Turkey & Greece
in the Footsteps of St.Paul
OBERAMMERGAU
Istanbul • Ephesus • Pergamon • Thessaloniki •
Philippi • Corinth
15 DAYS
Please email your group request to us tours@friendshiptours.com
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
|
 |
This tour is offered only as a suggestion.
You may customize this itinerary and any other aspect of this tour.
DAY 1 – NEW YORK • ISTANBUL
Depart from USA on our flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Meals and overnight
on board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
DAY 2 • ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
On our way there will be a short panoramic tour of the city.
DAY 3 • ISTANBUL
After breakfast we will leave our hotel for a full day sightseeing tour.
We will first visit the St. Savior-in-Chora Church, now known as the
Kariye Museum. Continue on to the Hippodrome, the former centre of sportive
and political activities of Constantinople. We will then visit the legendary
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). Later visit the Sophia Church. The
remaining of the day will be free at leisure to enjoy shopping at the
Grand Covered Bazaar
DAY 4 ISTANBUL/Izmir/Sardis/Philadelphia/Laodicea/PAMUKKALE
Transfer to the airport where will take the first flight of the day
to
Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir we will start driving East towards Pamukkale.
Our first stop will be at Salihli, ancient Sardis, capital of the ancient
Kingdom of Lydia. From here we will continue on to Alasehir, ancient
Philadelphia, the first of the Seven Churches. Visit Laodicea, a vast
Roman colony, which stood at the junction of two important main roads
which then prospered from trade and banking. Laodicea was one of the
Seven Churches addressed by John in the Revelation.
DAY 5 • PAMUKKALE/Hierapolis/Colossae/Miletus/KUSADASI
Today we visit Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis, which is located
right over the travertine terraces, and which was a fashionable spa
centre in Roman times. From here we drive East to Colossae, the city
to which Paul wrote his letter from Ephesus or Rome, and from which
we learn the Colossians, the inhabitants of this city, learned about
the grace of God from his disciple, Epaphras. Visit Miletus, which in
ancient times was a port situated at the mouth of the Meander River.
St. Paul visited Miletus in spring - possibly in AD 47. We finish our
day by driving to Kusadasi, a
well-inhabited touristic port town on the Aegean where we will be spending
the night.
DAY 6 • KUSADASI/Ephesus/IZMIR
Visit Ephesus, which began as a port on the mouth of the Cayster River.
It became one of the leading cities of the world, linking the western
end of trade routes in Anatolia with the rest of the Mediterranean.
Paul preached and taught in Ephesus for over two years. He had to leave
Ephesus following the famous riot agitated by the Silversmith Demetrius
who was concerned that the advent of the new religion would hurt his
trade of selling silver statues of Artemis. Some authorities believe
that following the riot, St.
Paul was imprisoned in the so-called "Prison of St Paul" in
Ephesus. You will visit Ephesus archaeological site where you will see
the great theatre, Celsius library and the fabulous Curetes Street.
We will also visit the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis,
and continue on to Izmir, ancient Smyrna, to which John wrote one of
his letters. In Izmir we have a brief tour of the city including a visit
to the Church of St. Polycarp, which the original building of which
was founded as a gift by the stern French Cardinal Richelieu in 1625.
DAY 7 • IZMIR/Thyatira/Pergamon/CANAKKALE
After breakfast we will leave for Thyatira, which is one of the Seven
Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Later proceed to Pergamon,
modern Bergama. Pergamon was the site of one of
the Seven Churches, which John addresses in the Revelation. See the
famous Altar of Zeus, Trajan's Temple, the Temple of Isis and Serapis
and the Temple of Athena were located here. The city boasted an outstanding
library that rivalled that of Alexandria in importance and a famous
school of sculpture. We will visit the Acropolis where there is a great
Hellenistic theatre and Trajan's Temple. Also we will visit Asclepion,
which was a sanctuary and a healing centre built in the name of the
god of healing, Asclepius. After visiting the Homonym Church, which
is also known as the
Basilica of St. John, we drive North to Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 8 • CANAKKALE/TROY/ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Arrive in Rhodes early this morning. Leaving the harbor, (optional)
we will drive along the picturesque eastern coastline, scattered with
white-washed villages, to Lindos, which is guarded by huge medieval
walls constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 13th Century. Within,
stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a precipice 400
feet above the sea. From the Acropolis there are breathtaking views
of the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay where
the Apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. We will
proceed up the Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico
to the Temple of Athena — among the most important temples of
the Ancient Greek World. After having visited the Acropolis, return
to Rhodes city. Enjoy a panoramic drive in the new part of the city,
stop for a view of the walled old town from Mt. Smith and then see the
ruins of ancient Rhodes town, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium.
