Depart on an international overnight flight to Istanbul. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, we’ll be greeted by our tour escort, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for transfer to our hotel. Istanbul is the former Byzantium, the powerful capital of the Byzantine Empire, and the stronghold of Early Christianity. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (D)

Today we explore the magical city of Istanbul connecting two continents, Europe and Asia. We visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE; the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the center of social life in the Byzantine Empire; the impressive Blue Mosque with its iconic six minarets; the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years; and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and the oldest covered markets in the world. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B/D

Today we leave Istanbul and head to Canakkale via the Dardanelles. On the way we stop and visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Troy, one of the most famous cities in the ancient world and immortalized by Homer in “Iliad”. We continue to Canakkale, ancient Dardanellia. We stop to see the wooden horse from the 2004 movie “Troy” exhibited on the Canakkale waterfront. Dinner and overnight in Assos. (B/D)

In the morning we drive to Alexandria Troas from where Paul, inspired by a dream, set sail to Neapolis in Macedonia on his second missionary journey (Act of the Apostles: 16-9). We continue to Assos where Paul rejoined his companions after more than 10 hours walk from Alexandria Troas (Acts: 20-13). Then on to Pergamon, one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed in Revelation. We see the majestic Acropolis with the remains of Temple of Zeus (The Great Altar of Pergamon associated with the temple and often referred to as “Satan’s Altar” was moved in the 19th century to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany); the Asclepium dedicated to the god of healing; the Serapeum, the temple dedicated to Egyptian god of healing and worshipped in ancient Rome and Greece; the Temple of Trajan; and the Theater with its seating capacity of 10,000 people. Next, we drive to Izmir stopping at Thyatira, home to one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Lydia, the seller of purple (Acts 16:14) was from here. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B/D)

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After a short morning sightseeing tour of Izmir (ancient Smyrna and one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (Rev: 2-8)) we drive to Sardes (Rev: 3-1). We visit the Temple of Artemis dedicated to the goddess of the city; the Gymnasium - Bathhouse, the large complex housing bathhouse and exercise facilities; and the Synagogue of Sardis, the largest synagogue discovered in Asia Minor. We continue to Philadelphia (Rev: 3-7) and then to Laodicea (Rev. 3-14) to visit the next Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its unique stalactite formations and the beautiful natural pools of warm water. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B/D)

In the morning we visit Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale), a sacred and thriving Roman city was an important Christian center in the ancient world. We see its marvels such as the Necropolis, the Theater, the Temple of Apollo, the Byzantine Steet and Pluto’s Gate, a site believed to be gateway to hell. Next, we drive to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here (Acts: 17 and Rev. 2-1) we visit the Basilica of John, the last House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Dinner and overnight in Selcuk (B/D)

After breakfast we transfer to Izmir airport for our flight back home arriving the same day. (B)

*(B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we transfer to the port of Kusadasi where we embark on our cruise ship departing after noon. We sail to the island of Patmos where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation. We join the excursion to the “Cave of the Apocalypse” and the Monastery of St. John the Divine. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)

We arrive in the charming island of Santorini in the morning. Here, you can take an optional excursion to visit the villages of Oia (at additional cost) or just relax and explore the island at your own pace. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)

This morning we disembark in the port of Lavrio and depart for Corinth with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea. Corinth was Paul’s home for eighteen months. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Marketplace and the temples of Aphrodite, Apollo, and Poseidon. From the Bema at Corinth, Paul spoke to the Corinthians about our Lord and Savior Christ. Return to Athens in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (B/D)

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight back home arriving the same day. (B)

*(B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner