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IN
FOOTSTEPS of ST PAUL and CHURCHES of REVELATIONS - Turkey
and Greece Tour |
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NOTE:
This package can be somewhat altered to suit the number of days
you have available. |
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DAY
01 - Arrival to Istanbul: |
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Arrival
to Istanbul Airport and meet for transfer to your hotel. Rest
of day at leisure as per arrival time. Overnight in Istanbul. |
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DAY
02 - Istanbul City Tour: |
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After
breakfast at hotel meet with guide to depart on a full day tour
to explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome & Obelisk,
Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. After tour, return to hotel
with evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. |
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DAY
03 - Smyrna (Izmir) and Pergamum: |
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Breakfast
at hotel, check out and transfer on to Istanbul Airport for
the morning flight to Izmir. On arrival meet with the tour car
and tour guide for the drive to Izmir and visit the St Polycarp
Church and Kadifekale (translated as Velvet Castle) for panoramic
views over the bay and city. We then depart to Bergama and ruins
of Pergamum, previously a renowned cultural and political center
used by the Romans as an administrative center for the province
of Asia. Here visit the ruins of the Acropol and the Asclepion
with its theatre. Overnight in Bergama.
Smyrna Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:8-11
Pergamon Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:12-17 |
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DAY
04 - Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardes and Pamukkale: |
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After
breakfast and check out, time to depart on to visit the ruins
of Thyatira which was founded by the Lydians. Then to magnificent
Sardes which was the wealthy capital of the Lydian Empire. Enroute
to Pamukkale also stop to visit the church in Philadelphia which
was important for the spreading of thought patterns and activities
of the Hellenistic civilisation and Christian faith. Our day
will end on arrival to Pamukkale with a visit to the natural
formation of the travertens (Cotton Cliffs) and the ruins of
Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Thyatira Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:18-29
Philadelphi Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:7-13
Sardes Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:1-6 |
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DAY
05 - Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary: |
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Breakfast,
check out and depart to visit the ruins of Laodicea which is
mentioned in Revelations as the "City of Compromise".
Next drive to Selcuk and visit Ephesus Ancient City representing
many different facets of Ancient Greek and Roman culture. Last
by not least, visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said
to have spent the last of her days. Overnight Kusadasi.
Ephesus Biblical Reference - Revelation: 1:11:2:1-7 and Acts
18:19-28:19
Laodicea Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:14-22 |
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DAY
06 - Cruise to Patmos: |
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Breakfast,
check out and meet in the hotel lobby for transfer to the port
to embark on the cruise.
The cruise departs at noon sailing for the Greek Island of Patmos.
It was to this island that St. John the Theologian was exiled
and inspired to write the Book of Revelations. The cave where
he lived is near the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse.
There are various shore excursions on offer for sightseeing.
Overnight in cabin onboard cruise. |
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DAY
07 - Cruise to Rhodes: |
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The
cruise arrives early morning of the wonderful island of Rhodes.
Here you have a full day to explore the medieval "Old Town"
of Rhodes or join on one of the cruise shore excursions that
go to the nearby town of Lyndos where you find the "Bay
of St Paul" where he landed during one of his voyages.
The cruise departs from Rhodes early evening heading towards
the island of Crete, the largest in Greece. Overnight in cabin
onboard cruise. |
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DAY
08 - Cruise to Heraklion and Santorini: |
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Early
morning arrival to the city of Heraklion in Crete. Here you
have around four hours to explore on your own or take the optional
shore excursion to visit the Knossos Palace ruins. The cruise
then departs for the famous Greek island of Santorini with arrival
in the late afternoon. Here you have the chance to explore the
town of Fira, take a cable car ride or even a donkey ride. Late
evening begin the voyage on to Athens. Overnight onboard cruise. |
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DAY
09 - Athens City Tour: |
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Arrival
early morning to Athens and after breakfast it is time to disembark.
Meet for transfer to the city centre and then join on the half
day morning tour which takes you see the center of the city,
Constitution Square (Syntagma Square), the House of Parliament,
the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the National Library, Evzones
in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On
the way to the Acropolis, you also see the Temple of the Olympian
Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. At the Acropolis visit its Museum and
the architectural masterpieces of the Propylaea, Temple of Athens
Nike, Erechteion and finally, the monument that puts order in
the mind, the Parthenon. The afternoon is at leisure for you
to relax and/or further explore around other areas of Athens
such as the Plaka on your own. Overnight in Athens. (Note:
If you do not wish to include the mainland section of the package
as noted below, your tour can end here in Athens.) |
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DAY
10 - Epidauros, Mycenea and Naphlion: |
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Breakfast,
check-out and depart on a tour to visit some of the mainland
highlights. Leave Athens by the Coastal Road to the Corinth
Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros
famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town
of Nauplion (short stop) & drive on to Mycenae to visit
the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Depart for
Oympia, "cradle of the Olympic Game" through the Central
Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight
in Olympia. |
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DAY
11 - Olympia and Delphi: |
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In
the morning visit the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary
of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological
Museum. Then drive through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until
the new magnificent bridge which crosses the Corinthian Bay
from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos
(Lepanto) and Itea until arrival to Delphi. Overnight in Delphi. |
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DAY
12 - Delphi and Meteora: |
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Morning
visit to the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Then
depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the
astonishing complex of Meteora. Overnight Kalambaka. |
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DAY
13 - Meteora Monasteries Tour: |
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Visit
Meteora and enjoy a unique and impressive scenery with ageless
Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures,
standing between Earth and Sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens
via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae (visit Leonida's Monument).
Arrival back to Athens in the early evening. Overnight in Athens.
(For the visit to the Monasteries ladies need to wear a skirt,
gentlemen long trousers). |
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DAY
14 - Departure: |
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Breakfast,
check out and as per your flight time transfer to Athens International
Airport. |
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