The pilgrimage starts with a flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, Turkey. For the next couple of days, we will embark on a spiritual journey to experience the well known pilgrimage sites and culture of Turkey & Greece.

Arrive in Istanbul and welcomed by your guide and driver waiting outside of the terminal at the airport and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at Istanbul hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the day with a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar, the second-largest covered market in Istanbul. Its name comes from the herbs and spices historically imported from or through Egypt. While the Grand Bazaar is the most famous, the Egyptian Bazaar is the most colorful and fragrant—offering visitors the chance to sample goods like Turkish delight, dried fruits, exotic spices, and herbs. Next, enjoy a private boat cruise along the Bosphorus, where you'll admire stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline, featuring landmarks such as Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge. In the afternoon, explore the hidden gems of Fener and Balat, the historic Jewish quarter. These neighborhoods once symbolized interfaith coexistence during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Though later neglected, they are now part of a UNESCO-sponsored revitalization project. Wander through their narrow streets lined with wooden mansions, synagogues, and churches. Visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George, considered the Orthodox equivalent of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. End the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar—the largest oriental market in the world, with over 4,000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, carpets, gold, leather goods, and more. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.

After breakfast and check-out, begin with a visit to Hippodrome Square, once the sporting and social hub of Constantinople, home to historic monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column. Learn from your guide how city leaders protected Constantinople throughout history. Next, explore the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the most important Christian sites in the world. Then, visit Topkapı Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, now a museum housing treasures, porcelain, weapons, and sacred relics. In the afternoon, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Thessaloniki — an important New Testament city where St. Paul preached and established a church. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow pilgrims. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Today, the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Thessalonians come to life as we explore the charming port city of Thessaloniki. Highlights include the old city walls, the recently excavated Forum, St. George Church (a Roman monument turned church), the Galerius Arch on the ancient Via Egnatia, the White Tower, and the Basilica of St. Demetrius. Next, we travel to Philippi and Kavala. Kavala, one of Greece’s most beautiful mainland ports, was where Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke first landed in Europe. Known in ancient times as Neapolis, it later became Christoupolis—the first European city to embrace Christianity. We’ll see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis. In Philippi, where Paul preached his first sermon in Europe, we’ll visit Lydia’s baptismal site and a Roman-era crypt believed to have held Paul in prison. Other stops include the Acropolis, Market Place, Basilica, and Theatre. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Today we start our day by visiting Berea to view the synagogue where Paul preached. We stop at the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church. Then we drive to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint island of Mykonos, called the isle of windmills. We’ll get a chance to explore the shops and cafes by the waterfront and the maze of walkways by the whitewashed houses. Then we’ll return to the ship for dinner and the evening entertainment.

Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi, and enjoy an included excursion to Ancient Ephesus, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26; Ephesians) and which was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and to the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos, with free time to discover the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. We visit the Monastery of St. John and to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile (Rev. 1:9-11). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Today you will spend the whole day in the unique island of Rhodes. Today we can have free day in the old town or take the shore excursion to see the location where Paul stopped on his way back to Palestine (Acts 21: 1) for his trial and imprisonment (not included - excursion optional).

Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands (SHORE EXCURSION NOT INCLUDED). You will tour to Heraklion and see the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. This afternoon we will visit the island of Santorini, perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. (SHORE EXCURSION IS INCLUDED). We’ll enjoy a panoramic bus tour viewing some of the most spectacular scenery of the Aegean. We’ll travel through villages and settlements with delicate architecture before arriving in the town of Oia. Here we’ll have some free time before returning to the ship for dinner.

After disembarkation, visit the ancient city of Corinth, where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord (Acts 18:10). Here, many, including Crispus, believed and were baptized, forming the early church to whom Paul later wrote his epistles. Explore the Archaeological Museum, Marketplace, and Temples, and stand on the Bema where Paul stood trial before Gallio. Continue to Athens to experience its rich classical heritage. Visit the Acropolis, including the Propylaea, Parthenon, and Erechtheum. Stand on Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the Athenians about the “Unknown God” (Acts 17:23), and see the Agora, where he preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). View the House of Parliament, Presidential Palace, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

At agreed time, a group transfer to Istanbul International Airport to catch our flight back home.