Religious Tours   

13-day Tour

Day 1: Canada / Athens
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to Greece.

Day 2: Athens
Upon arrival in Athens, we will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.

Day 3: Athens
Our classical tour in Athens begins at the ancient Acropolis with its Parthenon. Stopping at the Areopagus or "Mars Hill", the rocky hill at the foot of Acropolis, you will see the original text of St. Paul’s speech concerning the "Unknown God". Drive around the city’s most important sites including the National Library, University Academy, and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. This afternoon travel to ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of St. Paul’s most familiar letters. 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 our understanding and love of I & II Corinthians.

Day 4: Athens / Mykonos (Greek Isles Cruise)
Transfer to the pier at Piraeus to embark on a three-day cruise of the beautiful Greek Isles. Your first stop will be the island of Mykonos, which offers beautiful beaches and picturesque windmills. Stroll through its quaint winding streets and whitewashed alleys and enjoy the local flavor of its many cafes and taverns on your own.

Day 5: Rhodes (Greek Isles Cruise)
Sail into the harbor of the great island of Rhodes, the legendary home of the Greek Sun God Apollo. This island was the site of rich and powerful cities as early as 1100 BC. It was the stronghold of the Knights of St. John who built their remarkable medieval ramparts and castles in the 13th and 14th centuries. Our sightseeing will include viewing the imposing Castle of the Temple Knights and an excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos. The Rhodians maintain that the Apostle stayed in their city and preached, bringing many people into the new faith. To this day the small harbor is referred to as St. Paul’s Harbor.

Day 6: Patmos / Kusadasi (Greek Isles Cruise)
This morning visit the island of Patmos where St. John received the mystical Revelation which forms the last book of the New Testament. Visit the Grotto of Revelation and the 11th century Monastery of St. John which houses the original script of the Gospel. In the afternoon, the ship arrives in the colorful Turkish port of Kusadasi. After disembarkation, transfer to our hotel with the remainder of the day free.

Day 7: Kusadasi
Drive to nearby Ephesus to visit the site of the Temple of Artemis. Paul spent two years in Ephesus and it was to this community that he might have written his Epistle to the Ephesians. Paul implored the Ephesians to cease their worship of Artemis and to turn to Christianity. We will see the great theater where Paul addressed the crowds and visit the scene of the riot from which Paul escaped. Visit the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Tomb of St. Luke. On August 18, 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. While driving back to Kusadasi, visit the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by the Emperor Justinian.

Day 8: Kusadasi / Pamukale
After breakfast proceed to the spa city of Pamukale. See the cascading water from the cliffs forming crystallized, dazzling white "frozen waterfalls". Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and see the magnificently preserved Necropolis, the Main Street and Gates. Continue to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches. Christians were chastised here by John for being lukewarm. Overnight in Pamukale.

Day 9: Pamukale / Izmir
After breakfast, drive to Philadelphia which was referred to as the "New Jerusalem". Then proceed to Sardis, the Lydian capital city where money was first minted, to visit the marble road of the Roman Gymnasium and the remains of the Artemis Temple which symbolized one of the Seven Churches. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 10: Izmir / Canakkale
Visit the Church of St. Polycarp, which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna. Polycarp, the fourth Bishop of Smyrna, is known as one of the first Christian martyrs. Continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches. Next to Pergamum, the most favored of the Seven Churches where Christianity was introduced very early. Here we will see the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, the fabled Acropolis and the Royal Gate. We will also visit Asclepion, one the foremost healing centers of the ancient world. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 11: Canakkale / Istanbul
Visit Troas, where St. Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia (Greece). Proceed to legendary Troy to see the city made famous in Homer’s poems. In the afternoon cross the Dardanelles, where we see Gallipoli, the famous site of the World War One battle, then drive along the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul, ancient Constantinople. En-route to our hotel, our tour guide will give us a brief orientation of the city. The balance of the day is at leisure for shopping in the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world where over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold.

Day 12: Istanbul
Our morning begins with a visit to the Haga Sophia, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This basilica dedicated to Divine Wisdom has a history dating back to the fourth century and for almost a thousand years was the largest church in Christendom. Next visit the architecturally superb Sultan Ahmed’s famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Then in the afternoon visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans, where we will view the Treasury and the world’s biggest emerald. The balance of the day is free to enjoy this fascinating city on our own.

Day 13: Istanbul / Canada
Transfer to Istanbul airport for departure. We will jet for home with images and appreciation of the ministry of St. Paul, Classical Greece and Turkey.

This itinerary is only a small taste of what we have to offer. For more information or a customized itinerary and competitive quotation, please complete our Expression of Interest or contact us at 1.888.923.9183.