Journeys of Paul & John

Price Per person Based on Double Occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
September 17 – October 6, 2025	$5,400*	$619
*Includes airfare from San Francisco. *Air transportation handled by Footsteps Missions. For more information, please contact Footsteps Missions at info@footstepsmissions.org 650-346-7040. Other cities are available, please inquire. Cruise price is additional (arrangements handled by Footsteps Missions), please contact Footsteps Missions / Daryl Smithgall for more information at info@footstepsmissions.org 650-346-7040. For best pricing and cabin location, please book early.

Included

Roundtrip air from San Francisco including air taxes *, 9 nights lodging at 4 star Turkey & Greece hotels, cruise prices vary by cabin (typically starting at $1,250.00 per person. For best pricing and cabin location, please book early), breakfast and dinner daily at hotel (buffet style), full time professional English speaking tour guide, all entrances as appear on itinerary, baggage handling at hotels (1 Bag), tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff, whisper headphone system, transportation in deluxe air conditioned motor coaches.
*Cruise & air transportation handled by Footsteps Missions. For more information, please contact Footsteps Missions at info@footstepsmissions.org 650-346-7040. Other cities are available, please inquire.

Not Included

All lunches & drinks with meals, optional travel insurance*
*Optional basic emergency medical insurance can be provided by Footsteps Missions. For more information, please contact Footsteps Missions at info@footstepsmissions.org 650-346-7040. Additional more comprehensive insurance is available, please inquire.

Day 1- Wednesday, September 17, 2025:

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Istanbul. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!

Day 2 - Thursday, September 18, 2025:

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to Titanic City hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Friday, September 19, 2025:

After breakfast, you will be visiting the famed Hippodrome Square which was once the sporting and social center of Constantinople, Next visit to the Basilica of Saint Sophia that was built by Justinian the Great during 6th century. Then, visit the home of the Ottoman Sultans; Topkapi Palace! Located on the very cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace was built as the center of administration of Ottoman Empire. Drive to Istanbul Airport and fly to Cappadocia. Upon arrival to Kayseri, transfer to the Dilek Kaya Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Saturday, September 20, 2025:

This morning, we will explore the Monastic Center of Goreme. This open-air museum is dotted with quaint carved-from-rock churches and chapels embellished with colorful Byzantine frescoes. Then, we will climb the natural rock citadel of Uçhisar, the tallest point in Cappadocia that boasts a spectacular view of the region. Afterwards, we are off to Ortahisar to see its gorgeous valleys and stop at the Three Beauties, the most famous of the region’s many conic rock formations. Lunch will be served a local restaurant. Today, we will also hike through the valley of Zelve and see its hundreds of carved-from-rock houses and chapels, and we will visit Pasabag Valley, also known as Monk’s Valley, to explore its tower-shaped hermitages. Next, we will descend into Özkonak Underground City before heading to the potter’s studio in Avanos, a town established by the Hittites on the banks of the Halys River. This town has carried on the Hittities’ tradition of pottery that uses the river’s famous red clay to make ceramics. Dinner and overnight at Dilek Kaya Hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 5 - Sunday, September 21, 2025:

This morning, we leave our hotel for Konya (ancient Iconium). Lystra is where the two were mistaken by the crowds for Hermes and Zeus (Acts 14:8). Later we reach Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 14:1-3). Iconium became a center of theology and philosophy for many centuries. Dinner and overnight at Bayır Diamond Hotel in Konya.

Day 6 - Monday, September 22, 2025:

After breakfast, continue towards the town Yalvac to visit the remains of the ancient city Antioch in Pisidia. Here Paul preached both to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, winning over many of the latter. It was a major center for many different cultures in this part of Asia Minor, known as Anatolia, and became the venue of important church councils. We shall walk on the Marble Road and sit on the stones that belonged to the synagogue where Paul first addressed the Gentiles together with the Jews. Dinner and overnight at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 7 - Tuesday, September 23, 2025:

After breakfast, we continue to Hierapolis, today called Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, because of its white calcium formations. We visit the visually intriguing calcium pools. A short drive to Laodicea: " I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'" (Rev. 3:15-17). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 8 - Wednesday, September 24, 2025:

After breakfast, we then continue to Philadelphia: "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (Rev. 3:8). Today’s Philadelphians still make their living from viniculture, as in Bible times. We continue our drive, through robust vineyards, to Sardis, "you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev. 3:1-6). The ruins of Sardis, dating from the Roman period, still convey its wealth. We visit the Roman gymnasium, the synagogue and the Temple of Artemis. We drive to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira, hometown of the New Testament Jezebel. The church of Thyatira was praised for its increasing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel (Rev. 2:18-28). we drive to Izmir (Smyrna), whose story goes back 5000 years. Two of its churches won high praise in Revelation 2:8-11. Among the first martyrs of Asia Minor was its bishop, Policarp, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Dinner and overnight at Kaya Thermal Hotel in Izmir.

Day 9 - Thursday, September 25, 2025:

After breakfast, we reach Pergamon, the church that John both affirmed and chastised (Rev. 2:12-17) by his famous statement “where Satan has its throne”. Pergamon was the capital of a Hellenistic Kingdom of that name, which ruled western Asia Minor. Also visit the Asklepion, the ancient medical center for the Greeks. Return to Izmir airport to fly Athens.

Day 10 - Friday, September 26, 2025:

Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are, the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. An option later this afternoon is a visit to the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 11 - Saturday, September 27, 2025:

This morning, we travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Next, we visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional 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 for the Bible. 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. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. Before returning to Athens, we will visit Cenchreae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18 states the Apostle Paul stopped at Cenchreae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow. We end our tour at Piraeus port, where you will start with your embarkation process.

Day 12 - Sunday, September 28, 2025:

• Tour Crete

Day 13 - Monday, September 29, 2025:

• Santorini (Free Day on your own)

Day 14 - Tuesday, September 30, 2025:

• Tour Ephesus

Day 15 - Wednesday, October 1, 2025::

• Mykonos (Free Day on your own)

Day 16 - Thursday, October 2, 2025:

• At Sea Day

Day 17 - Friday, October 3, 2025:

• Tour Kavala (Philippi)

Day 18 - Saturday, October 4, 2025:

• Tour Thessaloniki

Day 19 - Sunday, October 5, 2025:

• At Sea Day

Day 20 - Monday, October 6, 2025:

• Disembark and fly Home

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.