Friday, July 3
Depart from the United States for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Saturday, July 4
Late afternoon we will board our ship, the majestic Star Clipper, for our journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Our ship will sail through the Dardanelles into the Marmara Sea, passing key sites in the World War I battle for Gallipoli.
Sunday, July 5
Troy and the Marmara Sea
This morning we arrive at the site of ancient Troy, the city immortalized by Homer in the Iliad.
Monday, July 6
Philippi
Our morning begins with the ship docking in Kavala—the ancient port city of Neapolis where Paul first set foot in Europe. A short bus ride takes us to the city of Philippi. We will have a memorable communion service on the bank of the Gangitis River near the spot where Paul met with Lydia, his first convert to Christianity in Europe. We will then visit the ruins of this important city in Paul’s ministry—one that ministered to him in spite of the believers’ great poverty.
Tuesday, July 7
A Restful Day at Sea
Today is a picturesque day at sea as we sail from Kavala south toward Ephesus. Relax or take time to review the sites already visited.
Wednesday, July 8
Ephesus
Today we dock at the port of Kusadasi and drive a short distance to the most outstanding city in all Asia Minor. We will tour the ancient city of Ephesus whose magnificent ruins are still being unearthed. Walk the streets that once bustled with shopkeepers and sailors during the time of Paul. Sit in the theater where a crazed mob shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” This breathtaking city was the capstone of Paul’s ministry in Asia Minor.
Thursday, July 9
Patmos
Our next cruise stop is the dramatic island of Patmos, the place of exile where the Apostle John received and wrote the Book of Revelation. We will visit the Convent of the Apocalypse, the spot where tradition says John had his vision of the resurrected Jesus Christ. We will then view the Monastery of St. John, which houses several ancient manuscripts. Before returning to the ship in the evening, we will have time to stroll through the picturesque town of Skala.
Friday, July 10
Corinth
We will depart from our ship for a short ride to the ruins of ancient Corinth. Here you will stroll through the city where Paul spent a good portion of his time—and to which he wrote two key epistles. Stand before the bema, the judgment seat where charges were leveled against Paul. Afterward visit Isthmia before returning to our ship.
Saturday, July 11
Athens, Greece
Debark the Star Clipper and begin your day with a tour of Athens. Stand on Mars Hill where Paul made his famous speech to the men of Athens, and then climb the Acropolis for a view of the remarkable Parthenon. In the afternoon enjoy some free time for shopping or dining in Athens’ historic Plaka.
Sunday, July 12
Homeward Bound
Travel day for your return flight from Athens back to the United States, arriving home the same day.
NOTE: (All shore excursions are included)
Optional Pre-Tour Extension #1
One Day in Istanbul
Thursday, July 2
Depart from the United States for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Friday, July 3
Settle back and relax for the final part of your flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, transfer to your beautiful hotel in this exotic city.
Saturday, July 4 – Istanbul
Those who have chosen to extend their journey will spend their day touring Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine-era church built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian. You will have the opportunity to bargain among the three thousand shops in the famous Covered Bazaar of Istanbul. This afternoon you will visit the exquisite Topkapi Palace, the sultan’s residence for the Ottoman Empire for more than four hundred years. Then it’s off to the harbor where we will board our ship, the majestic Star Clipper, for our journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
Optional Pre-Tour Extension #2
Five-Day Tour of Seven Churches of Revelation
Sunday, June 28
Depart from the United States for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Monday, June 29
Settle back and relax for the final part of your flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, transfer to your beautiful hotel in this exotic city.
Tuesday, June 30 – Istanbul, Izmir
We will begin our journey touring Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine-era church built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian. You will also have the opportunity to bargain among the three thousand shops in the famous Covered Bazaar of Istanbul. This afternoon we will board our flight to the modern city of Izmir where our tour of the “Churches of Revelation” begins.
Wednesday, July 1 – Smyra and Pergamum
Ancient Smyra is our first stop. Visit the Agora, the “shopping center” of this city. We will board our motorcoach for a drive to Pergamum, another of the seven churches of Revelation. Tour the ancient acropolis to view the majestic theater and the foundation for the temple of Zeus, quite possibly the “throne of Satan” named by the Apostle John. Then visit the Asclepion, the healing complex of this ancient city. In the afternoon return to Izmir.
Thursday, July 2 – Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
In the morning pack your bags for a trip into Turkey’s interior. Our first stop will be at the ancient city of Sardis, the legendary capital of the Lydian empire and home of its final king, the wealthy Croesus. We will look at the temple of Artemis and the magnificent ruins of a Roman gymnasium and Jewish synagogue. Then we will travel to Philadelphia, the city without condemnation that overlooked the ancient Persian Royal Road as it wound its way through the Meander Valley. We then drive to the site of the once-wealthy city of Laodicea—where Christ said He was standing at the door and knocking. Our day will end in Pamukkale at our hotel near the world-famous “cotton castle” mineral formations.
Friday, July 3 – Colossae, Tavas, Aphrodisias, and Hierapolis
We will begin this morning by driving to the site of ancient Colossae, a city that figured prominently in Paul’s ministry in Asia Minor. Then we will drive to Tavas to visit a rug factory and see the ancient art of rug making that is skillfully carried on today. In the afternoon we will visit the site of Aphridisias, perhaps the finest remaining ruins of a city in the central part of Turkey. Here we will see a stadium where ancient athletes “ran the race that was set before them.” On our way back to the hotel we will stop at Hierapolis to visit the mineral formations and springs that help us understand the “lukewarm water” of Revelation 3.
Saturday, July 4 – Return to Istanbul
This morning we will fly back to Istanbul and visit the exquisite Topkapi Palace, the sultan’s residence for the Ottoman Empire for more than four hundred years. Then it’s off to the harbor where we will board our ship, the majestic Star Clipper, for our journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
