Paul’s Journey In Greece & Turkey (with cruise)

DAY 8— RHODES

Arrive in Rhodes early this morning. Leaving the harbor, (optional) we will drive along the picturesque eastern coastline, scattered with white-washed villages, to Lindos, which is guarded by huge medieval walls constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 13th Century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a precipice 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 Ephesus. We will proceed up the Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico to the Temple of Athena — among the most important temples of the Ancient Greek World. After having visited the Acropolis, return to Rhodes city. Enjoy a panoramic drive in the new part of the city, stop for a view of the walled old town from Mt. Smith and then see the ruins of ancient Rhodes town, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. The return is directly to the port and the ship for lunch. Overnight on board our cruise ship..

DAY 9— PATMOS • EPHESUS • KUSADASI • PAMUKKALE

This morning we take a shore excursion to Patmos (optional). Take a short journey to the village of Choara, where the Monastery of St. John is located, which was built 900 years ago and is rich in chapels and treasures. Outstanding are the frescoes in the church and the treasures of the museum. Afterwards visit the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, and see the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow and the ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of Revelation. Look at the three-fold crack made by the Voice of God to emphasize the honor of the Trinity. This afternoon, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, where our cruise will come to an end. After disembarkation, we will drive through the colorful town of Kusadasi and proceed to the Magnesian Gate, entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. After seeing the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trojan, the steam- heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, you will reach the Library of Celsus, adorned with its columns and statues, considered one of the most magnificent ruins in the world. The Great Theater, where St. Paul preached, is the largest theater in antiquity, with a capacity of 24,000 people. At the end of the tour, your motorcoach will be waiting to take you to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight in our hotel.

DAY 10 — PAMUKKALE • PHILADELPHIA • SARDIS • IZMIR

This morning we take a brief tour of Pamukkale, where we visit the Roman spa of Hierapolis. We drive to Laodicea (Rev. 14) to see the remains of one of the Seven Churches. Laodicea church was a branch of Ephesus, as were the churches of Hierapolis and Colossea. Proceed to the Necropolis, the Temple of Apollo and the Theater and Roman baths. Then we depart Pamukkale and head for Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love, founded by Attalus II, and Sardis, the capital of ancient kingdom of Lydia, with its gymnasium and marble paved synagogue, where King Croesus ruled. Philadelphia and Sardis are two of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We end the day in Izmir (ancient Smyrna) site of one of the Seven Churches.

DAY 11— IZMIR • PERGAMUM • CANAKKALE

Begin the day with a drive to and a tour of Pergamum, another one of the Seven Churches and capital of a large and powerful pre-Roman kingdom. It is here that the first Christian was put to death by the Roman state. Visit the Church of Pergamum, the Homonym Church and the Acropolis with its pagan temples including the Altar of Zeus, which is mentioned as the “Throne of Satan” in the Book of Revelation. We will also visit the health center of Asclepion, the Agora and theater. Later drive to Akhisar, Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches. The church of Thyatira had tolerated the works of Jezebel. Continue on to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 12— CANAKKALE • TROY • ISTANBUL

Today we visit the ancient city of Troy only rediscovered by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1873, with its 4000 year old history recalling the epic struggle of the Iliad. Later this morning we cross the Dardanelles by ferry boat and drive through the battle grounds of Gallipoli. Continue to Istanbul. Once called Byzantium in the 7th Century B.C., the city was renamed Constantinople in 326 A.D. by Constantine the Great when he moved the capital of the Roman Empire here. Istanbul received its current name from Mehmet the Conqueror, who captured the city and ended the Byzantine Empire in 1453. Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 13— ISTANBUL

This morning we visit the Blue Mosque which was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet in 1603. Exceptional in many ways, the Blue Mosque also sits opposite the site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Continue with a visit to the Topkapi Palace Museum. Once home to the Ottoman Sultans, the Topkapi Palace was strategically located overlooking the Bosporus. Visit the Treasury containing jewel encrusted thrones, the world’s largest emerald, and the famous Topkapi Dagger. From here we will see the Hagia Sophia Church, which was built by the Emperor Justinian of the Byzantine Empire. The Hagia Sophia was completed in 537 A.D. and ruled as the greatest Christian Church in the world for more than 1000 years until it was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans, who used it as a model for the construction of all their later mosques. We will take the time to explore the wide-ranging history of this amazing building, now a museum. Afternoon is at leisure to enjoy shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.