(14 day first class package) 

Available to Groups March - November

Day 1: Departure
Today we begin our adventure to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2: Arrive in Rome
Upon our arrival in Rome we will be met by a Pilgrim Tours representative and enjoy a transfer to the hotel.  We will enjoy the remainder of our day at leisure with dinner at our hotel.

Day 3: Christian Rome
After breakfast we will enjoy a full day private tour of Christian Rome to include the Vatican Museums, Coliseum and Catacombs.  Our evening will be at our leisure for dinner and overnight. 

Day 4: Rome with Overnight Ferry to Greece
After breakfast we will enjoy a free morning to shop and explore Rome on our own.  This afternoon we will be transferred by private van to the Bari port where we will board a Superfast ferry and enjoy an overnight ferry to Greece.

Day 5: Corinth and Athens
We arrive in Patras where our Pilgrim Tours representative will meet us as we enjoy a private transfer for a half day tour of Biblical Corinth.  The ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day.  We will continue to Athens for our dinner and overnight.

Day 6:  Athens
We begin our sightseeing with a tour of Athens, the birth place of democracy. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. A short walk from your hotel is the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 7: Cruising Mykonos 
We sail this afternoon from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. This evening we experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.  Cruise Ship Info

Day 8: Rhodes 
After breakfast we will visit Rhodes. This ancient fortified city was built by the knights of St. John and is rich in Roman and Greek culture. Stroll down the Street of the Knights to the market area for shopping and a wonderful Greek lunch. You may enjoy an optional tour to the ancient city of Lindos. Magnificently situated between two bays with sandy beaches, an ancient acropolis and medieval castle, Lindos is famous as a most striking and impressive city. Again we return to the ship for dinner.

Day 9: Patmos & Kusadasi, Turkey 
This morning we visit the Isle of Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument. You may choose to take an optional tour to see the fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Docking in Turkey, we tour Ephesus, the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress with miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city. We'll view the Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis and visit the Basilica of St. John. The basilica is believed to be the site of the grave of  John. From here we'll also enjoy a panoramic view of the area. Our lodging this evening will be nearby.

Day 10: Ephesus, Colossae, Aphrodisias & Laodicea 
A wealth of artifacts awaits us at the Museum of Ephesus. Colossae is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. The city of Aphrodisias thrived as the center for worship of the goddess Aphrodite until five-hundred years after Christ. Known as being "luke-warm" in the book of Revelation (Rev 3:14-22), Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium. Our lodging this evening will be in Pamukkale.

Day 11: Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna &  Pergamum
Philadelphia was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation, yet today, not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica.  Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wood originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and synagogue. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Here we'll see Polycarp's Church and the ancient commercial center where Roman statues still stand. Once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven Churches, the church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and visit the ruins of the library, which once held 200,000 volumes. The day will not be complete without a visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative. Our lodging this evening will be in Ayvalik.

Day 12: Ancient Troy/Trace 
Ancient Troy is well known for its 3rd and 4th Century BC excavations.  Don't forget to have your picture taken from the top of the Trojan Horse.  We pass by the area known as Troas, where Paul had a vision during his second missionary journey and was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-13). Paul later spent a week in Troas preaching here and Eutychus was resurrected (Acts 20:6-12).  After lunch in Canakkale, our bus boards a large ferry for the crossing of the Dardanellen to "Trace," the European portion of Turkey.  Views of the Sea of Marmara with thousands of summer homes will provide the scenery as we travel to our lodging for the next two evenings in Istanbul.

Day 13: Constantinople
The tour today will be an unusual combination of Greek Orthodox, Roman, Ottoman and modern day Islam with entrance into the famed Blue Mosque, St Sophia's and the Topkapi Palace.  Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey is a thriving seaport and commerce center with a marvelous Bazaar and Spice Market allowing for a perfect opportunity to pick up those last minute souvenirs and gift items.

Day 14: Homeward
An early morning flight will bring us home by this afternoon.