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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL GREECE & TURKEY TOUR - 14 nights/16 days, arrive any day |
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3 nts in Athens
1 nt Kalambaka
2 nights in Thessaloniki
1 night in Kavala
1 nt in Canakkale
3 nights in Izmir
3 nts in Istanbul
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Prices are on request.
This tour is available for parties of any size but is most cost effective for groups of 15 or more. |
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* Private tour
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Depart the U.S.
Upon arrival in Athens, you will be met by a Ya’lla Tours USA representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Begin your tour of Athens by ascending to the Acropolis and the full splendor of the 5th century B.C. Athens. See the Propylaria (Gateway), the Temple of Athena Nike (Victory), the Parthenon and the Erechteion. The expansive Agora of Athens, where the ancient philosophers counseled and taught, lies below. Next, visit the Parliament, and the Plaka. In the afternoon, leave the city and drive the coastal road to Cape Sounion. The scenic drive includes views of the Saronic Gulf, wonderful beaches and countless coves. Along the way, stop to visit the Vravrona Sanctuary. The dramatic scenery of Cape Sounion, is dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Return to the hotel for overnight.
Drive the historic coast road to Corinth, where Paul ministered for nearly two years and wrote the earliest New Testament writings, The Letters to Thessalonians. The columns of Apollo Temple dominate the Agora. See the tribunal before which Paul was dragged, but where Gallio refused to pass judgment on him. Continue to the beautiful Peloponnese and the ancient city of Mycenae, the center of Europe's first civilization. Proceed to the great Theater of Epidaurus and the ruins of the Asklepion. Return to Athens along the new scenic road with magnificent views of the Saronic Gulf and the ancient port of Conchreas from which Paul sailed to Ephesus.
Depart for Delphi, nestled in the mountains of Parnassus with an unforgettable view across acres of olive trees as far as the Gulf of Corinth. It was the site of the famous Oracle of Apollo and a city of fame and wealth considered by early Greeks to be the center of the world. In the afternoon, depart to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
Visit Meteora, where Byzantine monasteries perch atop gigantic rocks, each standing alone in space; some over 1,000 feet high. In the Byzantine period, the monastic communities were important centers for art. Today, some of the monasteries are still occupied by religious orders. Depart Kalambaka to Larisa, the fourth largest city in Greece, and on through the valley of Tempe along the green water of River Pinios. Continue on through Katerini to the beautiful and cosmopolitan city of Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki is also known as Salonika. The New Testament books of Thessalonians are Paul’s correspondence with the people of this church. Visit the old city ramparts, the Archaeological Museum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church, and the Galerius Arch, which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. Also visit two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Dimetrius, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, and St. Sophia. Continue to the ancient site of Veria, a modern shrine which commemorates Paul’s visit, and to Vergina, one of the most important sites in Northern Greece.
Head north from Thessaloniki to Philippi, the first great city in Europe visited by Paul. It lies astride the Via Egnatia, the road that connected Rome with Constantinople. Visit the extensive ruins of Philippi and see where Paul was imprisoned. Walk by the stream near the modern village of Lydia where the first baptism in Europe took place. Continue to Kavala.
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The ancient port of Kavala was known as Neopolis in New Testament times. See the attractive port and the 16th-century aqueduct, built by Suleiman the Magnificent. Then drive to the border where you will be met by your Turkish tour guide and continue to Canakkale.
Visit Troy, the legendary city-state of Homer’s Iliad. See the excavations showing several layers of this civilization, and the replica of the infamous Wooden Horse. Continue to Pergamum, the most favored of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Christianity reached Pergamum very early and the church there was praised for its forbearance in times of persecution. It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. Visit the stunning acropolis of the Hellenistic city, perched 1,000 feet above the town. Continue to Izmir.
This morning in Izmir (ancient Smyrna) visit the ancient Church of St. Policarp, which symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Then drive to the spectacular ruins of Ephesus, undoubtedly the best preserved Classical city in the Mediterranean. Ephesus was a large port with a population of over 250,000, the boomtown of Asia Minor. It was the site of one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation and St. Paul lived and preached here. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A short drive away, the Basilica of St. John sits atop the remains of St. John. End the day at the Last House of the Virgin Mary, who was brought to Ephesus by John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. Return to Kusadasi.
