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Footsteps of St. Paul
Turkey and Greece
11 Nights / 12 Days
2 nights in Istanbul
2 nights in Kusadasi
1 night in Canakkale
1 night in Kavala
1 night in Thessaloniki
1 night in Kalambaka
3 nights in Athens
Arrive any day
DAY 01 – ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by a Ya’lla Tours USA representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 02 – ISTANBUL
Drive to St. Sophia – a Christian Basilica conceived by Constantine in the 4th century, and converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. See the beautiful mosaics displayed at the museum. Continue with a visit to the Underground Cisterns System located near St. Sophia. Notice the 336 marble columns supporting the roof, two of which rest on Medusa head bases. Then stroll around the historical Hippodrome where chariot races were held.
Next, visit the Mosaic Museum and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
End the day at the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered bazaar in the world. Get your Christmas presents and more in the most vibrant, exciting shopping place in the world.
Return to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 03 – KUSADASI
Visit the legendary Blue Mosque, decorated with beautiful 17th century Iznik tiles. Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, built in the 16th century for Suleiman the Magnificent; and Topkapi Palace, legendary, residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
Drive to the Church of St. Savoir in Chora (Kariye Museum). The church of the Monastery of Chora, dating back to the reign of Theodosius II (408-50), was rebuilt by Justinian after the earthquake of 558. In the 12th century, it was again restored by order of Maria Dukas, a niece of Alexios Komnenos. There are remnants of mosaics belonging to that period, but the superb masterpieces whose fame has spread throughout the world date from the 14th century. Above the front door, you can still make out a kneeling Theodosius offering Christ a model of the church. The whole story of the beginnings of Christianity is told on these walls, with a careful realism far removed from the formal Byzantine images of God in His glory, hieratic saints and emperors. The Turks converted the church of the Holy Savior in Chora into the Kariye Cami in the reign of Bayezit II (1481-1512).
Then transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Izmir. In Izmir, you will be met by Ya’lla Tours USA’s local representative and transferred to Kusadasi and your hotel for dinner and overnight.
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DAY 04 – KUSADASI
Drive to Ephesus, the only Greco – Roman site in the world that gives an idea of the grandeur of bygone centuries. Ephesus is another city of the Seven Churches of the Revelation and an ancient large port with a population of over 250,000. The city played a major role in the development of architecture, religion, economic systems and arts.
St. Paul lived and preached in Ephesus and the third ecumenical council took place here in 431. Tour the ancient city with its legendary marble streets, the magnificent theater, Hadrian's temple and the library of Celsus.
Then visit the archaeological museum of Selcuk, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 05 – CANAKKALE
Drive to Pergamum, the most favored of the Seven Churches. Christianity reached Pergamum very early and its church was praised for its forbearance in times of persecution. It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome.
Visit the stunning Acropolis of the Hellenistic city, perched 1,000 feet above the town. Remains include, the Altar of Zeus, palaces, the temples of Trajan and Dionysus and the world’s steepest amphitheater.
In the afternoon, drive north to Canakkale and the ancient site of Troy, the legendary town in the Iliad of Homer. The first excavations were made by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1871 and revealed that Troy was not just a myth. See the excavations showing several layers of this civilization, and the replica of the infamous Wooden Horse. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 06 – KAVALA
Drive to the Greece border. After crossing the border, continue to Kavala (Neopolis in the New Testament). See the attractive port and the 16th century aqueduct, built by Suleiman the Magnificent.
Arrive at your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 07 – THESSALONIKI
Visit Philippi, the first great city in Europe visited by Paul. It lies astride the Via Egnatia, the road that connects Rome with Constantinople. Visit the extensive ruins of Philippi and see where Paul was imprisoned. Walk by the stream near the modern village of Lydia, where the first baptism in Europe took place.
Drive to Thessaloniki, also known as Salonika. Visit St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church; and the Galerius Arch, which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. Also see two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city: St. Dimetrius, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert; and St. Sophia.
Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
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DAY 08 – KALAMBAKA
Drive to Dion to visit the ancient site of Veria (Berea of Acts 17), a modern shrine commemorating Paul’s visit. Continue to the famous Meteora Monasteries, perched unbelievably high (some over 1,000 feet) on gigantic columnar rocks. The monasteries have been occupied since the 11th century, and were an important center of art during the Byzantine period. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 09 – ATHENS
Drive to Delphi. Nestling in the mountains of Parnassus, with an unforgettable view across acres of olive trees as far as the Gulf of Corinth, Delphi was the site of the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Visit the city treasuries, the delicate, 5th century Charioteer statue and other priceless art treasures discovered nearby. Continue to Athens and your hotel for overnight.
DAY 10 – ATHENS
Start your tour of the city by ascending to the Acropolis and the full splendor of the 5th century B.C. Athens. Visit the Propylaria (Gateway), the Temple of Athena Nike (Victory), the Parthenon, and the Erechteion. Upon descent, pass Mars Hill and an inscription of Paul's famous sermon. The expansive Agora, where ancient philosophers counseled and taught, lies below.
Continue to modern Athens and visit the parliament with its famous guards, the Plaka area and other sites of this incredible city.
Then visit the National Archaeological Museum.
In the afternoon, drive to Cape Sounion along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and splendid views of the Saronic Gulf. Stop for a visit of the Vravrona Sanctuary.
Beautiful Cape Sounion is dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Return to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 11 – ATHENS
Drive along the historic coast road to Corinth. On the left, as the Saronic Gulf comes into view, lies the Island of Salamis, scene of the greatest sea battle of ancient times; and on the right we pass Eluesis and Megara. Paul ministered for nearly two years in Corinth, and wrote the earliest New Testament writings, The Letters to Thessalonians. The columns of the temple of Apollo dominate the agora. See the tribunal before which Paul was dragged, and where Gallio refused to pass judgment on him. Continue to the beautiful Peloponnese, and the ancient city of Mycenae, the very center of Europe's first civilization.
Drive through the acropolis of Argos and the ruins of Tiryns to the charming harbor of Nauplion. In Nauplion, visit the theatre of Epidauros and the ruins of the asklepion (ancient health center). Return Athens for overnight.
DAY 12–
You will be transferred to Athens airport for your departure flight.
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Prices are available on request.
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TOUR INCLUDES:
• One way airfare from Istanbul to Izmir
• 11 nights accommodations with daily breakfast
• 6 dinners
• 10 days of touring in a private, air-conditioned car or van with a licensed, English- speaking guide
• Private transfers
• Entrance fees
• Portage at airport and hotels
• Hotel taxes and service fees
• Ya’lla Tours USA Passenger Information Kit
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