The pilgrimage starts with a flight from Los Angeles, California to Istanbul, Turkey. We embark on a spiritual journey to experience the well known pilgrimage sites of Turkey & Greece.

You will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver and transferred to the hotel in Istanbul for check-in, dinner and overnight stay. (Dinner included)

We will begin our day with a morning of shopping at Eminönü’s Spice Bazaar. Also, known as the Egyptian Bazaar, this large covered market has remained the city’s center for spice trade since its creation in the 17th century. Then, we will embark on a cruise of the Bosphorus, the winding straight that separates Europe and Asia and connects the Black Sea with the inland Sea of Marmara. This is our time to relish the views of the old wooden mansions, Ottoman palaces, and ancient fortresses that dot the river’s coast. Then, we will drive to Golden Horn and we will visit Balat, the historic Jewish Quarter that, during the Byzantine and Ottoman times, epitomized the climate of inter-religious coexistence that has always characterized this city. However, with increasing Jewish flight from the neighborhood, was largely neglected until it recently became the focus of a redevelopment project sponsored by UNESCO. Fener (Phanar) where its labyrinthine streets are lined with old wooden mansions, churches, and synagogues that date back to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Here, we will also visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George, which is for the Orthodox believers the equivalent of St. Peter in Rome for the Catholics and finally Bulgarian steel church. Then, we will end our day with an evening of shopping at the Grand Bazaar, the massive covered market that houses a labyrinth of streets lined with shops selling jewelry, leather products and many other handcrafted souvenirs. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner included)

After enjoying our Turkish breakfast, we depart from our hotel and begin our tour of the historical highlights of Istanbul. First, we will stroll through Hippodrome Square, the former sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted chariot races during the Roman period. Afterwards, we visit the domed masterpiece of the Hagia Sophia before we head to Topkapi Palace. Located on the very cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace is the former abode of Ottoman Sultans that still houses their legion of treasures, including an extensive collection of royal jewels. At the end of the tour , you will be transferring to the airport for a short flight to Thessaloniki. 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 Paul’s activities in Northern Greece. It is where he preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians). This evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel with your traveling companions. (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Full-day tour along the ancient route of Apostle 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, 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 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). Next, continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). Dinner and overnight. (Breakfast & Dinner included)

This morning, stop in Veria (Beroea of the New Testament), where Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessalonika (Acts 17:5-15). Visit the Bema, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue to Athens where will have an orientation tour before check in. Dinner and overnight. (Breakfast & Dinner included)

We transfer to the port of Piraeus to begin our 3-night Greece and Turkey cruise with a visit to the mountainous island of Mykonos. Free time to explore the island before returning to the ship for evening entertainment.

(Breakfast & Dinner included)

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). Through the tour we will see the St. Paul Beach where he had stopped in our way to the Acropolis of Lindos. Return to the old city/castle of Rhodes surrounded by the walls and enjoy this historical place. Back to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. Overnight Olympia ship. (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

This morning we arrive in Heraklion. The capital of Crete is a former Venetian harbor with representative architecture and art. Our included tour of the city takes us on a short drive to visit the church of St Titus, a disciple of the Apostle Paul and the first Bishop of Crete. And we will visit the Venetian Loggia, Basilica of St Mark, medieval monastery of St Catherine and the Cathedral of St. Minas. This afternoon our cruise will reach Santorini one of the most unique places of the world to admire its geography, a result of an earthquake that took place many centuries ago. We can take the shore excursion to Oia Village and Fira (the capital) or we just have free time to explore the unique capital on the Caldera over the volcanic hill and is accessible either by foot, donkey ride or by the cable car.

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

Today we will drive to Corinth to visit of the archaeological site where Apostle Paul who worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). We will see also the handmade Corinth Canal connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Seas. Return to Athens to visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. (Acts 17:15-34). You will also have a panoramic tour to see the Parliament House, the Academy, Omonia Square and Panathenaic Stadium .You will have free time in Plaka area ,the ancient city of Athens. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Today we will say goodbye to Athens, drive to the airport for our flight back home with our great memories. (Breakfast included)