in history. We will enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere. An optional tour is offered to visit the Temple of Athena on the rocky Acropolis of Lindos with the Aegean just beneath your feet. The Ottoman Turks occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years leaving mosques, minarets and a Turkish bath to mark their presence.

• Day 08 Thu . Apr . 11

  CRUISING / HERAKLION / SANTORINI

  This morning we will wake up at Crete, the biggest island in Greece. We can take part in the excursion to the ancient Minoan civilization and visits of Knossos Palace and the Museum of Heraklion. Then we will continue to Santorini, the famous colorful volcanic island. We may take the donkey ride up the steep hill to the village or use the cable car.

• Day 09 Fri . Apr . 12

  DISEMBARK CRUISE / ATHENS

  This morning our ship will reach its final destination-Athens. Welcome to the capital of Greece! We will disembark the ship and meet our guide and bus to start our tour to Athens with its famous Acropolis with visits to the Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Afterwards we take a panoramic tour to the rest of the sites of Athens: the Athens National Museum & Library; the University and t h e P a r l i a m e n t House. We’ll have some time this afternoon to explore the ancient area of Plaka, Athens’ oldest n e i g h b o r h o o d . Plaka’s charming stone-paved streets, colorful houses, and beautiful little gardens create a delightful atmosphere. Two overnights in ancient Athens.

• Day 10 Sat . Apr . 13

  CORINTH / MYCENAE / ATHENS

  Today we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the beautiful Peloponnesian Gulf and across the Corinthian Canal to Corinth. In ancient times it was the chief commercial center of Greece. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. Afterwards we will continue to visit Mycenae where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate -- Europe’s o l d e s t k n o w n monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and t h e i m p r e s s i v e fortifications of the Citadel. Return to Athens for dinner and our final overnight.

• Day 11 Sun . Apr . 14

  DEPATURE

  Today we will say goodbye to Greece holding our unforgettable memories home.