12 Day Historical Tour of Turkey, Greece & Italy
This tour encompasses so many historical locations throughout three countries of Europe. Travel on this tour and have the camera ready!
You may choose any dates to travel on this tour.
Day 1
Arrive in Istanbul, Greece.
Day 2
Enjoy a walking tour in Istanbul – Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, St Sophia (1000 years old, the largest church in Christendom), Istiklal and the Grand Bazaar. Stay 1 night.
Day 3
Check out and travel to Canakkale. On the way there, visit Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine Memorial and ANZAC Cove. One night's accommodation in Canakkale.
Day 4
Transfer to Canakkale Airport and connect with flight to Izmir.
On arrival we travel to Bergama and visit the Church of Pergamum: see the Acropolis, Altar of Zeus – referenced as Throne of Satan in the book of revelation. Visit the Red Basilica and drive to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia – visit the basilica remains and see the architectural ruins from the Roman period and enroute back to Izmir view Smyrna, Turkeys 3rd biggest city. Smyrna – one of the 7 churches of Asia. Stay three nights in Izmir.
Day 5
Visit the Temples of Artemis and of Cybele – goddess of fertility – Lydian house before continuing to Philadelphia and Alasehir, another church of the 7 churches of Asia and the only church that was not censured and see the ruins of a Byzantine church. Onward to the healing city of Hierapolis, now Pamukkale and the ‘white cotton fortress’ where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools. Visit the place of martyrdom of the Apostle Philip and continue to Laodicea – one of the 7 churches of Asia minor and view the basilica remains and see the old stone water pipes.
Day 6
Again Ephesus – one of the 7 churches of Asia – the church of St John, tour of the ancient ruins and visit the House of the Virgin Mary. St Paul preached to the Ephesians and spent his last 3 years here.
Day 7
Transfer to Izmir airport (1 hour) and connect with a flight to Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki city tour – Paul preached here and wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians. (Option: Could also spend the next day in/around Thessaloniki and visit Phillipi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe – to Macedonia – Paul baptised the first Christian women in Europe, the Roman Forum where Paul and Silas were thrown and Kavala where Paul, Silas and Timothy first set foot in Europe……). 1 night's accommodation in Thessaloniki.
Day 8
Flight to Athens this morning. In the afternoon, city orientation sights including a guided tour of the Acropolis. Stay 2 nights in Athens.
Day 9
Corinth Tour: visit the ruins of the ancient city and view the great Corinth canal – connecting the Peloponnese. Paul met with Jewish refugees from Rome during his stay in Corinth. He sought out two of them, Aquila and Prisca, because they were tent makers like him. He asked if they work together as associates. Aquila and Prisca also became key leaders of the young Christian church.
Day 10
Morning sights and guided tour of the Acropolis. Travel to Rome and stay three nights.
Day 11
Papal Audience and sightseeing including St Peters, The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
Day 12
Day trip to Pompeii. Visit Pompeii about 90 minutes’ drive to the south of Rome your will find the partially buried city of Pompeii. Cover in Ash and Pumice from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius near 2000 years ago.
Day 13
Travel home.
