Overview
This religious based travel package is a combination of Istanbul & the 7 Churches of Revelations in Turkey, along with cruise to a few Greek Islands and sightseeing of Mainland Greece. We have tried to combine the Churches of Revelations along with a few stops made by St Paul during his various journeys. Except for the cruise section, this tour can be tailored to better suit where you would most like to visit.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival to Istanbul:
Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport meet for transfer to hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is then at leisure (as per your flight arrival time). Overnight in Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 - Historical Sights of Sultanahmet (regular group or private basis):
Aftre breakfast begin to discover some of the major sites that makes Istanbul such a fascinating city. Visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: breakfast & lunch included
**Additional days & tours in Istanbul can be added according to amount of time you have available.
**Istanbul section can also be excluded if you only wish to do day 03 to day 05
DAY 03 - Izmir (Smyrna) & Pergamum (private guided basis):
Smyrna Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:8-11
Pergamon Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:12-17
Transfer to airport for early morning flight on to Izmir. On arrival meet up with your private tour guide and begin your 7 Churches of Revelations Tour. During time in Izmir view St Polycarp Church (from the outside only) along with Kadifekale (translated meaning Velvet Castle) for panoramic views over the bay and city. 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.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 04 - Thyatira, Philadelphi, Sardes & Pamukkale (private guided basis):
Thyatira Biblical Reference - Revelation: 2:18-29
Philadelphi Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:7-13
Sardes Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:1-6
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.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 05 - Laodicea, Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary (private guided basis):
Ephesus Biblical Reference - Revelation: 1:11:2:1-7 and Acts 18:19-28:19
Laodicea Biblical Reference - Revelation: 3:14-22
Depart to visit the ruins of Laodicea which is mentioned in Revelations as the "City of Compromise". Next head to Selcuk and visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which represents 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 in Kusadasi
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 06 - Cruise Kusadasi to Patmos:
Check-out and transfer to port to embark on Greek Island Cruise. Today around noon the cruise heads for Patmos Island and on arrival you have free time to explore around on your own or join on optional cruise excursions. 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. Overnight on cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 07 - Cruise to Rhodes:
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 on cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 08 - Cruise to Heraklion and Santorini:
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 on cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 09 - Athens City Tour (optional Ancient Corinth):
Arrive early morning to Athens and after breakfast time to disembark. Meet for transfer to the city centre and join on half day morning regular group (or private) tour which takes you to visit the Acropolis (Propylaea, Temple of Athens Nike, Erechteion & Parthenon) along with the New Acropolis Museum. During panoramic drive section of the tour you will have opportunity to view from the coach some important sights in the city centre such as Constitution Square (Syntagma Square), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the National Library, Evzones in their picturesque uniform, the Presidential Palace, Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Afternoon & evening then free at leisure (option to add on half day Ancient Corinth Tour, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years). Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 10 - Mycenea, Epidauros, Naphlion (regular group basis):
Breakfast, check-out and join on 04-day escorted Classical Mainland Tour. 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.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 11 - Olympia (regular group basis):
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.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 12 - Delphi (regular group basis):
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.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 13 - Meteora Monasteries (regular group basis):
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 (stop to see from across the road the 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)
DAY 14 - Departure:
Breakfast, check-out and as per your international flight departure time meet for transfer to Athens Airport.