Seven Churches of Revelation & in the footsteps of St Paul & St John

Our professional guide will welcome you at the airport.

Explore the lunar landscape of Cappadocia and we visit Pigeon Valley and the fascinating frescoed rock churches.

Hot air balloon excursion with return transfers (Optional)                      

We depart to explore the lunar landscape of Cappadocia and we visit Göreme Open Air Museum; resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church.

Later, we go to Avanos Pottery Village, set on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red River). The village is well known throughout Turkey for its production of clay products. Hundreds of the village men are skilled in making pots, plates, wine holders, and even ashtrays and chess sets.

Then we will visit Pottery and Carpet factory.

After lunch we visit Kaymakli Underground City, these troglodyte cave-cities were excavated as early as Hittite times and expanded over the centuries as various marauding armies traversed Central Anatolia in search of captives and plunder. There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is Kaymakli underground city. a place of refuge for 15000 Christians. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms on this eight storey city connected by 30km of corridors. Photo stops will be made at Uchisar “castle” village, a fantasy-land of strange structures.

Finally, we have chance to view semi-precious Turkish Turquoise (the name given by Marco Polo which means colour of Turks) in the Jewellery Store.

Arrive at the hotel in Cappadocia for Dinner and overnight stay.

Proceed to Hierapolis ancient city -the greatest necropolis in Anatolia whose name means “sacred city,” was believed by the ancients to have been founded by the God Apollo. The city also had a significant Jewish community and was mentioned by Paul in his Letter to Colossians. We move to Cotton Castle which is a natural site. The city contains hot springs and travertine, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water and enjoy walking on the hot spring waters on the snow white terraced ponds. Then transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Departure from hotel to visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, later continue to Selcuk

After lunch we will drive to Ephesus, the first of the Seven Churches, for a visit. You will see the amazing ruins of this great city: the theater, the library, the Temple of Hadrian and the newly excavated Roman Terrace Houses. Then we proceed to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s House. St John the Apostle brought our Lady here, where She spent Her last years here on earth. Several Popes had been here, including Paul VI, John Paul II, and the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI in last Nov. You will see the remains of the Temple of Artemis as well as a small Byzantine church, and the largest synagogue discovered outside of Israel.

Following breakfast, transfer to Pier and depart to Patmos Island in Greece from Kusadasi.

Apostle John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ while he was exiled there by Emperor Domitian. While on the island we will study parts of the Book of Revelation and explore the Island.

After exploring the Island, Proceed to Kusadasi by ferry boat

Departure from the hotel and drive to Izmir.

We travel to Philadelphia, now called Alasehir. We’ll see remains of a Byzantine basilica as well as some eleventh century frescoes. Philadelphia and Smyrna were the only two churches among the Seven about which nothing bad was said by St.John.

Then we will leave for Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches, Thyatira. Then depart to Bergama which is the site of ancient Pergamos, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. You will visit the acropolis there and see the impressive theater, the Temple of Athena, and other ruins of former civilizations.

You will continue to Odun Iskelesi to visit the site and the port of Alexandria Troas where Paul raised the boy from death, Eutychus. Paul visited this area at least twice.

After having breakfast continue journey to Troy, the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the Trojan War for the honor of the beautiful Helen. Also visit its legendary walls, building and famous Wooden Horse.

Drive to Istanbul and on the way, visit Gallipoli historically famous for being the site of many battles-particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I.

Continue to Istanbul, Arrive at the port for Bosphorus cruise dinner

This morning we begin our tour by visiting, Blue Mosque with its beautiful Iznik tiles, Sultan Ahmet’s beautiful Blue Mosque, a Wonder of the World. Then Topkapi Palace, the palace and residence of the Ottoman Sultans where you will be awed by the jewels of the empire.

Hagia Sophia Museum, One of the Wonders of the Worlds which alternately was a cathedral and mosque built by Emperor Justinian.

After lunch we visit Famous Grand Bazaar, the biggest of its kind with 4000 shops. Haggle with the stallholders over an incredible variety of goods.  Dinner at a restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul

Morning at leisure in Istanbul for shopping and own explorations.

Arrive in Thessaloniki

The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today as we arrive in the delightful harbor city of Thessalonica.

Enjoy a sightseeing tour, view the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. Walk to  the White Tower  and enjoy  a  30 minutes floating cruise  with a soft drink/ coffee / teas per person

Depart Thessaloniki and continue driving to Meteora

A stop will be made in Berea to view the ancient synagogue where Paul spoke and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. Driving through the town we will see remnants of the original Roman road that spanned the nation during Paul’s time. We will also visit King Phillip’s (Alexander’s father) tomb in Vergina, one of the most outstanding finds in all of Greece.

Arrive in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight stay.

Visit the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries

We continue through the mountains to Meteora to Athens our tour travels southward past Thermopylae where we learn of the famous Spartan battle of 300.

This morning begin your Athens sightseeing tour visiting the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation.

Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace.

Later this afternoon we travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. We then travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul’s most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum.

Free time for Bible study and time of worship

Later walk through the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional 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 and love 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. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Transfer back to Athens Plaka area

This evening our group will enjoy an Athens by night orientation tour with A/C coach and English escort.

Check out from the hotel and transfer to Athens Plaka area