In the Footsteps of Paul

11-Day Tour of Greece & Turkey

November 2, 2026 to November 12, 2026

Begin your unforgettable journey in Istanbul, where East meets West. Cruise along the Bosporus Strait, passing grand palaces and ancient landmarks. Then, stroll through the bustling Spice Bazaar, soaking in the vibrant colors and rich aromas. From there, travel to Izmir, a coastal city full of charm and history. Explore the ancient city of Pergamum, where you’ll walk through its dramatic acropolis and visit the healing temple of the Asclepion, a renowned center of medicine in the ancient world.

Next, continue your biblical tour to Sardis and Philadelphia, two of the original Seven Churches of Revelation. Here, walk among the ruins and reflect on the powerful messages once sent to early Christians. Afterward, journey to the remarkable city of Ephesus. Marvel at its well-preserved streets, grand colonnades, the Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Artemis. Don’t miss St. John’s Basilica, built over the believed burial site of the Apostle John.

Then, cross into Greece and dive into the heart of history in Athens. Visit the iconic Acropolis and stand before the mighty Parthenon. Wander through the Ancient Agora, where Paul once preached to the Athenians. Continue to Corinth, another key location in Paul’s ministry. There, you’ll explore ruins that include the Bema Seat, where Paul was brought before Roman officials.

Next, travel to the mystical site of Delphi. Once known as the center of the ancient world, Delphi offers incredible views and powerful legends. From there, head north to Meteora, where you’ll see breathtaking monasteries perched atop massive rock pillars. These spiritual havens offer a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience.

Afterward, follow Paul’s path to Philippi, where he first preached in Europe. Walk through the ancient forum and visit the river where Lydia was baptized. Then, continue to Veria (Berea), known for its devotion to Scripture and Paul’s teachings. Finally, end your journey in Thessaloniki, a city rich in Roman, Byzantine, and Christian history. Reflect on your incredible adventure and celebrate a meaningful farewell in one of the New Testament’s most vibrant cities.

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Departure ID: 4130
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Note: the map indicates the general route of the tour, and may not reflect the
exact route that will be taken on the trip.

Group of travelers explore the Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes

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ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart U.S.A.

Embark on your journey with an overnight flight to Istanbul. Prepare for a lifechanging experience and take the opportunity to rest during the flight.

Day 2: Arrival Istanbul Airport, Izmir Airport, Pergamum, Izmir

We arrive at Istanbul Airport from our international flight and board on our connecting flight to Izmir Airport. Upon our arrival to Izmir Airport, we will visit Pergamum, one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. The city was a great center of culture and the capital of East Roman Empire. On the Acropolis there are numerous remains including the celebrated Library, the steepest theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the place of the monumental Altar of Zeus famous with the relief of God and devils, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora. Then, we will proceed to the Medical Center of the ancient world, Asclepium where the first psychological treatment had been used and which was dedicated to the God of Health, Asclepios. Next, we will visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church). Then we transfer to our hotel in Izmir for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Sardis, Philadelphia, Kusadasi

After breakfast, we will visit the Ancient Smyrna; poor and persecuted, the church at Smyrna suffered amidst prosperity for its refusal to worship the Roman Emperor. This proved to be the last stronghold of Christianity in Asia Minor. Home of the great second century Bishop Polycarp Pergamum, who was burned alive at the age of eighty-six. Then we continue with a visit to Sardis, ancient capital city of the Lydians and the visit Church of Sardis. Afterwards, we visit Alasehir, where the Ancient Philadelphia Church is located. Then we walk the streets of Philadelphia. We arrive at our hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Ephesus, Izmir Airport, Istanbul Airport, Istanbul

After breakfast, we will visit Ephesus, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief - during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21). His second visit lasted about three years - during his third missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke’s account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35. The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Then we continue to visit the Basilica of St. John. Early tradition associated John, the disciple of Jesus, the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation with the city of Ephesus. As early as the 4th or 5th century a Christian church was built over a simple grave, supposedly the grave of St. John. The church, known as the Church of St. John the Theologian, is located on Ayasuluk Hill. After the tour, we will be dropped off to Izmir Airport to take our flight for Istanbul. Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport, we transfer to our hotel. Then, we will embark on a scenic tour of the Bosporus, the natural waterway that divides Asia from Europe, passing palaces, castles, palatial homes, and the two magnificent suspension bridges. Dinner and overnight are in Istanbul.

