GREECE / TURKEY
The Seven Churches (Three-Day Cruise)

Day 1 - Athens
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Athens

Day 2 - Athens / Corinth
This morning we will do a city sightseeing tour that will include a visit to the world-renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Ereclheum and Propylea. Thereafter, we will ascend Mars Hill, where Paul preached. (Acts 17: 15-34). We see the Agora (ancients market place, and former center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Presidential Palace. Drive to visit Corinth, seeing the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, and the Market Place and Temples. Corinth was home to Paul for 18 months. From the Bema, he spoke to the Corinthians of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Acts 18: 1-17). On the way to Corinth, we stop for a few minutes at the Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponese from the Greek mainland and connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Take a picture here and try the famous Greek souvlaki. Return to Athens. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Athens.

Day 3 - Mykonos
Transfer to the port of Piraeus to embark on a 3-day cruise. Arrive at Mykonos, disembarkation and free time to visit the island. Embarkation and dinner on board. Late in the evening depart for Rhodes.

Day 4 - Rhodes
In the morning arrival at the island of Rhodes. Disembarkation and free time to visit the island or to take an optional excursion on the island of Rhodes and Lindos. In the evening, embarkation and dinner on board.

Day 5 - Patmos / Kusadasi
Arrival at Patmos and visit the Monastery of St. John's where the apocalyptic book of Revelations was written. After visiting Patmos, continue to Kusadasi. Lunch on board. Disembark and transfer to hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Ephesus / Aphrodicias / Pamukkale
Morning visit Ephesus, one of the world's finest archaeological sites. Visit the Arcadian way, the splendid façade of the Library of Celsus and see the Amphitheater, which is still used for concerts, and where St. Paul also preached to Ephesians that "gods made by human hands are not gods at all". Visit also the church of the Virgin Mary where the third Ecumenical Council was held in 431. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary spectacularly situated above the ruins. One strongly believed tradition is that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, and that she spent the rest of her days in this house on the hilltop. The home of the Virgin Mary in now visited by thousands of pilgrims each year, both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II celebrated mass here and in the Church of the Virgin Mary. Continue to to Aphrodisias. Visit the beautifully excavated Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, with its near perfect stadium, theater, Odeon and temple. Transfer to the hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Laodecia / Philadelphia / Sardis / Izmir
After breakfast. View Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) - an apt description of the natural phenomenon of fantastic white limestone terraces, then visit Laodicea, which was at the crossroads between Sardis and Perge. Continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir). Philadelphia together with Smyrna were the only two churches among the Seven about which nothing bad was said by St. John. Visit the Byzantine basilica with some 11th century frescoes. At sunset visit the ruins of the necropolis and the great baths of Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches. For the first time in history, King Croesus of Sardis minted pure gold and pure silver coins, which were guaranteed at their face value by the state. Visit the temple, the Byzantine church, the Roman-era synagogue and the gymnasium. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 8 - Izmir / Pergamum / Thyatira
In the morning visit the St. Polycarpos Church in Izmir. Polycarpos was an early member of the Christian church in Smyrna and served as a bishop here from 115 to 156Ad. In 156 he was arrested by the Romans and put to death. Then drive to Pergamum, impressive site of an ancient kingdom Visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and the famous library, before viewing the ruins of Asklepion. The largest building of the Roman period is the Red Court (Red Basilica), which later on was used as a church dedicated to St. John the Apostle. Continue to Thyatira (Akhisar), site of one of the Seven Churches. Visit the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, a colonnaded road, and ruins of the large church. Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - Pergamum / Troy
Drive north through the rich olive orchards along the Aegean coast to Bergama, the ancient Pergamum, the impressive site of an ancient kingdom. Visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, and the famous library, before viewing the ruins of Asklepeion. Continue to Homer's Troy. Visit the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other, and an enormous reconstruction of the famous Wooden Horse. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 10 - Canakkale / Gallipoli / Istanbul
Morning drive to Gallipoli, crossing the strategic Dardanelle straits. Visit Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery, scene of fierce fighting in World War 1. Arrive in Istanbul for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - Istanbul
Visit St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. See the Hippodrome, the center of sporting (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Then see the Blue Mosque, facing St. Sophia famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets built in the name of the Sultan Ahmet. The Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts displays an art collection from different civilizations of Anatolia. The Grand Bazaar is the most attractive shopping center and the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets and leatherwear. The Topkapi Palace was the Imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and calligraphy. The Suleymaniye Mosque is a masterpiece of famous architect Sinan, built in the name of Suleyman the Magnificent during the 16th century. The Basilica Cistern is the largest and most ornate cistern of the many underground cisterns that were built during the Byzantine Empire. In its construction columns and capitals of earlier temples were used and this provides a very decorative appearance. Return to you hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 Istanbul / USA
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to USA