Tour Greece & Turkey in the Steps of Paul
Tour Greece & Turkey in the Steps of Paul
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
- Roundtrip airfare from a city of your choice from the list below
- First Class Hotels, Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe, Air-Conditioned Motor Coaches
- Visits to Sites Mentioned Below
- Visit the 7 Churches of Revelation
- Comprehensive Sightseeing per the Itinerary
- Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinners at Hotels Daily
- Professional Tour Guides
- Gratuities to Guide, Driver and Restaurant Staff
- Airport Taxes & Airline Fuel Surcharges
Our past and present travelers know the quality of tours we deliver. Friendship Tours is America’s leading Christian tour company since 1981.
We are offering this “high quality & all inclusive” Christian tour of Greece & Turkey at extremely low rates. There are no additional expenses other than your lunches and any gifts you buy. Rates include airfare, 11 hotel nights, most meals, gratuities and much more.
We will print your custom brochures in color. With your name and your church name.
Pick a date. Any date from below, and plan your own group for your church. Get your own private bus and you choose the dates with 30 or more paid passengers.
Watch the video below and hear what people are saying about our Greece & Turkey Tour
Journeys of Paul through Greece & Turkey Daily Itinerary:
Day 1 – USA • ATHENS
Depart from the USA on our flight to Athens. Meals and overnight on board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
Day 2 – ATHENS
Arrive at Athens where we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight at the Imperial Hotel.
Day 3 – ATHENS CITY TOUR
Morning tour of the city, visiting the legendary Acropolis. See the chief jewel of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Wingless Victory, the Propylaea and the Erechtheum with its peerless Porch of Maidens. Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where Paul made his famous ‘MEN OF ATHENS’ speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. Driving through the city you will see the National Library, the Presidential Palace, the Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and House of Parliament. Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 4 – ATHENS • CORINTH
Morning drive to Ancient Corinth, which was the most beautiful city of Roman Greece. Visit the Doric style temple of Apollo, the market place, the fountain of Pirene, the Bema of Paul and the Agora,where Paul preached. We will also see Acrocorinth and Kehrees. Return to Athens. Remainder of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 5 – ATHENS • THESSALONIKI • VERIA
This morning we transfer to Athens airport for a short flight to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Travel to Kavala. En route we will visit Veria, Continue on to Kavala for dinner and overnight.
“Friendship Tours offers a stellar tour along with a fantastic price! The guides are always well informed and very professional. They work with the group to assure the best possible tour experience. The coaches are modern and clean and the hotels offer exceptional service. I could not recommend them more highly.”
Day 6 – GREEK-TURKISH BORDER • CANAKKALE
“And from there we went to Philippi which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia…” (Acts16: 12-18.) Our full day excursion will take us overland along the ancient route of Paul through mountain passes and plains to Amphipolis for a short stop to view the ancient Lion statue. Continue to Ancient Philippi where we find two early Christian basilicas, traces of the Egnatian Way, the Roman Forum, the citadel and the ancient theater. It is also here that Paul first preached the Gospel to Europe. Dinner and overnight in Kavala at the Classical Egnatia Hotel. Drive to the Greek-Turkish Border. After passport formalities, board our Turkish motorcoach. Drive through the First World War Battlefields of Gallipoli and cross by ferry to the Asia Minor side. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.
Day 7 – CANAKKLE • TROY • PERGAMUM • IZMIR
We continue today through the ancient city of Troy, with its 4000 year old history recalling the epic struggle of the Iliad and then through Pergamom where the first Christian was put to death by the Roman state. We will also see the Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus (Throne of Satan), the Asclepion and the Red Basilica. See the Church of Pergamom. Dinner and overnight in Izmir .
Day 8 – IZMIR • SARDIS
In Izmir (Smyrna) enjoy a tour of the city and a visit to the Church of Smyrna. Also located in Smyrna is one of the Seven Churches which had Risen Lord addressed epistles. Drive to Sardis, site of another of the Churches of Revelations. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale .
Day 9 – PAMUKKALE • HIERAPOLIS
In the morning we will visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the natural pools. Drive to Laodicea, where John called its people ‘lukewarm’ and also one of the Seven Churches. Visit Colossae. It’s biblical significance lies in the fact that the book of Colossians was addressed to the church here (Col 1:2) and that Philemon lived in this city. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 10 – PAMUKKALE • KUSADASI
Drive to Aphrodisias. In the 5th century the temple of Aphrodite was turned into a Christian basilica. The new basilica was 60 x 28 m in size, much larger than the pagan temple it replaced. The church had an apse and a synthronon (a stepped bank of clergy benches) at the east end, and a pair of nartheces at the west fronted by a colonnaded courtyard or atrium. From a Middle Byzantine renovation are parts of a marble floor and wall paintings running under the synthronon that depict Christ and various saints. Visit Didyma, located in the southwest part of modern Turkey, was an important religious site of ancient Ionia. It was home to a large temple dedicated to Apollo, called the Didymaion. Our last visit is the town of Priene. Later we drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
“Loved every part of my trip!! Our tour guide Deena made the trip!! I have no idea how it could be nearly as great without her! she was insanely knowledgeable, and fit in with the group so well! I have to say I am going to miss her! I completely reccomend!”
