Day 12-5/23

 (D)

 Thessaloniki / Istanbul

·      Arrive to the Greek-Turkish border. Our licensed bus will be waiting Greek Side of the Border for the border crossing. Then board on our luxury bus and we start our drive to Istanbul. After check-in, our tour director will brief our guests about the Biblical Itinerary.

·      Dinner and an overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 13-5/24

 (B-D)

Istanbul

·      After breakfast, we will start our full day, sightseeing tour of Istanbul. First, we will visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik (modern name: Nicaea) tiles and unique with 6 minarets. After the Blue Mosque, we will walk to the Hippodrome, which was the center of sports events (chariots races and athletic games) and political activities in the old city. From the Hippodrome, we will walk to Hagia Sophia, which is right across from the Blue Mosque. Built as the church of divine wisdom, it is still one of the greatest marvels of architecture in the World. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian constructed it as a basilica in the 6th century. Hagia Irini (Eirene) Church will be our next visit (in the Topkapi Palace Garden). It was built as a church dedicated to divine peace on the former site of a temple of Aphrodite. Constantine the Great had it built in 324 AD. In the afternoon, we will continue with a tour of the Topkapi Palace Museum, which was the imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans. Today in the rooms of this palace, there are exhibits of the imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and Holy Relics (the Sword of King David, the staff of Moses, the Turban of Joseph, Relics of St. John the Baptist). We will end the day after a visit to the Grand Bazaar. It is the biggest oriental bazaar (market) in the World with around 4,000 shops, which sell antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leather, etc. ** Unique Moment: During the visit of the Grand Bazaar we will taste Turkish coffee in Sark Kahvesi, a 400 year old Turkish Coffee House. A variety of Turkish coffee and tea will be available.

·      Dinner and an overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 14-5/25

 (B-D)

 Istanbul

·      After breakfast, we will set off for a full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Today’s itinerary will start with a visit of Chora Church (Museum of Kariye –in Edirne Kapi district). It was built originally as a church of a Byzantine Monastery. The best-preserved Byzantine Mosaics in Turkey, depicting Biblical scenes, are in this church.

Then we will visit the Patriarchate  and after a short drive to space market lunch time

The Spice Market will be our visit. Built in the 17th century, this is the second largest oriental covered bazaar in Istanbul. In the Spice Market, the enchanting and savory aroma of exotic oils, herbs and spices hang in the air. People looking for herbs, spices, tea and Turkish delight (candy) have frequented this 350-year-old market for centuries. Today also selling nuts, honey, dried fruits, traditional sweets, and herbal remedies, the Spice Bazaar’s vendors will try to lure you into their shops with their amusing calls.  ** Unique Moment : During the visit of Spice Market, we will have a short break at  Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s shop – the inventor of Turkish delight. Since 1777 (when it was founded), the name Haci Bekir has become a legend in Ottoman and Turkish confectionery and a leading symbol of this gastronomical art. After the Spice Market, we will take a short walk to the Rustem Pasha Mosque. The Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan designed it for the Grand Vizier “Damat” Rustem Pasha (husband of Princess Mihrimah, the beloved daughter of the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent). The construction took 2 years from 1561 to 1563. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its’ exquisite Iznik tiles, displaying a wide variety of beautiful floral and geometric designs, which cover the Rustem Pasha Mosque inside out. These tiles exhibit a cherry-red color, which was the characteristic feature of the early Iznik period tiles (1555-1620).

·      .we will embark on a private boat and we will arrive in chalki we will have a short tour with carriages to chalki school visit and return walking to the port by boat return to the port and transfer back to the hotel dinner overnight at hotel

Day 15-5/26

 (B-D)

Istanbul / Troy / Canakkale

·      After breakfast we will begin our scenic ride to Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey and cross the second strategic waterway, the Dardanelles Strait by ferry. We will drive through the city of Canakkale to Troy. After visiting the legendary site of the ruins of Troy, we will drive back to Canakkale to our hotel.

·      Dinner and an overnight will be at our hotel in Canakkale

Day 16-5/27

 (B-D)

 Canakkale / Troas / Pergamum / Izmir

·      After breakfast, we will drive to Alexandria Troas, (Acts 16: 8-11; 20:5, 6, II; Tim. 4:13; II Cor. 2:12), which was a significant port for travelling between Anatolia and Europe during the Roman era. Paul of Tarsus sailed to Europe for the first time from Alexandria Troas. Troas was visited at least twice by St. Paul. In his third journey, we know that St. Paul also traveled by land from Alexandria Troas to Assos.  In Troas, we visit the theater, the Temple of Athena, and the agora. After that, we will drive to Pergamum. On the 1,200 ft. high Acropolis, we will see the steepest sloped theatre of the ancient world, the Temple of Trajan, and the Library. We will continue our tour with a visit of the Asklepion, which were one of the 3 famous hospitals in the ancient world. We will also visit the Red Basilica, which was one of the seven Churches of the Revelation. In the late afternoon, we will drive to the city of Izmir. Upon arrival, depending on timing, we will have a short city tour of Izmir, the ancient Smyrna.

