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1 |
ISTANBUL - IZMIR
Arrival Istanbul
and take connecting flight to Izmir, dinner and o/n. |
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| Day
2 |
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IZMIR - KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
Drive to ancient Ephesus; see the Town Hall, Baths, and the Grand Theater where
St. Paul
preached. En route to Pamukkale visit the sites of the churches, Philadelphia,
Sardis
and Laodicea. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. |
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| Day
3 |
IZMIR
Drive to Izmir, the birthplace of Homer; Visit the site of the Church in Smyrna
and tour the city. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. |
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4 |
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PERGAMUM - CANAKKALE
Drive to
Pergamum
to see the Homonym Church, as well as the Acropolis; the Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of Classical times; the Red Basilica as well as the site of the Church of
Pergamum. Continue to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day
5 |
ISTANBUL
Continue our tour with a visit of ancient Troy
with its 4000-year history, which recalls the epic struggle of the Iliad. And on to
Istanbul
for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day
6 |
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ISTANBUL TOUR
After breakfast, depart for a full day tour of Istanbul. Visit the Church of St. Sophia, the oldest Christian Basilica where the
Ecumenical
Councils were held, the Hippodrome of old Constantinople and the Blue Mosque. In the afternoon, visit the Topkapi Palace, the Sultan's former residence with its incredible collections |
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of jewels and
china. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. |
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| Day
7 |
TURKISH / GREEK BORDER - ALEXANDROUPOLIS
We depart Istanbul
and continue our tour driving to the Greek borders and the city of Alexandroupolis. Dinner and overnight in Alexandroupolis.
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| Day
8 |
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PHILIPPI
Visit Philippi
where St. Paul
delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here
St. Paul
baptized a "certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after
St. Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the |
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town's main road is the prison where
St. Paul
and Silas were thrown.
Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where
St. Paul
accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner and overnight in
Thessalonica. |
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| Day
9 |
THESSALONIKI - METEORA
Thessalonica
city tour. St. Paul
preached in Thessalonica
during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Depart for Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in
Kalambaka. |
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| Day
10 |
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METEORA - DELPHI
Visit Meteora Monasteries, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi, dinner and overnight. |
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| Day
11 |
DELPHI - ATHENS
Visit Delphi, the center of the Ancient world - the
"omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo
Pythios. Visit and continue to
Athens
for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day
12 |
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ATHENS TOUR - CORINTH TOUR
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and
Propylae. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where
St. Paul
spoke to the ancient Athenians. We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch |
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Panathenaic Stadium.
We
continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the
towering Acropolis, St. Paul
preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where
St. Paul
worked with Aquila and Priscilla. |
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See the remains of first century shops, the agora where
St. Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of
Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to
Athens
for dinner and overnight. |
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| Day
13 |
DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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