Discover biblical Türkiye & Greece with Jerry Koehl and friends. Tour all seven churches of the Book of Revelation and follow Paul's second missionary journey through Greece. All along the way, study the Word on location and gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament and the spread of the Gospel westward through Europe. 

June 2:  Arrive Izmir Airport (ADB) any time.

We will provide complimentary group airport transfer from the airport to the hotel at a time to be determined once flights become available ~10 months prior to the trip.

June 11:  Depart Athens any time. Breakfast is included today.

There is one complimentary airport transfer from the hotel to the Athens airport at a time to be determined.

Custom Air Requests 

If you would like assistance purchasing flights for this trip other than the group air reservation, you can obtain personalized quotes here:  

https://form.jotform.com/243575958268273 

We do not advise you to buy air until your trip reaches a minimum number of 15 participants.

Enjoy stays at the following 4 & 5* hotels or similar:

Kaya Thermal Hotel, Izmir
Doga Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale
Hotel, Kusadasi
Grand Palace Hotel or similar, Thessaloniki
Grand Meteora Hotel or similar, Kalambakka
Stanley Hotel or similar, Athens

Depart for Izmir, Türkiye on overnight flights.

Arrive Izmir. Check-in to your hotel, meet your guide and travel companions, and enjoy your first dinner together.

Hotel: 2 nights at Kaya Thermal Hotel in Izmir, Türkiye

We begin our Seven Churches Tour with two churches today: Pergamum & Thyratira.

Pergamum, reached by cable car, 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). 

Visit three of the seven churches today, Smyrna, Sardis, and Philadelphia. We will also visit a city significant to the early church, Hieropolis.

Smyrna is 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 (Rev 3:7-13). 

Afterwards, we visit the ruins of Hieropolis, a city significant in the early church. At the edge of this ancient city you will find the beautiful natural phenomena of the travertines, which are pools of thermal-spring-fed water on striking white cliffs made of calcium deposits. Relax and wade in the pools to end your day.

Hotel: 1 night Doga Hotel, Pamukkale

Visit the last of the seven churches today, Laodicea, where Christ rebuked the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22), and Ephesus.

We then 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. 

Hotel 1 night at Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi, or similar    

This morning we'll transfer to the Izmir Airport to fly to Thessaloniki, Greece (flight included).

Check into the hotel in Thessaloniki, your home in Northern Greece for the next two nights.

Hotel: 2 nights at the Grand Palace Hotel, 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 landscape of Meteora and admire the medieval monasteries perched atop its cliffs.

Hotel: 1 night Grand Meteora Hotel or similar, Kalambakka, Greece

Explore the legendary Acropolis and marvel at the Parthenon before standing on Mars Hill, where the Apostle Paul once preached to the Athenians.

Hotel: 2 nights Stanley Hotel or similar, Athens, Greece

Walk through the ruins of ancient Corinth, a city known for its wealth and cultural influence in the time of Paul. Explore the agora, where ancient marketplaces thrived. Spot what is thought to be the shop of Priscilla and Aquilla and decide for yourself.

Fly home from Athens with life-changing memories.