Day 11 – KUSADASI • IZMIR • ISTANBUL
Morning drive through the meandering Valley of Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and our 7th Church of Revelation. 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 Ephesus. It is believed he brought Mary, the mother of Jesus, here. We will visit the Basilica of St. John and the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus. Later visit the Museum of Ephesus. Transfer to the Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul, ancient Constantinople. This city of Constantine became the “Second Rome” in the fourth century and Ecumenical Councils held here played an important role in the first thousand years of the Christian Church. Eastern Orthodoxy and Islam are also a significant part of the city’s history. Istanbul was once referred to as the “Earth’s Pearl.” It is still a beautiful city and exudes an old world elegance. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12 – ISTANBUL CITY
This Morning we visit the Blue Mosque which was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet in 1603. Exceptional in many ways, the Blue Mosque is famous for the finely glazed blue tiles adorn the interior. It also sits opposite the site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which we will see. Continue with a visit to the Topkapi Palace Museum. Once home to the Ottoman Sultans, the Topkapi Palace was strategically located overlooking the Bosporus. 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, conquering 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. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13 – ISTANBUL • USA
Early morning transfer to the airport for our flight home. Our guide will assist with check in formalities.
“Our guide has been amazing. He has brought so much color to our tour. We have seen so many sites that I have only read about and now have pictures. I am still in awe of the majesty of this land.”
SPECIAL RATES
Our rates below are all inclusive and include a 20% bundle savings. All passengers pay for are their lunches & souvenirs. There are no hidden charges!
| 2023 DATES | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13-25 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| Mar 6-18 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| Mar 20-Apr 1 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| Apr 10-22 | $3929 | $3997 | $4067 |
| Apr 17-29 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| May 8-20 | $3998 | $4100 | $4181 |
| June 5-17 | $4167 | $4286 | $4272 |
| June 13-25 | $4167 | $4286 | $4272 |
| Jul 11-23 | $4167 | $4286 | $4272 |
| Jul 18-30 | $4167 | $4286 | $4272 |
| Aug 8-20 | $4289 | $4378 | $4478 |
| Aug 15-27 | $4289 | $4378 | $4478 |
| Sep 5-17 | $3998 | $4100 | $4181 |
| Sep 12-24 | $3998 | $4100 | $4181 |
| Oct 3-15 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| Oct 17-29 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
| Nov 7-19 | $3850 | $3900 | $3998 |
Note: All above rates are based in U.S Dollars
*East – New York, Philadelphia, Newark, Boston, Washington D.C.
*Central – Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Chicago
*West – Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego
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CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR FROM YOUR GATEWAY CITY
If you have a group of 20 or more we will create a custom tour for you with an itinerary of your choosing including your own private motor coach. We will price your tour from your gateway city. Then we will print a custom brochure personalized to your group. We will offer our suggestions to complement your ideas in order to achieve the best possible program for your group. We are happy to design any program you like. Flexibility is part of our service to you.
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Questions to consider when selecting your Tour Company
RESEARCH IS KEY TO SELECTING THE RIGHT COMPANY
Please read this carefully before you sign up with any tour company
What is the Tour Company’s main focus?
Several vacation tour companies have attempted to make inroads into the Christian
Pilgrimage market. Friendship Tours only specializes in Christian pilgrimages. We do not sell vacation packages to other countries. Christian Pilgrimages is all we do and we do it well!
What knowledge does the company have about their guides?
The owners of Friendship Tours personally screen and select all of our guides. We choose guides who are flexible and responsive to the needs of our group leaders. Our guides are well informed with a broad base of knowledge in both the Old and New Testament. Our guides make us successful and this is why our group leaders re-book year after year with us.
How long has the company been around?
After 9/11 several companies avoided refunding churches the tour payments and closed shop only to re-open under a different name. Friendship Tours has been in business since 1982 and has refunded all travelers their money. Every client was cared for after 9/11. This level of service and trust is important in the ever-changing world we live in.
Are the company owners Christian?
Friendship Tours is a Christian Company. We consider our work to be the work of God on behalf of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We understand Christian Pilgrimage and we make every effort to help you in planning a meaningful, memorable and faithful experience.
What financial protection does the company offer?
Friendship Tours carries high limits of liability insurance that protects the churches that work with us. We adhere to all US government over sight with regard to Financial regulations. We have strict company policies prohibiting the commingling of client deposits. This is a critical component of our integrity. During difficult times some companies will use customer deposits to survive and run out of funds to service their group commitments. Friendship Tours is a member of the Better Business Bureau with an “A” rating. Friendship Tours has the best buying power due to our long-standing professional relations with all international airlines offering us the lowest airfares with the best connections. Our buying power for ground services is reflected in the prices we are able to offer. Very few
Companies are able to do what we do. How do we do it? Very simple. As a wholesale Tour Operator, we work on large volume of passengers and pass the savings on to our clients. This is our mission. This is a ministry entrusted to us by God. At every turn we will seek to be faithful to you and our mission. Our
Tagline says it all. “We build lasting relations. One client at a time.”
