Explore TURKEY - GREECE with PATMOS

 Assemble at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport at least 3 hours before your flight’s depature time. Flight details TBA. Flight timings subject to change, please check flight timings on day of departure.

With a connecting flight in Istanbul, arrive in Thessaloniki in the morning. Meet our local representative and start tour to Veria – Beroia, Paul’s Bema, walk the Jewish quarter. Lunch in Veria. Continue tour of Thessaloniki, the places Paul lived and preached. Transfer and check into hotel after 2pm. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

After breakfast, start tour to Philippi. Stop near the harbor of Kavala (biblical Neapolis), St. Paul’s gateway to Europe – a busy port with striking castle and an imposing aqueduct built by Suleyman the Magnificent. See the Greek Orthodox seaside church (Hagia Sofia) that marks Paul’s landing spot.

Lunch at Restaurant.

 Drive to Philippi – As a prosperous Roman colony, Philippi had a spacious forum and Agora and a theater, which was also a gladiator arena. Nearby there is a crypt, which has been honored since the fifth century as the place of St. Paul’s first imprisonment, where Paul and Silas sang hymns and an earthquake set them free. Philippi is the place where the Apostle Paul arrived on the mainland of Europe in response to the vision of a Macedonian he saw at Troas. Here in Philippi St. Paul first preached the Gospel in Europe. Visit Lydia Springs, the Baptismal Site. Outside the ancient city, the river Gangites still flows through quiet countryside, where St. Paul addressed his first European congregations and the businesswoman, Lydia – a “seller of purple,” who was the first to be baptized. There is a fine chapel commemorating this event. Later, drive on to the beautiful seaside town of Alexandropoulos for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, cross the Greek/Turkish borders and drive into Istanbul, Turkey (formerly called Constantinople).

After crossing the Turkish border, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Tekirdag.

 Start exploring the city that connects the East and the West; Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque complex. Built during Byzantine era, the grand church Hagia Sophia were turned into a mosque complex after Istanbul’s conquest, which was eventually turned into a museum by the time the modern Turkish Republic was founded. Rebuilt three times at the same site, Hagia Sophia houses the museum with an outstanding mosaic collection. Of the original ceiling mosaics from the 6th century, the ones with plant and geometric.

Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616 in the square carrying his name in I?stanbul. The architect is Sedefhar Mehmet Ag?a. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. The mosque is 64 x 72 m in dimensions. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque. Due to its beautiful blue, green and white tiling it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans.

The Ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stands in the area that is now in front of the Blue Mosque, and now part of Sultanahmet. Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Remains of the curved end of the Hippodrome wall can be seen on the southwest side of the three.

Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast - check out from hotel and proceed continuation of tour in Istanbul.

Egyptian or Spice Market is a large covered shopping complex in Istanbul's Emino?nu? neighborhood. It is part of the New Mosque building complex. It was built in 1660 to help finance the mosque's construction and its maintenance.

Istiklal Street is a cobblestone one, which started from near Galata Tower to Taksim Square. There are many restaurants, cafes, shops and mall. Many of the city's movie theaters are also located here.

 Pierre Loti one of Istanbul's best views of the Golden Horn up on this hilltop. Named after the French writer Pierre Loti who wrote his novels in this place. This hill boasts a sweeping observation deck and a cafe? overlooking the riverfront which serves snacks and Turkish coffee.

Lunch at Restaurant.

Cross Dardanelles and drive to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

 After breakfast, visit ancient Troas (Troy), the perfect place to brush up on Homer’s Trojan War and Biblical Troas where Paul had the Vision. Drive to the ancient city of Pergamum. Ancient riches of the city include many architectural structures such as a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, revered as the protector of the city. The first settlements in Pergamon are known to date back as early as 3000 BC. Because of its lucky location at the heart of commercial and cultural activity, the ancient city never fell from prosperity. Proceed to see the Red Basilica which housed the 1st Century Christian Church referred to by John in revelation. Visit the Acropolis of Pergamum designed to imitate the one in Athens and the Asclepeion Temple once dedicated to the Greek god of healing. Revelation 2:12-17 records the letter written to the Christian church of Pergamum; verse 13 of this passage speaks of “Satan’s seat” being here (Pergamum was a center of idolatry). Paul was not allowed to preach here.

Lunch on tour.

Proceed to Smyrna, Izmir for dinner and overnight.

 After breakfast, proceed for a short tour of Smyrna, see St Polycarp. Proceed to visit Thyatira; was once a busy trading center and famous in dyeing of purple clothes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1:11; 2: 18-29). Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. The massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium, and the synagogue is very impressive. Then visit the site of Philadelphia, also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcome that He would write upon them “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem.” (Rev.3: 12).

 Lunch on tour.

