Day by Day Travel Itinerary

• Day 01 Sun . May . 04

  DEPARTURE

  Today we depart Norfolk on our overnight international flight to Istanbul, with a connection in Atlanta and Amsterdam.

• Day 02 Mon . May . 05

  ARRIVAL ISTANBUL

  Welcome to Turkey, a land of minarets, ancient civilizations, and modern bustling cities!  Upon arrival we will be  met and transferred to old town.  Late this afternoon we’ll enjoy a  private ferry which will cross the Bosphorus visiting both Europe and Asia with stops en route to take photos of the natural beauty, 15th-century Rumelihisan Fortress, Summer Palaces, and the Old Wooden Houses(Yalis). Our Bosphorus cruise will end close to the Black Sea.  We will then be escorted to our hotel for two overnights.  

• Day 03 Tue . May . 06

  ISTANBUL

  Our morning sightseeing begins with the most impressive building of old Constantinople, the domed basilica St. Sophia.  Considered as one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and the fourth largest church in the world.  This great edifice was the capital of the Christian church for nearly 1,000 years.  Nearby is the ancient sports Hippodrome - five times the length of an American football field.  Just imagine the great chariot races!  Take off your shoes at our next stop as we mix with Islamic worshipers at the Blue Mosque, with it’s six minarets.  Topkapi Palace, on a hill overlooking the city and the Bosphorous, was the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans. This afternoon we visit the famous Grand Covered Bazaar, a Mecca for shoppers and a kaleidoscope of Turkish tradition. Nearly 4,000 shops sell everything from Turkish carpets, furniture, kilims (Turkish rugs which are woven rather than tied) and hand-tooled leather goods. 

• Day 04 Wed . May . 07

  ISTANBUL / CANAKKALE

  Today we journey to Canakkale, a bustling ferry crossing on the Dardanelles Strait, connecting Asia and Europe.  Further south is the village of Tevfikiye and the ruins of Troas, where Paul met Luke, the physician and historian, who joined the missionary party and chronicled the travels of Paul and others as they carried the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles.  Here on the western coast of modern Turkey, Paul heard the call of a man, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9).  Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

• Day 05 Thu . May . 08

  CANAKKALE / PERGAMON / KUSADASI

  An early morning departure takes us to the northernmost of the churches in John’s apocalyptic vision.  High above the fertile farmland of Aeolia are the well-preserved ruins of Pergamum, the city that rivaled Athens and Alexandria as a cultural center in its day.  The impressive ruins of Pergamum include an acropolis with palaces, gymnasiums, temples, and the world’s steepest amphitheater, an Aesculapium (ancient medical center) and a now-empty library (it once held 200,000 volumes).  Note the familiar symbol of medicine on the base of the Serpent Altar; Pergamum was also the home of early medical theoretician Galen, whose teachings held sway for 1,500 years.  Unfortunately, the most spectacular treasures from Pergamum can’t be seen here - they’re at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin Germany.  We continue to Kusadasi for dinner and two overnights at our hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea.  

• Day 06 Fri . May . 09

  KUSADASI / EPHESUS

  Early this morning we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her later days.  Next is Ephesus, dominated by the great 24,000-seat amphitheater, cited in Acts as the place of the apostles’ courageous witness.  What a privelege to walk these ancient streets in the footsteps of New Testament writers Paul and John!  Excavations at Ephesus are ongoing...each season more can be seen of the city where Paul invested two years of his ministry.  Archaeologists still digging at the site have reconstructed much of it, including the beautiful two-story Library of Celsus, The Temple of Hadrian, and the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple once had 129 columns and was the size of a football field).  We then visit the Basilica of St. John. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Kusadası

• Day 07 Sat . May . 10

  CRUISING / PATMOS

  After breakfast we continue to the Kusadasi pier to embark on our cruise.  After embarkation formalities and later in the day we stop at Patmos where the exiled St John received the Revelation which forms the last book of the New Testament. Included is an excursion to the Monastery which is of the 11th Century and to the Grotto of Revelation.

• Day 08 Sun . May . 11

  CRUISING / HERAKLION / SANTORINI

  Our ship arrives to the island of Crete where Paul arrived as a prisoner on his way to Rome and the final chapter of his life. Paul revisited the island of Crete before his death, placing Titus in charge of the church he founded. We will visit Knossos Palace, center of the Minoan Civilization and return to the city for a short walking tour. Sail to the famous volcanic island of Santorini. You may take part in the tour to Oia village, perched high on top of a cliff, to watch a Santorini sunset which some consider the most beautiful anywhere on the planet! OR to take cable car to reach the capital of the island, Fira, and see its unique beauty. We return to the ship for dinner before sailing back to Athens. 

• Day 09 Mon . May . 12

  DISEMBARK CRUISE / ATHENS

  This morning our ship will reach its final destination-Athens. Welcome to the capital of Greece! We will disembark the ship and meet our guide and bus to start our tour to Athens with its famous Acropolis with visits to the Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Afterwards we take a panoramic tour to the rest of the sites of Athens: the Athens National Museum & Library; the University and the Parliament House. We’ll have some time this afternoon to explore the ancient area of Plaka, Athens’ oldest neighborhood.  Plaka’s charming stone-paved streets, colorful houses, and beautiful little gardens create a delightful atmosphere. Two overnights in ancient Athens

• Day 10 Tue . May . 13

  CORINTH / MYCENAE / ATHENS

  Today we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the beautiful Peloponnesian Gulf and across the Corinthian Canal to Corinth. In ancient times it was the chief commercial center of Greece.  See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked.  Afterwards we will continue to visit Mycenae where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate -- Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Return to Athens for dinner and our final overnight 

• Day 11 Wed . May . 14

  DEPARTURE

  Today we will say goodbye to Greece to fly home with unforgettable memories.