Arrive Izmir any time. Our tour begins this evening with a welcome dinner and orientation meeting.

Hotel: 2 nights Kaya Thermal Hotel in Izmir.

Visit two of the seven churches today, Pergamon & Thyratira. Pergamon is the church that Christ affirmed and rebuked (Revelation 2:12-17) with His famous statement “where Satan has his throne."   Pergamon (Acropolis) was the capital of a Hellenistic kingdom of that name, which ruled western Asia Minor. Then, head to Akhisar, ancient Thyatira,  birthplace of Lydia and of the New Testament Jezebel. The church at Thyatira was praised for its growing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel (Revelation 2:18-28). 

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

After breakfast, drive to Agora, (biblical Smyrna) a city founded in 3,000 BC and one of the Seven Churches that John referred to as the poor and persecuted church that God announced was rich (Revelation 2:8-11). We will then visit Sardis, an ancient militarily strong city located along an important highway and among the fertile plains of Hermus (Geldiz River). Although Sardis  was a powerful and wealthy city with a reputation for being alive, God announced that it was actually dead (Revelation 3:1-6). We will go to the modern city of Alasehir and visit the site of ancient Philadelphia,  the church that received God's highest praise (Revelation 3:7-13).  Visit  the ancient city and church of Laodicea, where the apostle John rebuked the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22). 

Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Visit the ancient city and church of Laodicea, where the apostle John rebuked the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22).  Drive to Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the New Testament (Revelation 2:1-7). The apostle Paul came here in 53 AD. and according to tradition the apostle John wrote his gospel here. Visit the archaeological site and the burial place of John. 

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Transfer to Izmir, Turkey, to fly to Thessaloniki, Greece.  Check into the hotel in Thessaloniki, your home in Northern Greece for the next two nights.

Hotel: 2 nights  Capsis Hotel or similar, Thessaloniki

Visit Kavala, biblical Neapolis, where Paul first set foot on European soil. Tour the ruins of Phillippi and gain a deeper understanding of the society to which Paul wrote the epistle and how the Gospel spread through Europe. Have an opportunity to be baptized in the river at the site where Paul baptized Lydia or share in others' joy as they are baptized.

Tour the ruins of ancient Thessaloniki before moving on to Berea. In Berea see the Bema seat of Paul and visit the synagogue and Jewish Quarter.  Enjoy scenic driving through the other-worldly scenery of the Meteora region and the amazing clifftop monasteries they are famous for.

Hotel:  1 night  Grand Meteora Hotel or similar,  Kalambakka 

Drive to Athens today. This afternoon tour the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his famous sermon.  

Hotel:  2 nights  Stanley Hotel or similar, Athens

Walk through the ruins of ancient Corinth, a city known for its wealth and cultural influence in the classical era. Explore the agora, where ancient marketplaces thrived.  Visit the port town of Cenchreae, where the Apostle Paul departed for Ephesus, concluding his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18) and the ruins disintegrate into the sea.

Fly home from Athens with life-changing memories.