·      Dinner and an overnight will be at hotel in Izmir.

Day 17-5/28

 (B-D)

 Izmir / Sardis / Philadelphia / Laodicea / Hierapolis / Pamukkale

·      <image002.jpg>After breakfast, we will start our busy day with a visit at Thyatira to look at the standing columns. Don’t expect too much from Thyatira as not much has been excavated. Continue onto   Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia. We will see the Temple of Diana (which later became a church), the earliest built Synagogue discovered so far in Turkey and the Gymnasium. Sardis was one of the 7 Churches of Revelation. After Sardis, we will drive to Philadelphia, which was also one of the 7 Churches of Revelation. After the visit, we will drive to Laodicea, which has been extensively excavated non-stop all year round since 2009. Laodicea was one of the 7 Churches and this is the only one today where the exact location of the Church has been discovered.

·      Dinner and an overnight will be in Karahayit (Pamukkale).

Day 18-5/29

 (B-D)

 Pamukkale / Hierapolis / Ephesus / Kusadasi

·      After breakfast, our next visit will be the ruins of Hierapolis, with its beautiful calcium deposit covered travertine terraces, the ancient Necropolis, baths, theatre, and St. Philips’s Martyrdom. After this visit, we will drive to the worldwide famous Ephesus area and visit the house of the Virgin Mary, where she was said to have spent her last years. After that, we will proceed to the Ephesus ruins, where excavations are also still going on. We will see the Odeon, the Bouleterion, the fountains, the temples, the library and the theatre where St. Paul had preached.

·      Dinner and an overnight will be at the hotel in Kusadasi town.

Day 19-5/30

 (B – D)

 Kusadasi / Samos / Kusadasi

·      After breakfast, transfer to port of Kusadasi.  Ferry to Isle of Samos. Following an hour journey from Kusadasi we arrive in Pythagorion at 10:00 hrs where you will stroll around to visit this beautiful town built on top of the ancient Samos and each stone witness its ancient past. Today it is a lovely picturesque port town, the most visited place on the island due to its history and beauty. You may visit the tiny souvenir shops located each side of the road leading down to the marina, or enjoy delicious Greek mezes, barbecued dried octopus and taramas in a small restaurants lined up along the coast before 12:30 hrs when you will meet your guide who will escort you to the rest of the island’s jewels awaits to be discovered. Our next stop will be the pottery center in Koumaradei Village. This is a perfect hands on activity you will never forget about. Here you will show your skills and who knows maybe you will make the best pottery, plate or tray to decorate your home or give them to one of your beloved ones as a present. Continuing on our tour to capital of Samos Island called Vathy also known as Samos Town where you will enjoy visiting the souvenir shops, small narrow streets shadowed by the out leant flowers from the neighboring gardens and local cafes along with family run restaurants. Of course not to mention about the wine museum and archeological museum to a have look at. Least but not last, we will drive you to the most tiny and cosy little once was an fishermen village called Kokkari is an exceptional beauty along the coast with a small church, lots of cafes and restaurants, is a perfect spot to refresh and get rid of the day’s loads off of your shoulders. Here you will have free time to wonder the narrow colorful streets and visit the church, shop for beloved ones and of course have a coffee before heading back to Pythagorion. Ferry back to Kusadasi. Upon arrive in Kusadasi transfer to our hotel

·      Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 20-/5/31

 (B)

Kusadasi / Izmir / ……

·      After breakfast, there will be a departure transfer from our hotel to Izmir to the airport for our direct flight to Athens or Istanbul for connecting flight to…usa

• Hotel accommodation at  select hotels 4and 5 star hotels
• Private Sightseeing tours as per above itinerary
• Entrance fees of the specified museums in the itinerary
• Meals as specified each day
• Transportation in  air-conditioned, deluxe vehicle
• Border crossing with licensed bus
• Private English speaking professional tour guide throughout the tour
• Tips for hotels and restaurants
• Return Regular Ferry ticket to Samos
• Half Day Tour of Samos Island
• Port Tax All taxes and tolls parking etc

Supplement

for the flight  internal  in turkey  is  euro 80-100  per person we cannot tell you now as the flights can change till moment we will buy the tickets 

•  Flight tickets (International & National)
  
  
• Drinks and meals not listed in the itinerary
• All personal expenses
• Porterage at hotels
• Tips for the tour guides and drivers.