12 Days Steps of St Paul plus Istanbul - Land Only

Itinerary:

DAY 1, SUNDAY - BOSTON -ATHENS:  Overnight flight to Athens via Turkish Airlines

DAY 2, MONDAY - ATHENS: Tour begins on Arrival in Athens. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.  Enjoy this evening's welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)    Royal Olympic Hotel 5*                           

DAY 3, TUESDAY - ATHENS : After breakfast we enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide  visiting the  ACROPOLIS with the Parthenon and  AREOPAGUS, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34).  Continue for a visit at the Acropolis Museum with its artifacts.  (B)  Royal Olympic Hotel 5*                           

DAY 4, WEDNESDAY - ATHENS / THESSALONIKI:  After an early breakfast, disembark your ship and depart north for Thessaloniki. We will stop for a coffee break at Kamena Vourla, a seaside resort. Next a photo stop at Thermopylae, site of the famous Greek-Persian battle where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans heroically held the Persians.  Continue to Thessaloniki. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour  of this city, named after Alexander the Great's   sister, and which figures prominently in the New Testament at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. This community was the center of St. Paul's activities in Northern Greece. He preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians).  Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization with an impressive collection of many Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts.  Check in at our hotel in Thessaloniki for our two night stay.  (B, D)    Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki 4*  

DAY 5, THURSDAY - THESSALONIKI: Excursion to Philippi and Kavala: Full Day Excursion along the ancient route of St. Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). Journey to ancient Philippi, which was named after the father of  Alexander the Great. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, St. Paul preached, established the first  church in Europe, and was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40-Philippians). It was in   this area that St. Paul met Lydia, a dealer in  purple cloth.  She and  her household accepted  Christ and were   baptized in  the nearby   river   (Acts 16: 11-15).  Continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16: 9-11). Return to Thessaloniki for dinner / overnight. (B, D)

DAY 6, FRIDAY - THESSALONIKI / VERIA / KALAMBAKA: This morning after breakfast, we say farewell to Thessaloniki, next stop Veria (Berea of the New Testament), where St. Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessaloniki (Acts 17: 5-15). Visit the Bema of St. Paul, where St. Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue with early afternoon arrival in Kalambaka. Visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora atop 1000-1200 ft. cliffs. You will visit ageless monasteries containing priceless historical and religious treasures standing suspended between earth and sky. In Meteora, visit VARLAAM and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERIES. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world.  Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B, D)    Hotel Divani Meteora 4*

DAY 7, SATURDAY -  KALAMBAKA / DELPHI / PATRA: In the morning we continue south to Delphi. The ancient site of Delphi is one of the most historical destinations in Greece and one of the most important archaeological site in the world. Visits include the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, the 5th-century bronzed Charioteer and the intriguing Archaeological Museum filled with ancient artifacts. Continue over the Rio bridge to Patra . Dinner and overnight in Patra.  Certain days the tour uses Delphi hotel.  (B, D)     Amalia Hotel Delphi 4*     

DAY 8, SUNDAY - DELPHI / CORINTH / ATHENS:  After breakfast we continue to ancient Corinth, a major commercial crossroads in the time of the Apostle Paul and the city where Paul spent over a year in ministry (Acts 18:11). We will see the very road that Saint Paul walked on almost 2000 years ago when he entered the city. We will stand on the Bema platform where Paul’s case was dismissed by Roman proconsul Gallio (Acts 18:12).  You will have time for a leisurely lunch at your expense at one of the Corinthian tavernas prior to continuing  to see  the Corinthian canal which connects the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. Late afternoon check-in at your Athens hotel. (B)     Royal Olympic Hotel 5*  or Sofitel Athens Airport 5*    

DAY 9, MONDAY - ATHENS / ISTANBUL: Late afternoon departure with late arrival in Istanbul. Welcome to Turkey, meet staff and transfer to your hotel. (B)

DAY 10, TUESDAY - Istanbul City Tour or Biblical Tour:  Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for a day tour of old Istanbul city. Experience Istanbul’s timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city’s stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of St. Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers and generals at Topkapi Palace, where Ottomans ruled for hundreds of years. Visit an Orthodox church turned Ottoman mosque before finishing your tour in the vibrant Grand Bazaar, browsing bright displays of handicrafts, carpets and souvenirs. (B, D)

DAY 11, WEDNESDAY - Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour: Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. Visit the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see many magnificent sights. Tonight join your fellow travelers for our “farewell dinner”  celebrating the end of a fabulous trip while sharing with your newly acquainted friends, some of the beautiful memories that you have experienced on this tour. Step into the rich world of Turkish culture and cuisine with a 4-hour dinner and show in Istanbul. Watch a series of performers take the stage, from whirling dervishes to belly dancers, and traditional folk dancers from around the country. (B, D)

DAY 12, THURSDAY - ISTANBUL  / USA:  Mid-morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) 

LAND TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:

· Transfers throughout tour Airport - Hotels - Airport

· 3 Nights Deluxe Hotel Accommodations in Athens

· 5 Days/ 4 Nights First Class Hotel Accommodations - Thessaloniki, Kalambaka, r Delphi

· 17 meals - 10 Breakfast, 7 Dinners per itinerary

· Professional English speaking guide throughout  

· Athens City Tour, entrance fees Acropolis & Museum

· 5 Day Steps of St. Paul Motorcoach Tour. Includes all sightseeing and entrance fees

· 3 Nights First Class Hotel Accommodations in Istanbul, Turkey

· Sightseeing tours in Istanbul per itinerary

· Welcome to Athens Dinner - Great time to Meet & Acquaint with the group

· Farewell Dinner in Istanbul - Share the highlights with your newly acquainted friends

· All Hotel taxes throughout

· Porterage for 1 suitcase per passenger.  (Hotel has baggage service to allow extra baggage for your return home)

· Information packet included plus much more

Price Excludes      

Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food  not indicated in the itinerary, expenses of a personal nature, excess luggage and transfer of the same, optional excursions &  excursions during the cruise, gratuities of any kind, Personal expenses, Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts