Biblical Tours Turkey Greece
Biblical Jewels of Turkey and Greece Tour – 14 Days 13 Nights
Tour Code: CS-BT04
Highlights: Istanbul Seven Churches Patmos Crete Santorini Athens Meteora Delphi – Cruise in Greek Islands
Duration: 14 Days/13 Nights
Tour Price: From $2275 per person, Double Occupancy Seat in Coach Tour(Deadline one month prior of each departure)
Quick Overview
These unique Christian Tour packages combine the footsteps of St. Paul with cruising in Greece and Turkey. Participants have the opportunity to thoroughly explore a vast part of continental Greece, as well as get a glimpse of some characteristic Greek islands while on our 3-day cruise.
DAY 01 Sunday – Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02 Monday – Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour
After breakfast begin full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace (harem section is optional), ancient Roman Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia. Continue Sultanahmet tour with the Blue Mosque and stop at Grand Covered Bazaar and will have free time to discover 4000 tiny shops in the passageways of the world largest covered bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L)
Day 03 Tuesday – Half Day Morning Bosphorus Cruise
Visit the Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar). Then join a boat excursion on the Bosporus on a shared tour. Enjoy viewing Ottoman palaces, Bosporus Bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions and the European and Asian shorelines at the same time. Free afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 04 Wednesday- Ephesus and Leaodicea
Early morning transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Izmir. Arrive and meet with your guide. Drive to Ephesus, one of the “Seven Churches of Revelation”. Visit to St. John Basilica and the last abode of Virgin Mary at Mount Solmissos. After lunch, continue to Leodicea a Crossroads of the ancient World. Overnight stay in Pamukkale. (L, D)
Day 05 Thursday- Pamukkale, Sardis Philadelphia and Thyatira
In the morning, we visit the ancient city of Hierapolis home of Philip the Evangelist. Have a break at the calcium terraces of Pamukkale later on precede to Philadelphia. The youngest of the “Seven Churches of Revelation”, visit the still standing remains of an early church and the city walls Lunch on the way. In the afternoon visit, ancient city and ruins of the famous church of Sardis the ancient Lydian capital. Later on the remains of the church of Thyatira then drive to Pergamon where we overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 06 Friday– Pergamon, Smyrna
Depart for Pergamon (Bergama). Visit the Church of Pergamon, the red-court, Acropolis, after lunch; we drive to Smyrna (Izmir), recipient of a letter from St Paul praising the early believers for their faithfulness. Visit St. Polycarp Church and a short tour of the city Overnight stay in Kusadasi (B, L)
Day 07 Saturday – Kusadasi -Patmos Crete – Greek Island Cruise
Early morning, you’ll be transferred to the Kusadasi port to embark on your Greek Island Cruise. The first port of call is Patmos, the tiny, rocky island where the exiled St. John the Divine received the Revelation upon which the last book of the New Testament is based. You will have panaromic Patmos tour. The picturesque alleyways wind upwards, towards the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1088 by St. Christodoulos. The visit will open the doors for you of the Monastery’s yard, the place where the monks take their meals and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is the tour of the Byzantine Church of St. John, which is adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods, with both mosaic and other icons. Next stop, the small museum which hosts religious treasures of inestimable value, like manuscripts, medieval textiles, sacerdotal vestments and others.Walking down the stairs, the religious energy that you will experience is soul touching. Behind the chapel of St. Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. You will see the cross engraved by St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, the triple fissure in the wall of the cave, from where St. John heard God dictating to him the Apocalypse. And also the spot where he lay down to sleep(entrance fees not included on panaromic tours) Dinner and overnight onboard, while you sail to Crete. (B, L, D)
Day 08 Sunday- Crete and Santorini (Cruise)
