Thursday, June 9

Depart from the United States for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Friday, June 10

Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey and enjoy a welcome dinner with the entire group.

Saturday, June 11

Istanbul

We will tour the city of Istanbul in the morning.

Then 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, June 12

Troy and the Marmara Sea

This morning we arrive at the site of ancient Troy, the city immortalized by Homer in the Iliad. It was also at this site that Paul received a "Macedonian call," which brought the Christian gospel to Europe (Acts 16:1-10).

Monday, June 13

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, June 14

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, June 15

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, June 16

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, June 17

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, June 18

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. This evening you are in for a treat as we arrive for our stay at the Grand Bretagne Hotel. We will enjoy a lovely dinner together celebrating our wonderful journey.

Sunday, July 19

Athens, Greece

Today you are free to tour Athens, shop, enjoy the Greek cuisine and experience the rich culture of this amazing city.

Monday, June 20

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)

Saturday, June 4

Depart from the United States for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Sunday, June 5

Settle back and relax for the final part of your flight to Istanbul. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel in this exotic city.

Monday, June 6

Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis

We begin our journey this morning with a flight into Turkey’s interior. Our first stop is the ancient site of Colossae, a city that figured prominently in Paul’s ministry in Asia Minor. We then visit the site of the once wealthy city of Laodicea (the Self Sufficient Church)—where Christ said He was standing at the door and knocking.

This afternoon we rest at our hotel in Pamukkale near the world-famous “cotton castle” mineral formations. In the evening we will visit Hierapolis to visit the mineral formations and springs that help us understand the “lukewarm water” of Revelation 3.

Tuesday, June 7

Aphrodisias and Tavas

We begin today with a visit to the site of Aphrodisias, 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.” After lunch we drive to Tavas to visit a rug factory and see the ancient art of rug making that is skillfully carried on today.

Wednesday, June 8

Philadelphia, Sardis, and Smyrna

This morning we travel to Philadelphia (the Faithful Church). This city overlooked the ancient Persian Royal Road as it wound its way through the Meander Valley. We are then off to visit Sardis (the Dead Church), 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. Late this afternoon we will arrive in the modern city of Izmir where we will tour ancient Smyrna (the Persecuted Church) and walk the Agora, the “shopping center” of this ancient city. Our day ends as we begin our stay at the Swiss Hotel Grand in Izmir.

Thursday, June 9

Pergamum and Thyatira

Today we board our motor coach for a drive to Pergamum, (the Compromising Church). We will 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 we will visit the Asclepion, the healing complex of this ancient city. This afternoon we complete our journey to the churches of Revelation as we arrive at the ancient site of Thyatira (the Corrupt Church) before returning to our hotel in Izmir. (Ephesus will be toured during the cruise itinerary.)

Friday, June 10

Return to Istanbul

This morning we pack our bags for our return to Istanbul. Today we will tour 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. Then we will join the rest of the Journey’s of Paul Sea Cruise travelers for a welcome dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.