St. Paul’s Journey through Turkey & Greece

The Apostle Paul was an intrepid traveler in the first century. Traveling by boat and by foot, he took three missionary journeys to spread the word of Christ throughout the region. He stopped many places in Turkey and Greece and this sample itinerary includes some of the places he visited. It is meant to be customized to accommodate your time and interests.

Days 1 – 3 Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, uniquely connecting Europe and Asia. Meet your guide and driver and explore the famous sights in Istanbul’s Old City, also called Sultanahmet. Visit the impressive Hagia Sophia Museum, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque) and the ancient Basilica Cisterns. Tour the Topkapi Palace, residence to Ottoman Sultans and now an important museum. Take an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus and gain a different perspective of Istanbul.

Days 4 & 5 Troas, Assos, Troy, Pergamum & Izmir

Depart Istanbul by ferry to Bandirma and drive to Troas, which St. Paul visited several times according to the Acts of the Apostles, Corinthians 2 and Timothy 2. Tour Assos and see remains of the Temple of Athena, dating back to 530 BCE. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Troy, the city that dates from 3000 BCE and was destroyed and rebuilt many times over. Continue on to Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and view the famous Asklepion (healing center) and theatre. Arrive in Izmir, site of ancient Smyrna, another of the Seven Churches.

Day 6 Sardis, Philadelphia & Pamukkale

Drive to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. See the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium and the impressive synagogue. Stop at the site of the Philadelphia Church on the way to Pamukkale, which means “Cotton Castle,” for the natural cascading white travertines and hot springs.

Day 7 Laodicea, Aphrodisias & Kusadasi

Stroll through the ancient city of Hierapolis where Phillip was martyred and visit his octogonal martyrium. Then, dip your feet in the warm waters of Pamukkale – together they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to Laodicea, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Stroll along the columned streets of this sprawling ancient city that is still being excavated. Continue to Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, goddess of love. Tour the ancient site, and then browse its remarkable museum. Proceed to Kusadasi for overnight.

Days 8 & 9 Ephesus, Miletus, Samos & Patmos

Tour the ancient ruins of Ephesus, one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean during the 1st century. St. Paul visited Ephesus at least twice and taught there for two and half years. See the Celsus Library, Fountain of Trajan, Agora, Marble Road, Terrace Houses and the Theatre. Discover the antiquities in the Ephesus Museum and stop to see the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary. Take an excursion to the ancient Greek city of Miletus, where Paul landed on his third missionary trip. It was here that he exchanged tearful goodbyes with the Ephesian elders before sailing on to Jerusalem. Board the ferry to the Greek Island of Samos, also visited by St. Paul, and then on to Patmos.

Days 10 & 11 Patmos, Corinth & Athens

Tour Patmos and visit the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto. The Book of Revelation was written in this cave where St. John spent 18 months in exile. Board the overnight ferry to Piraeus, the port of Athens. Visit ancient Corinth, where Paul lived and preached for almost two years. See the Roman Forum, with the Bema where St. Paul pleaded his case in 52 CE; explore the Temple of Apollo, from the 6th century BCE; wander through the remains of the Agora and admire the Pyrene Fountain. Drive back to Athens for free time and overnight.

Days 12 & 13 Delphi & Meteora

Take a scenic journey to Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus. See the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, and the Treasury of the Athenians. Drive through central Greece to Kalambaka and nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora. Here, you’ll see ageless monasteries, suspended between earth and sky, and priceless historical and religious treasures. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae.

Days 14 & 15 Athens & Homeward Bound

Enjoy viewing the sights of Athens, including Syntagma Square, Parliament House, the Athens Academy, the National Library and Hadrian’s Arch. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon. Bid farewell to the ancient lands of Turkey and Greece as you depart for home.