Sacred Pathways – Light Over the Ancient Lands

Greek & Turkey Biblical Journey – Istanbul – Pergamon – Ephesus – Patmos – Athens.

What is included?

12 nights/ 13 days 2 nights in ISTANBUL, KUŞADASI, & ATHENS on HB basis

1 night in BERGAMA, PAMUKKALE,ÇANAKKALE, KAVALA, THESSALONIKI & KALAMBAKA on HB basis

R/T airport/port transfers

R/T Ferry tickets are included

All sightseeing tours, mentioned in the itinerary, with Lunch and entrance fees

Air-conditioned vehicle and 2*500 ml bottle of water per day during the tours

English speaking professional guides

Day 1 – Istanbul: Arrival to Istanbul

Transfer to the hotel. Spend the evening at leisure, explore nearby streets or relax before your exciting journey begins. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Overnight stay at Istanbul –

Day 2 – Istanbul

After breakfast we will visit Byzantine Church Chora Museum which is famous with its colourful mosaics and frescoes. The outer and inner narthexes are decorated with magnificent sequential scenes that could be considered among masterworks of mosaics, narrating mainly the life and miracles of Jesus Christ, and the life of Virgin Mary, respectively. On the other hand, in the preclusion, religious stories from the Old Testament and scenes such as the judgement day, resurrection and last judgement are depicted in frescoes. Then we will pass to the Sultanahmet area and walk through the Roman Hippodrome, a stadium, built by the Roman Emperors in 203 A.D. Next visit will be Saint Sophia (Hagia Sophia) which is one of the masterpiece of world architecture. It was build at the 6th century as a church. Finally we will visit the Grand Bazaar, probably the largest market of its kind in the world, with more than 3500 shops. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Overnight stay at Istanbul –

Day 3 – Pergamon

After early breakfast and checkout, we drive through the famous Gazi Bridge and we reach Iznik. We will visit St. Sophia Church (Hagia Sophia) where the first Ecumenical Council of 300 Bishops participated in AD 325 July. During this Council the Nicene Creed was formed and documented. After lunch, continue to Pergamon visit Travel to Bergama, then we visit the Church of St John. We visit Acropolis of Pergamon where St. John warns the church about immorality and idol worships the rich and powerful ancient Greek City in Mysia, which is reached with a cable-car ride, the breath-taking Hellenistic theater, the temples of Trajan and Athena, the foundations of the Altar of Zeus. Dinner and overnight in Bergama.

Overnight stay at Bergama –

Day 4 – Thyatira – Sardis – Philadelphia – Leodicia

After breakfast drive to Thyatira (Akhisar), the church known for its charity, whose “latter works are greater than the former”; held the teachings of a false prophetess, a city of artisans’ guilds in St. Paul’s time. Second stop is Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of these seven churches. It is here St. John expressed his concern for pushing further with the progress of the city’s faith. Continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir), a favorite city of Paul and John. Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive to Leodicia, was another prosperous city in the chain, where Christianity first spread. Then move to Pamukkale and check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Overnight stay at Pamukkale –

Day 5 – Hierapolis – Ephesus

First we visit city of Hierapolis along with the spectacular thermal pools of Pamukkale. Lunch at a local restaurant prior driving to Ephesus. It was the home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 A.D. Next we visit the Virgin Mary’s House on a wooded hilltop where it was miraculously discovered. Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası.

Overnight stay at Kuşadası –

Day 6 – Patmos

After early breakfast transfer to Kuşadası Port to get a ferry to Patmos. Upon arrival we start of the tour at the island where St. John the divine wrote the Book of Apocalypse. Visit the Monastery of St. John Theologos, built in the 11th century, where we enjoy the panoramic view in the Grotto of St. Anna. Last stop is the place where St. John lived and wrote The Book of Revelations. We then proceed for lunch and free time to explore island. In the afternoon board your ferry back to Kuşadası. Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası.

Overnight stay at Kuşadası –

Day 7 – Smyrna – Çanakkale

After early breakfast drive towards Izmir. Upon a panoramic city tour visit Smyrna, the church admired for its tribulation and poverty; forecast to suffer persecution and Polycarp Church. Continue to drive to Çanakkale with lunch served along the way. Check-in the hotel, dinner and overnight in Çanakkale.

Overnight stay at Çanakkale –

Day 8 – Çanakkale – Kavala

After breakfast drive to İpsala border gate. Complete passport control and change the vehicle to continue following the divine light beyond the border. Continue driving drive to Kavala. Arrive in the afternoon, check-in and overnight in Kavala.

Overnight stay at Kavala –

Day 9 – Kavala / Philippi – Thessaloniki

After breakfast start exploring Kavala (ancient Neapolis), where St. Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy first set foot in Europe. Visit Philippi, where Paul preached his first sermon in Europe and baptized a woman, named Lydia, Europe’s first convert to Christianity. View the Roman City Forum and early Basilicas and where St. Paul was imprisoned and later released.

End of the visits drive to Thessaloniki. Arrive in cosmopolitan Thessaloniki, where Byzantine grandeur meets contemporary elegance. Admire the iconic White Tower of Thessaloniki and stroll through the stately expanse of Aristotelous Square. As the sun dips into the Aegean horizon, indulge in refined waterfront dining in the city’s most stylish quarter. Overnight at Thessaloniki.

Overnight stay at Thessaloniki –

Day 10 – Thessaloniki – Kalambaka

Journey south to Kalambaka, gateway to the awe-inspiring rock cathedrals of Meteora. Visit the majestic Great Meteoron Monastery, where centuries-old devotion meets breathtaking panoramas. Conclude the day with a golden sunset suspended high above the Thessalian plains. Overnight at Kalambaka.

Overnight stay at Kalambaka –

Day 11 – Athens

Arrive in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. After transfer to your hotel, unwind and enjoy a leisurely evening exploring the atmospheric streets of Plaka and Monastiraki, filled with cafés, boutiques, and timeless charm. Overnight at Athens.

Overnight stay at Athens –

Day 12 – Athens

Discover the grandeur of ancient Greece on a guided city tour. Visit the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon, explore the world-class Acropolis Museum and view the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the historic Panathenaic Stadium, birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Afternoon at leisure or optional sunset visit to Cape Sounion. Overnight in Athens.

Overnight stay at Athens –

Day 13 – Back to Home

With memories of sunlit ruins, sacred monasteries and sapphire seas, bid farewell to this land of legends.