Day 1: USA - Istanbul
Depart from the USA today on an overnight flight to Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Remainder of day at leisure to explore the city where "east meets west."
Day 3: Istanbul
Today's tour will include a visit to St. Sophia Museum, built by Constantine the Great, the Underground Cistern, Topkapi Palace to see the dazzling displays of the treasures of Ottoman Sultans and the Blue Mosque famous for its magnificent interior with blue tiles and six minarets. (B, L)
Day 4: Iznik - Bursa
The Six Day Tour commences today with a drive to Iznik to visit the historic ruins of the Church of St. Sophia and the city's well preserved walls and ramparts. Continue to Bursa, home to some of the finest early Ottoman monuments in Turkey. Overnight in Bursa. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Depart today for Pergamum and visit the Asklepion, the ancient hospital, the Acropolis, the Church at the site of ancient Serapium and the Red Court dedicated to St. John. Then visit Akhisar the site of ancient Thyatira. Continue to Izmir for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Sardes - Philadelphia - Laodicea - Pamukkale
This morning drive to Sardes, the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, to visit the Church built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Proceed to Philadelphia to visit the Byzantine Basilica. On to Laodicea to visit one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. Continue to Pamukkale for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Hierapolis - Pamukkale - Kusadasi
After breakfast visit Hierapolis where St. Philip was martyred. See Pamukkale's famous calcium terraces before continuing on to Kusadasi for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Ephesus
Visit the ancient city of Ephesus, home of St. Paul and one of the largest and best preserved ancient cities in the world. Stop at the last home of the Virgin Mary and continue to St. John's Basilica and his tomb. Visit the ancient site - the Odeon, the marble street where St. Paul walked and the Temple of Artemis. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D) |
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Day 9: Kusadasi-Izmir- Istanbul-USA
Transfer from the hotel to Izmir airport for return to the USA via Istanbul.
EXTENSION
Day 9, Tue. Kusadasi
Cruise: Patmos
Transfer from the hotel to the harbour to embark on the cruise ship this morning. This afternoon's port of call is the sacred island of Patmos where St. John lived and wrote the book of Revelations. Optional tour available to the monastery and see the priceless icons and manuscripts. (B, L, D)
Day 10, Wed. Cruise: Rhodes
A full day on "the island of roses." Walk through the medieval city of Rhodes, where the crusaders gathered before sailing to the Holy Land. Join the optional excursion to Lindos where high on a hill lies the Temple of Athena overlooking the Bay of St. Paul. (B, L, D)
Day 11, Thu. Cruise:
Heraklion & Santorini
First port of call today is Heraklion, Crete home to the Palace of Knossos the center of the 3,000 B.C. Minoan civilization. On to Santorini where the cliff-top village of Thera is accessible by cable-car or donkey. (B, L, D)
Day 12, Fri. Cruise:
Piraeus - Athens
Upon disembarkation, transfer to the hotel. Remainder of day at leisure to explore the Plaka with its quaint shops and narrow cobblestone streets and the Agora. (B)
Day 13, Sat. Athens
This morning's city tour features the Acropolis, standing 230 feet above the city, the Parthenon, Syntagma Square, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 14, Sun. Athens - Argolis
Leave by the coastal road today and drive to Corinth for a short stop at the canal. On to Mycenae to visit the Lion's Gate and the Beehive Tombs. Continue to Epidaurus to visit the amphitheatre famous for its astonishing acoustics. (B, L)
Day 15, Mon. Athens - USA
Transfer after breakfast to the airport for the departure flight. (B |