Transfer to the pier to board your privately chartered, early morning ferry to Patmos.
Visit St. John Monastery where John wrote The Book of Revelation. Also see the Apocalypse Cave and the museum. Return to Izmir by ferry.
Drive to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia and one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. View the significant ruins of the Acropolis and visit the temple of Cybele and Diana, which later became a church. Then visit the reconstructed synagogue and the gymnasium. Continue to Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale), with its hot mineral springs and spa. Paul introduced Christianity to the local population. Visit the ruins of one of the largest Roman cities in Asia Minor.
Transfer to Izmir airport for a short flight to Istanbul.
Visit the legendary Blue Mosque, decorated with beautiful 17th-century Iznik tiles. Then stroll around the historical Hippodrome where chariot races were held. Visit the underground Crusader Cisterns. Continue to Hagia Sophia, originally a Christian basilica built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century, then converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. After almost a century as a museum, Hagia Sophia became a working mosque again in 2020.
Continue to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, used as the spice market since 1665.
Next, take a ferry ride on the Bosporus.
Start the day with a visit to the Kariye Mosque, with its exquisite frescoes and mosaics from its origins as a Byzantine Christian church. Continue to Topkapi Palace, legendary residence of the Ottoman sultans. Then, enjoy some free time at the exhilarating Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
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For a longer pilgrimage experience, ask us about combining this tour with pilgrimage travel in Israel.
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| Paul the Apostle visited Greece on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journies. He traveled his 2nd mission roughly from 49 to 52CE. During that time, he stayed in Corinth for 1.5 years. You can read about it in the Book of Acts 15:36-18:22. He visited Greece again on his third mission, 53-58CE, described in Acts 18:23-21:15. |
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On Request - Please call for quote.
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Travel Tips
In spring (April-May) and fall (October-November) you may encounter rain and the air may be chilly at night but comfortable during the day; bring a warm jacket or a sweater and windbreaker. In summer (June-
September) wear cool cotton clothing, a hat and sunblock, but have a light sweater for cool evenings.
In winter (December-March) you may need warm woolen clothing and rain gear, even though many days will be sunny. In general, weather is warmer along the seacoasts and in the south and cooler at higher elevations.
A passport and visa are required for entry into Turkey and must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. Americans are now required to have a visa before entering Turkey. E-visas are available at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. Proof of sufficient funds and onward passage may be needed as well.
In general, no immunizations are required for visiting Turkey. Cholera and yellow fever vaccinations are required if arriving from an infected area.
Contact health authorities for the latest information.
Turkish is the official language of the country. English is widely spoken, especially in larger cities and resort areas.
Casual, comfortable clothing is ideal for touring. Outside of the major cities and resort areas it is wise to dress modestly (avoid short shorts, revealing tops etc.).
For visits of mosques, men and women should have arms and legs covered and women should cover their heads.
The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). One TL = 100 Kurus. Credit cards are widely accepted as are U.S. dollars.
The electric current is 220 volts AC 50 HZ. The wall plugs are the round, two pronged European type.
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INCLUDED IN PRICE - to be customized
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NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE - to be customized
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MAP
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TERMS
• A deposit of $500 per person, per country
booked is required
upon booking the tour.
• Final payment is due sixty days prior to departure.
• If booking within 21 days of travel, an additional
fee of $75 per person will apply.
• A change fee of $50 per person will apply to any
changes made by the traveler after confirmation
has been sent.
Transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment
and other services are sold on a partially refundable
basis depending upon the date, in relation
to the departure date, such services are cancelled.
The cancellation fees and calculations are set
forth below:
• 61 days or more prior to departure, a service fee of
$100 per person, per country will apply.
• If a tour is cancelled 60 days or less from departure
date and full payment has not been received in our
office, the deposit will then be forfeited in full.
• Once full payment has been received, any refund
made will be subject to a $75 per person administration
fee.
• 59 to 30 days prior to departure, a cancellation
fee of 50% of the tour cost will apply.
• 29 to 15 days prior to departure, a cancellation
fee of 75% of the tour cost will apply.
• 14 days or less prior to departure, a cancellation
fee of 100% of the tour cost will apply.
• No refund will apply to any unused services including
but not limited to flights, accommodations,
touring, meals and/or transportation.
Click for complete Terms & Conditions.
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