Day 5: Istanbul, Istanbul Airport, Athens Airport, Athens

After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of Istanbul. We will visit St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th Century by Emperor Justinian. Then, we will visit Blue Mosque, facing St. Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet and Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome. Then we depart for the Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves, and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every storefront. Afterwards, we depart for Istanbul Airport for our flight to Athens. Upon arrival at Athens Airport, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 6: Athens, Ancient Corinth, Athens

After breakfast, we depart for a tour of Peloponnese. Our first stop will be the Isthmus of Corinth. It is a narrow strip of land 6 kilometers in length joining Central Greece with Peloponnese. We will have free time to take photos. Then, we arrive at Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. In Romans 16:23 Paul mentions his friend Erastus and we will see an inscription to him at the site. From here, we see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica in Cenchreae, before returning back to Athens. It was the harbor of Corinth, on the Saronic Gulf, east, whence Paul sailed for Ephesus (Acts 18:18). There was a church here, of which Phoebe was a member (Rom. 16:1), and Lucius its first bishop, appointed by Paul. There was a temple at the end of each mole, and a statue of Poseidon (Neptune) on a rock between, as may be seen on an ancient coin of Corinth. Then, we return to Athens for a touring the Panathenaic Stadium known as Kallimarmaro. In Antiquity was used for the celebration of Panathenea in honour of Goddess Athena. You will have free time to take photos. Boarding to the coach and departure to see the Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the symbolic monument in the memory of the Soldiers who died for their country. Then, drive along Panepistimiou Street, one of the most central streets of Athens, we will see the triad of neoclassical buildings: The Library, the Academy and the University. We will visit Mars Hill and the Acropolis with magnificent monuments such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the Ancient Agora, the theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Acts 17:16-34). We will have the chance to walk around the Parthenon Monument, which was built during the 5th century BC by the architects Ictinus and Kallikrates. Then we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Athens, Delphi, Kalambaka

After breakfast, we will depart for Delphi and learn how the city was considered the “Center of the World” in ancient Greece and today one of the most famous archaeological sites of Greece. Along the way, we will see the plain of Boeotia, an agricultural center, and we will also pass by the city of Theva, the birthplace of King Oedipus. We will reach Delphi towards Mt. Parnassos, making a short rest stop outside the town of Levadia. First stop is a tour of the Delphi archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the most important digs in Europe. Here, we walk around the evocative ruins to see famous monuments like the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle. Second stop is Delphi Museum, with its spectacular exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos, the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games, and many other artifacts. Then, we will depart for Kalambaka for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 8: Kalambaka, Meteora, Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we depart for and visit the prefecture built in a rare geological phenomenon of Meteora. It’s a cluster of huge dark colored stones made of sandstone. The name Meteora is attributed to the monk of the monastery, Agios Athanasius the Meteorite. We will have the chance to enjoy the panoramic ride and to visit one of the six visited monasteries. Then we depart for Thessaloniki where we will have dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 9: Thessaloniki, Philippi, Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we will follow the route Via Egnatia and visit (as Paul and his companions did once) the Site of Philippi and also the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Apostle Paul baptized her. We will also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theatre. Then we depart for Kavala, a picturesque city-port, in order to view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Then, we return back to Thessaloniki, starting from Saint Dimitrius, where we will pilgrimage the relics of the Saint, admire the mosaics of the Church and also see the spot where the Saint was martyred. Following that, we will visit the White Tower and the Upper Town, where we will have a panoramic view of Thessaloniki. Then we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Veria, Vergina, Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we will depart for the capital of Imathia, which name is Veria. It is built at the foot of Mount Vermio. We will have free time to visit the Step of Apostle Paul and the Synagogue. It is located next to the Barbouta area, which over time came to be known as the Jewish District. The stone-built Synagogue is the most ancient synagogue in the Northern Greece. Then, we will depart for Vergina, where we will visit the museum with the four tombs, two of which are the most significant, and a small shrine, the Heroes Garden. Two of the tombs are the most significant, the one of Philip II and the other of Alexander the fourth. Then we return to Thessaloniki for a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight is at our hotel in Thessaloniki.

Day 11: Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Airport Departure

** This denotes this part of the itinerary is part of an optional extension.
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