The return is directly to the port and the ship for lunch. Overnight
on board our cruise ship.
DAY 9 • ALEXANDROUPOLIS/THESSALONIKI
“And from there we went to Philippi which is the leading city
of the
district of Macedonia...” (Acts16: 12-18.) Our full day excursion
will take us overland along the ancient route of Paul through mountain
passes and plains to Amphipolis for a short stop to view the ancient
Lion statue. Continue to Ancient Philippi where we find two early Christian
basilicas, traces of the Egnatian Way, the Roman Forum, the citadel
and the ancient theater. It is also here that Paul first preached the
Gospel to Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki
DAY 10 • THESSALONIKI/ATHENS
This morning we transfer to the airport for a flight to Athens. Arrive
Athens and proceed on a cty tour. Return to Athens for a tour of the
city, visiting the legendary Acropolis. See the chief jewel of the Acropolis,
the Parthenon, the Temple of Wingless Victory, the Propylaea and the
Erechtheum with its peerless Porch of Maidens. Beneath the Acropolis
is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where Paul made his famous ‘MEN
OF ATHENS’ speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek
philosophy and character.
Driving through the city you will see the National Library, the Presidential
Palace, the Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and House
of Parliament. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 11 • ATHENS • CORINTH
Morning drive to Ancient Corinth, which was the most beautiful city
of Roman Greece. Visit the Doric style temple of Apollo, the market
place, the fountain of Pirene, the Bema of Paul and the Agora, where
Paul preached. We will also see Acrocorinth and Kehrees. Continue to
Mycenae and the "Beehive Tombs", including the Tomb of Agamemnon.
Drive to Epidaurus and visit the musuem and amphitheater. Seating 14,000
this remarkable theater has perfect
acoustics and every word said on the stage can be heard in the last
of the 55 tiers. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 12 • ATHENS • MUNICH • OBERAMMERGAU
Depart on our flight to Munich where we are met and transfered to Oberammergau,
site of the Passion Play for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13 • OBERAMMERGAU
Full day in Oberammergau for the Passion Play. A village in the Bavarian
Alps, famous for its woodcarving industry. In the year 1633, the town
was stricken by the plague. In desperation the people of the village
took an oath that they would stage a performance of the Passion of Jesus
every 10 years if the plague would vanish and save their town. The town
was saved and the first performance took place in 1634. From 1690 on,
the play has been performed regularly every 10 years. The play takes
almost eight hours to perform and the 124 speaking parts are performed
by inhabitants of the village. The audience is seated in a roofed auditorium
while the stage is open-air. Lunch and dinner are included.
DAY 14 • OBERAMMERGAU • MUNICH
This morning we depart Oberammergau for Munich. En route we visit the
quaint Alp and Olympic Games Resort of Garmish Parten Kirchen and on
to visit King Ludwig II’s magnificent creation, Linderhof Castle
with its cascades and gardens. Upon arrival in Munich we enjoy a guided
panoramic city tour by bus focusing on the main sights of this cultural
center: Marienplatz, the Palace, the City Hall with its famous Glockenspiel
Clock, and the Olympic Village. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 15 • MUNICH • NEW YORK
Transfer to the airport in Munich where our guide will assist us with
check in procedures. Board our hometown flight and arrive home the same
day.
We can customize any itinerary of your choosing for groups
of 20 or more.
Please contact us to obtain a competitive customized price for this
tour from your home city (800) 213 9155. Lowest airfares from your home
town!
The experts in the planning and delivery of
high quality,
worldwide, custom Christian group tours.
Please email your group request to us tours@friendshiptours.com
Back to top
 |
The experts in the planning and delivery of high quality, worldwide, custom Christian group tours. ©2005 Friendship Tours. All rights reserved Contact: tours@friendshiptours.com | Telephone: (800) 213-9155 | CST # 2069059-40 |