This morning you arrive at Heraklion, the capital of ancient Crete. At noon, your cruise continues to the Santorini, the most spectacular of the Greek Islands, whose town of Thira is perched on a cliff created by volcanic eruption. You will have panaromic tour at Santorini island. First we head to the picturesque village of Megalochori where you will have the chance to enjoy the typical architecture of the island. Then the drive continues to the east, in the background, you have settlements like Kamari and Monolithos, while you will pass through Fira, the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli with delicate architecture and beauties, to eventually arrive at the settlement of Oia. During the entire route, to the west you will have before your eyes the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea and Nea Kameni and an unsurpassable panoramic view. In Oia you will have plenty of time to stroll through the marble-paved alleys, to gaze at the adorably cute shops, to take pictures, to become acquainted with the characteristic buildings, carved into the rocks and the unusual captains’ manors, the settlement Ammoudi at the foot of the caldera… After your curiosity has been sated of the area which is characterized as being of “exceptional natural beauty”, your return begins …(entrance fees not included on panaromic tours) … (B, L, D)
Day 09 Monday- Piraeus, Athens
After breakfast, you disembark your cruise ship at Piraeus port, transfer to your hotel in Athens. Free afternoon. (B)
Day 10 Tuesday- Athens- Delphi
Driving through the region of Beotia, and passing by Thebes and Levadia, our guide will explain to you about the famous myths like Oedipus, and about the first evidence for the appearance of man dated 12.000 years B.C. We will pass by the picturesque village of Arachova, built on the slopes of Parnassus, well-known for its hand-made carpets, where we will make a short stop. We will arrive in Delphi, “the Navel of the Earth”. Here we will visit the Museum with the famous bronze Charioteer, the statue of Antinoos, the athlete Aghias and the site in which you will admire the Ancient Sanctuary and all the renowned ruins of the “Omphalos”, (Navel) of the Ancient world. Afternoon free. Dinner & overnight in Delphi (B, D)
Day 11 Wednesday- Delphi to Kalambaka
Morning free. Departure from Delphi, driving through the city of Lamia while passing by numerous picturesque villages and small towns of Central Greece. Dinner & overnight in Kalambaka (B, D)
Day 12 Thursday – Meteora – Athens
Visit of the well-known Meteora with its Byzantine Monasteries constructed on top of huge rocks, which seem to be
suspended in mid-air.In the afternoon return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae (visit the Leonida’s Monument) and Kammena Vourla. Stay overnight in Athens (B)
Day 13 Friday- Half day Athens tour
Drive by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square, the Pan Athenian Stadium and see the Presidential, government buildings and elegant homes. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue, Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, National Library and Omonia Square. In contrast, we visit the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus and the crowning beauty and glory that were Athens, the Acropolis with its many monuments atop its rocky base. We also visit the Acropolis Museum. Return to hotel at noon. Overnight in Athens.(B)
Day 14 Saturday- Athens Departure
Transfer to Athens International Airport for departure flight back home. (B)
Semi Private Tour Prices
| Number of | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-7 | 8-10 |
| Per Person Person Twin Share | $2600 | $2450 | $2390 | $2350 | $2275 |
- Above Third person price valid for triple rooms and Cabin. If required a single room there will be additional cost
Departure Every Sunday from April to November
P.S: For group requirements, other languages are available on demand.
WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Accommodations at 4-Star Hotels*
- Domestic flight ticket from Istanbul to Izmir
- 3-day/2-nights Greek Island cruise in standard IB cabin**
- Shore excursions in Kusadasi, Heraklion and Santorini islands (seat in coach)
- Meals as specified in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Services of a professional English-speaking escort/guide
- Transportation by non-smoking, air-conditioned mini/midi bus
- Sightseeing tours (including entrance fees) per itinerary
- Hotel taxes and services charges
- Cruise Port taxes ($ 141 per person)
*Upgrade to 5-Star or Boutique Hotels available (rates on request)
** Cabin upgrade available (rates on request)
NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities to tour and cruise staffs and guides
- All items of a personal nature (laundry, taxis, travel insurance, etc.)
- Beverages (except for those served with breakfast).
- International Flight Ticket