Drive to Kusadasi.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

 After breakfast, visit Ephesus, the most interesting archeological site in Turkey. There is a great theater on slopes of Mt. Pion, to the north of the theater one can see the decorated arch, the entrance to the stadium. A wide street called the Arcadian Way stretched from the base of the theater lined with statues, porticos and public buildings. Just north of the Arcadian way is the Church of the Virgin Mary. Another street stretches from the theater south to the library of Celsus. To the west of the library are stairs, the tumbled columns, and the exquisite decorations of the temple of Serapis. When Paul was returning from Corinth to Ephesus, he talked in a synagogue where he was asked to stay longer in Ephesus, and promised, "I shall come back to you if it's God's will." It is believed that John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus, and she lived out her days on a hilltop south of the city. The House of Mary is now visited by many pilgrims each year coming to see and pray in this ancient spot of worship. Last visit of the day is to the Basilica of St. John (St. Jean Aniti) which was a great church in Ephesus constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation).

Lunch on tour.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

 After breakfast, board the cruise ship. Ship departs by noon.

In the afternoon, arrive on the island of Patmos; considered a holy island for the Christian religion. It was here in Patmos where John the Divine, while in exile, wrote the Apocalyptic Revelations, which constitute the last part of the New Testament.

Ship arrives in Patmos at 4:30pm. Meet with the guide and bus off the ship for the included shore excursion on Patmos Island.

(INCLUDED Tour PAT 01): Religious visit of St. John’s Monastery – Grotto of Apocalypse.

The tour takes you to the monastery of St. John, which keeps its character of a medieval fortress. Inside the walls you will be able to admire the Byzantine wealth of the Christian Orthodox religion while from its high ground you will have the most stunning panoramic view of the luminous sea. After the visit of St. John Monastery, proceed to the Grotto– the Holy Cave of Apocalypse where St John is said to have had the vision of fire and brimstone and dictated the book of Revelation.

Return to the Port of Patmos – free time. Ship departs at 9:30pm.

Meals on board cruise ship. Overnight onboard ship.

After breakfast on board the cruise ship, enjoy the port of Rhodes on your own. Ship arrives at 7am and departs at 6pm. (Optional tours are available for purchase as per your interest onboard the ship. See recommendations below)

Recommended tours are as follows:

(Tour code RHO-01 - Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights) OR

(Tour code RHO-02 - Philerimos church and the Palace of the Knights)

The Acropolis of Lindos is a fortified citadel and archaeological site in the village of Lindos on Rhodes Island, Greece. It's located on a 116-meter cliff above sea level and overlooks the town and Aegean Sea. The site is known for its rich history, dating back to the 10th century BC, and features a mix of architectural styles. It is a Climb of 535-foot hill to the Acropolis for views of the village and bay. The Acropolis is home to the ruins of a Byzantine fort, a Greek temple, and the Temple of Athena Lindia, which dates back to the 6th century BC. You might also be able to see the Bay of St. Paul, where it''s said that St. Paul washed ashore during a storm and brought Christianity to the island. The Acropolis was fortified by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Knights of St John, and Ottomans, making it difficult to excavate and interpret.

Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship.

After breakfast on the ship, enjoy your first stop of the day at Crete on your own. Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Ship arrives in Crete at 7am and departs from port at 12pm. (Optional tour to Heraklion available for purchase)

Enjoy your second port of the day in Santorini! This afternoon, visit the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Ship arrives in Santorini at 4:30 pm & departs from the port at 09:30 pm. Enjoy the included shore excursion of Oia village.

(INCLUDED Tour SAN-01: Spectacular Oia village perched on the Caldera rim.)

The town of Thira where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible by foot path, cable-car or mule. tour of sailing around an active volcano crater and swimming in the water heated by hot springs or enjoy this lovely island on foot.

Return to the ship for meals and overnight onboard ship.

 After breakfast, disembark the cruise ship and you will enjoy a city tour of Athens – the birthplace of democracy. See Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the University, the Academie and the National Library. Driving down Herodes Atticus Street and the Avzones in their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympia Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. On the Acropolis mount, you will visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylee, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the Parthenon – the monument that “puts order in the mind” and “is harmony between material and spirit”.

Lunch on tour.

 In the afternoon, we will visit Corinth where St. Paul arrived in A.D. 50-51 to preach Christianity. Stop at the archeological site housing many statues and artefacts. The site includes the Temple of Apollo; the Roman Agora; the Bema Courthouse, where his enemies brought the Apostle before Gallio; the pavement inscription of Erastus; the Roman Lechaion Road and the lower Fountain of Peirene. It was in Corinth that St. Paul wrote First Thessalonians and also, most likely, his Epistle to the Romans. Also, it was here that Paul encountered a multiple of problems in the congregation that seem to continue in today’s churches.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Athens.

Friday , After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Athens International Airport for your flight back home. Flight details TBA.

Arrive in New York and return home with wonderful memories from your trip!